Tomorrow marks the official release of EA Sports College Football 25, the long-awaited return of the console game last released as NCAA Football 14 in 2013.
The game’s debut on the latest console generation, Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, means a new experience for gamers including near-photo realistic graphics and an attention to the smallest details.
Toledo celebrates a touchdown in EA Sports College Football 25, the long-awaited return of the console game to be released Friday, July 19.
Play as the Toledo Rockets, for example, and you will see a Glass Bowl Stadium packed with fans recreated in exacting detail, on and off the field, from the football uniforms and team members (those who agreed to participate in the game) to the bricks and the architectural design of the iconic stadium.
There’s even the Bell Tower looming large in the background.
And for that Rockets can thank Kevin Taylor, UToledo’s brand and licensing manager, who spent three years providing countless details about Toledo Football and the University to EA Sports. When reviewing early screenshots of the game sent to him from EA Sports, Taylor noticed the iconic tower was nowhere to be seen, so he asked that the Bell Tower be added along with other suggestions for replicating a true-to-life game day experience.
“We have had various requests from EA Sports for as much detail about the uniqueness of Toledo Football as possible,” Taylor said. “This included stadium review, uniform and equipment review, and providing imagery unique to Toledo. Details went right down to the proper threading on the uniforms. All these requests aimed to achieve the most authentic college experience possible for the game’s players.”
Taylor said UToledo initially heard about the game in January 2021 from our licensing agency, CLC, and agreed to participate. Later that summer, Taylor and University photographer Dan Miller were in Glass Bowl Stadium taking hundreds of images to fully document all of its features – from the “Rocket Nation” banners adorning the north end zone to the view from the east side bleachers – for EA Sports, just as it was collecting for college football stadiums nationwide.
Taylor provided music assets a year later including the school fight song, the songs the band plays for first downs, third and fourth downs on defense and other songs played throughout game day in the Glass Bowl. Last summer, he approved the school uniforms to be used in the game, and in February, student-athletes were able to opt-in to have their name, image and likeness (NIL) included in the game and will receive $600 and a copy of the game as a baseline payment from EA Sports with the potential for more lucrative NIL opportunities.
Kevin Taylor, UToledo’s brand and licensing manager, spent three years providing countless details about Toledo Football, Glass Bowl Stadium and the University to EA Sports to help create a true-to-life game day experience for Rockets fans.
Other UToledo-specific elements to look for include the Rocket Marching Band and cheerleaders as well as photos of the Battle of I-75 trophy. But don’t look for the Touchdown Tank, the game day tradition that debuted last fall, he said.
“We provided photography of our unique game day experiences before the Touchdown Tank was revealed, so it would not be in the game.”
Taylor said EA Sports College Football 25 is another way to showcase UToledo to future Rockets and to connect with Rocket Nation.
“High school students may build an affinity for UToledo without ever stepping foot on campus and Rockets everywhere can experience Game Day in a new way,” he said. “It was an exciting project to work on as we showcase the Glass Bowl, Toledo Football and our unique college traditions to millions of fans around the world.”
Earlier this week, Interim President Matt Schroeder, Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan Blair and members of the Toledo football team had the chance to play EA Sports College Football 25, along with any Rockets who pre-ordered the game.
Blair said he was impressed by the game and how accurate it is – on and off the football field.
“The attention to detail is outstanding,” he said. “The Glass Bowl and game day atmosphere really comes to life. I know our football student-athletes are excited to play the game, as I’m sure many of our fans are as well. Thanks to all of our UToledo staff who helped make this not only a reality, but a resounding success.
“We are very excited about the release of the new EA Sports College Football 25 video game and the incredible exposure it will bring to our football program and our University,” Blair added. “The game is a cultural phenomenon and it’s amazing to see Toledo once again on this amazing stage.”
