The anticipated return of an EA Sports college basketball game appears to be off the table. Reports indicate that EA Sports is informing universities and athletic conferences that it will not proceed with the game`s development, primarily because several institutions have opted to accept proposals from 2K Sports for their own college basketball title.
Sean O`Brien, EA Sports` Vice President of Commercial Partnerships and Licensing, communicated in a letter that the company is “disappointed that we all couldn’t find an acceptable path forward.” This development comes after EA announced the revival of its NCAA Basketball series in June, a full 16 years after its last installment. O`Brien specifically attributed the cancellation to the involvement of 2K Sports.
O`Brien explained that “given there are some schools choosing to accept the 2K Sports proposal for inclusion in NBA 2K, the offer to be included in a college basketball video game will unfortunately have to be rescinded.” It was also noted that EA`s offer had sought exclusive rights and was favored by the Collegiate Licensing Company due to its comprehensive inclusion of 730 men`s and women`s teams.
Uncertainty surrounds 2K`s approach, with speculation about whether they will integrate college teams into the existing NBA 2K series, release a dedicated standalone College Hoops 2K title, or perhaps begin with DLC before expanding. A July report suggested plans for a standalone game, with 2K Sports reportedly contacting prominent universities such as Michigan State and UCLA, aiming to include 100 men`s and women`s programs. In contrast, EA CEO Andrew Wilson had previously expressed a desire to include “all 350 programs” in EA`s college basketball offering.
EA`s last college basketball game was NCAA Basketball 10 in 2009, while 2K`s College Hoops series last saw an entry with College Hoops 2K8 in 2007.
Only recently, O`Brien had indicated that EA`s college basketball game was far from ready for release. He also acknowledged the ambitious nature of the project, describing it as a “daunting task” but stating the company was “up for the challenge.”