Mid-Summer ritual: EA releases NCAA Football 13

Besides the Mid-Summer Classic, today was also notable in the sports world for something else. EA Sports released the newest version of its college football video game franchise: NCAA Football 13. (Apparently, EA stopped using the full year after the 2005 version.)

As a fan of the series (it represents two of the three games I own for my PS3: 11 and 12), did I buy it? Hell no.

Curious, I checked the franchise’s webpage last night — which was when I realized it was being released today. I watched a couple videos about the new features and was happy to see the Hawkeyes raising Floyd of Rosedale among the new “Sights and Sounds.” (I hope that happens on September 29, but I think EA snubbed the Gophers after the last couple years.) I read about the additions and changes, but all of it was a tease for next year because, frankly, buying the game every year is not worth it.

Seriously. EA Sports makes bank every year for releasing what is essentially the same game. Sure, there are a few improvements and changes, the players (supposedly not modeled after their real-life versions) are different/improved, and every year it gets a little more realistic, but it is the same thing year after year.

It is a common complaint leveled against EA, but there are many fans who gladly spend $50-60 (however much it costs) year after year. Good for them. I, however, am saving my money for another year. I buy every other version. (The only reason why I have 11 is because it was a gift. People just do not get me. I will say, though, it seems the odd numbered years feature a lot more changes than the even numbered versions. That is only my assumption — 11 is the only odd numbered version I have owned since 200_ — but every year I like to check for the hell of it.)

In the meantime, at least until NCAA Football 14 is released in one year, I will be enjoying 12. I have built San Jose State into a perennial powerhouse and have won three straight national championships. That’s right: the lowly San Jose State Spartans. The last championship was secured after I increased the difficulty level to All-American, a 20-17 win over TCU. (The Heisman level — the hardest — is just insane. I respect anyone who has even tried playing a season at the Heisman level.) I am still playing in the WAC, so I have thought about taking advantage of the custom conference feature to jump to the Pac-12.