EA Sports` upcoming college basketball game aims to be incredibly comprehensive, with an ambitious goal to feature `all 350 programs` within the sport. This expansive vision was passionately articulated by EA CEO Andrew Wilson during a recent quarterly earnings call, where he expressed his strong desire to see such widespread inclusion.
According to reports from Insider Gaming, Wilson was specifically questioned about the company`s recent announcement regarding the new college basketball title, marking its return after a 16-year absence. While remaining somewhat reserved on intricate details, Wilson clearly conveyed his aspiration to mirror the all-encompassing approach taken with EA Sports College Football.
“We`d love to do the same for basketball,” Wilson stated. “All 350 programs, men`s and women`s teams, the iconic traditions and rivalries, and of course, March Madness.”
A definitive launch date for EA`s new college basketball game has not yet been officially confirmed. However, a memo obtained by Extra Points indicated a potential release window in 2028. The most recent installment in the series was NCAA Basketball 10, which came out in 2009. The franchise initially began its journey in 1998 under the title NCAA March Madness 98, only adopting the “NCAA Basketball” moniker for its final two iterations.
In contrast to the relatively unchallenged position of EA Sports College Football, EA`s re-entry into the college basketball gaming market might encounter competition. There are indications that 2K Sports is also in the process of developing its own standalone college hoops game. Nevertheless, 2K`s reported objective for its College Hoops franchise appears to be more limited in scope, reportedly aiming to include only approximately 100 men`s and women`s programs.