What to know about CFB25’s Dynasty Mode, Road To Glory and, Ultimate Team

EA Sports College Football 25 is one step closer to its grand return after an 11-year absence, as EA Sports on Friday revealed additional information about the game by announcing game modes, gameplay details and other features to go along with a trailer.

Here’s what you need to know about what’s in the game.

Game modes

The classic Dynasty Mode is back. In this mode, players create a coach, pick one of the 134 FBS programs, establish a coaching staff and build from there. Recruiting will encompass both high school prospects and the transfer portal for the first time. Players can also create a new school through Team Builder.

Road To Glory is also back and will involve creating an individual player and going through their college career. Players will have to manage their weekly schedule, GPA and image, as well as earn Coach Trust to get more playing time. Players will also have the option of entering the transfer portal.

One new mode is called Road To The College Football Playoff, an online format that will be playable across consoles. EA describes this feature as such: “Will you represent your university, or take a power school to climb the polls? Earn rank by upsetting the toughest opponents and securing the votes you need to progress and level up divisions. Play your way into the playoffs and battle for the National Championship.”

The game will also add a full version of Ultimate Team, which is a common feature in other sports video games and will also be playable across consoles. In this mode, players can build teams of stars and legends. In NCAA Football 14, only former college players were available in Ultimate Team. Building a team involves winning or purchasing in-game credits.

Gameplay

The new game will debut new in-game features known as “CampusIQ,” including the “Wear & Tear System,” where player ratings can change as the hits add up. Game players will need to manage their rosters’ health, limit fatigue and make substitution decisions. There will also be Pre-Snap Recognition, which EA Sports says will involve reading the game and making the right decisions. The classic home-field advantage is also back: Depending on the quality of the crowd, game players could encounter distractions like screen shaking, missing pre-play icons and moving play art for road teams.

ESPN will serve as the in-game broadcaster. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will call marquee games, while other games will be called by Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and David Pollack.

Schools submitted thousands of assets to EA Sports over the last three years, including uniforms, crowd chants, stadium shots, rivalry trophies and more, in efforts to make the most realistic college football game ever. Notably, EA Sports’ announcement on Friday did not mention the use of name, image and likeness and any role that could play in the game. Of course, pay-for-play is still not allowed by NCAA rules. EA confirmed Friday that the Play A Friend, Road to the CFP and Ultimate Team online modes will be playable across platforms.

As announced Thursday, the game will be released on July 19 on PlayStation 5 and XBox Series X/S, with three-day early access for pre-ordering the deluxe version of the game.

(Screenshots courtesy of EA Sports)