Former Students Contribute To New College Football Video Game
Seven Aggies helped create EA Sports' College Football 25, which features Kyle Field, the Aggie War Hymn, Yells and Reveille.
Ashley St. John ’17, left, and Grace Arenas Strittmatter ’04 pose for a photo at the EA office in Orlando in June.
EA SPORTS College Football 25 released today, the first college football video game since EA’s NCAA Football 14 in 2013. Seven former Texas A&M University students — Gracie Arenas Strittmatter ’04, Joel Heath ’05, Schaefer Mitchell ’12, Mat Suarez ’15, Ashley St. John ’17, Anantha Natarajan Santhana Srinivasan ’20 and Cassie Mullins ’22 — contributed to the creation of the game.
The contributing Aggies had a range of roles, including technical artistry, environmental artistry, software engineering and studio leadership. However, most of the Aggies had the opportunity to contribute to work related specifically to Texas A&M University. St. John and Mullins contributed work to the Kyle Field environment, Srinivasan worked on Corps of Cadets uniforms and the Parsons Mounted Cavalry Spirit of ’02 cannon, and Strittmatter and Heath helped with feedback and reference on traditions, yells and history.
A still from College Football 25’s official reveal trailer showing fans in Kyle Field.
“Having attended as many home games as I could as a student made working on Kyle Field that much more enjoyable. I definitely felt the pressure to get it right,” St. John said. “Hopefully we succeeded in capturing the Spirit of Aggieland.”
The contributing Aggies expanded on how their experience at Texas A&M prepared them for working on the game. “As an international student, I was overwhelmed when I came to pursue an education in the visualization industry. Texas A&M made me feel like home.” Srinivasan said. “The education I received and the collaboration with fellow students at the [visualization] department helped me realize and achieve my dreams. I never imagined I would be working in the games industry and on one of the most iconic games of all time.”
The game allows players to play across 134 FBS teams, including in unique stadiums and Dynasty and Road to Glory game modes, where players can create a coach or player, respectively, according to EA’s website.
Traditions, the Aggie War Hymn, Yells and Reveille are all included in the game for Texas A&M. There is even an option to stripe the stands of Kyle Field in red, white and blue, explained Heath.
“I know us Aggies definitely paid special attention to all things A&M!” Mullins said.
The contributing Aggies met for a photo over Zoom in June. The group is spread out over Oregon, Texas, Georgia, Florida and Amsterdam.
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