EA Sports Announces OVAC Football 14

A big wish came true earlier today for local gamers as Electronic Arts announced the development of their new sports video game OVAC Football 2014, which will shine the spotlight on local high schools. Just like other games released by EA Sports this generation, OVAC Football will be released for Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii U. The cover (right) will feature Martins Ferry standout ball hog Darrius Waterford. EA spokesperson Fritz Haynes says the company hopes that the new series will spark an interest in American football in international markets.

"OVAC Football showcases the true beauty of American football," said Haynes. "The traditions of the various high schools, the competitiveness and the local pride is unchallenged. We hoped to showcase this in the game."

OVAC Football will introduce a number of new features and game modes new to EA football games. Similar to the 'Road to Glory' mode in the NCAA Football series and the 'Superstar' mode in the Madden series, this game will introduce the 'Jock' game mode, which allows players to take control of an up and coming pop-warner star. The player will then be automatically be assigned a high school based on where they live. An option to entice the player's parents to divorce will also be included, allowing the user to change schools. Mini-games to improve the player's abilities include making your cheerleader girlfriend cry in front of the entire hallway and embarrassing less athletic students during gym class.

"We're very proud to introduce 'Jock mode'," said Haynes. "It really captures what it's like to be a high school football stand-out."

Another new game mode will give players the option to assume the role of a middle-school student fan on the sidelines. In this mode one can play a watered-down version of football with their friends while they are at the game, at the same time being berated by older fans who are 'just trying to watch the damn game.' A scrapped game mode would have let the player assume the role of a student in the marching band, but EA had to toss the idea fearing a rating change by the ESRB.

"In order to capture the full spirit of being in the band, we would have to add some...questionable things," Haynes said. "And if we added said 'things' our rating would have changed from 'E for Everyone' to 'M for Mature'."

OVAC Football 14 is set to hit shelves on July 17th.