E-Sports
Enriching the Gaming Experience With Microsoft
Gaming is a larger platform than film, TV, and music, forming a powerful media channel and opening vast opportunities for retail media and advertising. In this episode of The Garage, hosts Dan Masamino and Evan Hovorka sit down with Greg Carroll, general manager of gaming experiences at Microsoft Advertising, to explore the nexus of gaming […]
Gaming is a larger platform than film, TV, and music, forming a powerful media channel and opening vast opportunities for retail media and advertising.
In this episode of The Garage, hosts Dan Masamino and Evan Hovorka sit down with Greg Carroll, general manager of gaming experiences at Microsoft Advertising, to explore the nexus of gaming and retail media.
They explore the world of gaming advertising, showing how brands can create authentic engagements with audiences while preserving the integrity of the gaming experience. Take a deep dive into the potential of Microsoft’s ecosystem, which reaches over 3.4 billion gamers worldwide.
From sharing stories about small-town origins to exploring how to turn offline data into actionable insights, this episode of The Garage offers a clear look at how hyperlocal advertising can create new opportunities for brands, agencies, and retailers.
Episode highlights:
[05:26] The Evolution of Gaming — The evolution of how people interact with gaming and its relationship with advertisers, retail media, although new compared to films and TV has introduced the monetization of the industry. Greg discusses how he leverages different things to bring retail media to focus in this space while protecting the gamer. He shares how his expertise in advertising technology and passion for gaming merged to birth his journey.
[09:04] The Delicate Balance of Gaming Experience for Brands and Users — Enrich the experience and unlock something that people are passionate about and love. Greg describes the gaming space as one closest to sports. This strategy ensures the halo effect for brands and retailers and any disruptions to this experience can have negative consequences for both users and brands. Greg adds that the alignment of passions always creates a win-win situation.
[15:43] The Future of Gaming Marketing — Greg shares the importance of a multi-platform approach and the effectiveness especially in a mid-to-lower marketing process and how it helps brands reach gamers in relevant ways across board, highlighting The Prada Candy Crush partnership as one that showcases these interactive branded experiences. He explains that Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem offers a diverse range of interaction channels that optimize advertising performance and aligns messaging with gaming context and platform. He highlights The Prada Candy Crush partnership as one that showcases the effectiveness of interactive branded experiences.
[26:34] How Gaming Influences Community Building — The Covid-19 lockdowns validated how important gaming was as an escape, allowing gamers not just to associate but also socialize. Social gaming platforms recorded a massive surge in participation – it was an absolute boom for gaming according to Greg. The platform creates meaningful connections between people as well as shared experiences and this has transformed gaming. He says that with the engagement levels comparable to traditional sports, gaming communities require a nuanced understanding and respect to ensure successful marketing integration.
E-Sports
When Can You Play College Football 26? Full Launch Guide
We hope your calendar is clear for the upcoming week because EA Sports College Football 26 is just hours away from launching across the world. The wait is finally over for the second annual edition of one of the biggest sports gaming franchises, and this year, there is even more to immerse yourself in. With […]
We hope your calendar is clear for the upcoming week because EA Sports College Football 26 is just hours away from launching across the world. The wait is finally over for the second annual edition of one of the biggest sports gaming franchises, and this year, there is even more to immerse yourself in. With only a few more Saturdays left until College Football returns this fall, this release should help the wait go by much faster.
Last year’s release was one of the most impactful sports games releases in gaming history as it revitalized a series that had been abandoned for over ten years. This year’s title promises to bring even more excitement for fans. Let’s look at everything you need to know about the upcoming release of EA Sports College Football 26, including release times, changes, and how you can play the game early.
The early access window for College Football 26 begins on July 7th, allowing anyone from around the world to play the game three days early. Early access begins for everyone simultaneously across the world at the exact same time:
In order to gain early access to College Football 26, you must preorder the Deluxe Edition of the game or have an active EA Play subscription. The Deluxe Edition will cost you $99.99 ($30 more than the standard edition of the game).
The CFB 26 Regular and Deluxe Edition Covers have been revealed
https://t.co/qIYHZMybyC pic.twitter.com/v6hdpO1ivw
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 27, 2025
For those who do not purchase the Deluxe Edition, the worldwide release of College Football 26 will go live on July 10 across the world at the following times:
For a guide that walks you through how to install College Football 26 so that you can play it the second it goes live, check out our pre-download guide.
No, you cannot use a VPN to gain early access to College Football 26 because both the Early Access release and full game release will happen simultaneously worldwide. The only way you can play College Football 26 early is by purchasing the Deluxe Edition to obtain early access. Do not attempt to set your VPN to New Zealand because it will be pointless.
It is a world wide release everyone gets it at the same time https://t.co/XKD3JUcFEJ
— Is EA Sports College Football 26 Out (@IsItOutEa) July 6, 2025
EA Sports College Football 26 will be available exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Crossplay is enabled by default between these two consoles. For the first time ever, Dynasty crossplay is also enabled between these two platforms.
College Football 26 is back for another season
Prepare for new plays, players, and gameplay features with the reveal trailer: https://t.co/Z13Z0q35eK pic.twitter.com/1vSt5vvD4q
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) May 29, 2025
No, College Football 26 will not be available on either the Nintendo Switch 2 or PC. There is no plans at this time for the game to launch on either of these platforms.
Related Article: Full Content Creator Schedule for EA Sports College Football 26 Revealed
College Football 26 is bringing back their most iconic game modes and expanding upon them to create an immersive gameplay experience for every type of player. Here is a list of every game mode featured in EA Sports College Football 26:
Take the helm of your favorite program as either the Head Coach, or a coordinator. Recruit and develop players, cater to your fanbase, and establish a lasting college football legacy.
Create your own player and experience the journey from high school through college. Make decisions on NIL contracts, transfer portal, and GPA management to create your legacy.
Related Article: How to Become Five-Star Recruit on Road to Glory in College Football 26
Build your dream team with current players and legends from previous eras. Open packs, complete challenges, and challenge other players to establish your superiority.
Choose any matchup and play against your friends or the CPU. You can customize uniforms, game venue, game time, weather and more.
Take any team and face off against friends or climb the competitive leaderboards with skill-based ratings. This is the mode where you can truly prove you are the best player. Look for College Football esports to greatly expand alongside the Madden Championship Series as sports games continue to grow as a major esport. In the second year of development, we can anticipate a much more robust tournament selection and competitive ranking format.
Returning for the first time since 2014, take an entire team of mascots into the field of play in an exhibition-style mode.
In just a year, EA has managed to re-design several key elements that will drastically alter gameplay and environments. Here are some of the biggest changes and improvements coming to College Football 26:
Enhanced Blocking, Pass Rushing, and Coverage
Tackling is much simpler in College Football 26 with their new physics-based tackling system. Brand-new blocking mechanics allow players to manipulate the pocket in a way never seen before, while defenders can move offensive linemen to jam specific gaps. Utilize new stunts and twists to confuse an opponent’s offensive line.
Cool add from EA this year in College Football 26
There’s a TON of new plays in the game that have BUILT IN Defensive Line Stunts
This means that you won’t always have to tell your guys to Stunt, but ALSO, the CPU will call plays with Stunts against you! pic.twitter.com/6ZGMhXHodJ
— Civ (@MisterCiv) July 5, 2025
Expanded Playbooks
Playbooks and play-calling philosophies have been significantly expanded in College Football 26, featuring over 2,800 new plays. Playbooks are closely tailored to the identity of each program, making the gameplay experience different for every team.
New Athlete Archetypes and Abilities
New to College Football 26, athlete archetypes will cover a broader range of skillsets. Ten new archetypes have been added as well as a variety of new abilities to make player development and performance more reminiscent of a college athlete.
Real Coaches and Coordinators
Over 300 coaches and coordinators will have their likeness featured in College Football 26. Each coach has a distinctive playstyle and program identity that shapes gameplay and the Dynasty experience.
Coaches and Playbooks are getting a major upgrade in College Football 26!
for the first time ever, there will be over 300 real coaches in the game
you can go toe-to-toe with current coaches who bring distinctive
playstyles to the fieldEA says there’s going to be over 2,700… pic.twitter.com/IFo2t4bQDO
— Bordeaux (@bordeauxyoutube) May 29, 2025
Dynamic Substitutions
Using the new D-Pad substitution panel, you can make quick substitutions at the line of scrimmage. This allows you to play a no-huddle style of offense while keeping fresh players in the game, which was something you couldn’t do in College Football 25.
Quick example of how to use “On Field Substitutions” in College Football 26
Just flick the “D-Pad” Up, and you’ll be able to see the Wear and Tear for each player on the field! pic.twitter.com/4PsSVv0YlI
— Civ (@MisterCiv) July 6, 2025
E-Sports
How to Become Five-Star Recruit on Road to Glory in College Football 26
College football fans can rejoice as EA Sports College Football 26 has arrived for those who pre-ordered for early access. There are plenty of upgrades made to each of the modes in College Football 26 that will make 25 look like a starter pack. Updates have been made to key modes, including Ultimate Team, Dynasty […]
College football fans can rejoice as EA Sports College Football 26 has arrived for those who pre-ordered for early access.
There are plenty of upgrades made to each of the modes in College Football 26 that will make 25 look like a starter pack. Updates have been made to key modes, including Ultimate Team, Dynasty Mode, and Road to Glory.
This guide will focus on how gamers can turn their created player in Road to Glory into a hometown hero and a five-star recruit in high school. There will be decisions that must be made during high school that can have either positive or negative effects on the player’s early part of their playing career.
We have another guide that focuses solely on the college years and how to become a Heisman Trophy winner, positioning oneself to be the number one pick in the NFL Draft. Check out that article to see the ins and outs of college.
Related Article: EA Sports College Football 26 Overall Top Player Ratings Revealed
The first thing games will have to decide is which path during Road to Glory they want to take. There are four different options to pick from:
For those who start with paths like Elite or Blue Chip, it will be easier to attend a top college out of high school and give the player a leg up on the competition, allowing them to play in their freshman year. Contributor or Underdog will more likely mean getting into a smaller school if the player wants to start or go to a bigger school and sit for a year or two.
After picking whichever path the gamer wants to go through, there are now five positions to play with during Road to Glory:
Depending on the chosen position, there will be options for the archetype the gamer wants their players to be. Each position will have different choices, but for example, if the player is a quarterback, here are the archetypes to pick from:
Picking the right archetype is essential depending on what kind of ratings are most important to the gamer. If having a fast quarterback who can move in the pick is important, Backfield Creator and Pure Runner is more important. Pocket Passer is best for those who want to stay in the pocket and throw the ball timely. Dual Threat quarterbacks will have decent ratings for all, but not dominate in one particular.
Each of those Archetypes will have different Physical Abilities that come with it. For example, for those who pick Backfield Creator will have some of the following abilities:
After selecting an Archetype, gamers will be able to customize their players’ appearances. They will have four different categories to go into to change the player:
The final page will be the summary of the created player that will show the mentals and physicals of the players, the ratings and stats they will have, and the basic info the gamer provided. Once everything is agreed upon, it will be time to hop into action.
Related Article: Full Content Creator Schedule for EA Sports College Football 26 Revealed
When first completing the customization portion of Road to Glory, gamers will receive a weekly rankings update provided. This will display the player’s ranking nationally, statewide, and overall position. It will also display a bar graph showing where the player lands, ranging from one star to five stars. This will help games in knowing where they stand on a weekly basis and what they need to do to stay on pace to be a five-star recruit.
Players will first be interviewed by a local reporter, Alice Zimmer. She will ask a variety of questions that will influence the recruiting process. Questions will include what’s most important in a school, what are two other things the player is looking for in a school. This section of the game will help narrow down the college choices and which schools are best to select from.
The head coach of the high school team the player is playing for will appear next to explain the next steps in the mode. To start, the player will need to pick the top 10 schools he would like to be recruited by. These schools are subject to change throughout the season and are not finalized. Players can commit to a school anytime throughout the season and can also decommit before having to make a final decision at the end of the high school season.
When gamers are looking for which schools to add to their top 10 list, they can look at some key stats with each school. These stats will have a direct effect on which schools to pick from:
Players will also be able to track the school’s progress throughout the season. If a big school program is struggling, it could mean a starting job will open, but a lot of talent could leave for the portal after the season. If the team is winning, more of the top players are likely to stick around, but fighting for a starting job as a freshman could be tougher.
Depending on which of the biggest schools the player chooses, one head coach or multiple will appear with messages about trying to recruit the player. They will make their pitch to you on whether they can start for you or sit on the bench for a year and become a star. That star coach will periodically message the player throughout the season to share whether they are doing well enough to receive a scholarship offer from them, when scouts are coming to the game, or let them know they are entirely out of the running.
When it comes to playing the games, players will not be able to play the full games. Instead, they will select four options for moments before the game that they want to complete in the game. Each moment will have two drive goals with different point values to contribute towards the tape score. Each moment will also have a “School Tape Score Boost” that can vary depending on the school.
An example would be a quarterback picking “Option Merchant” as the moment. The quarterback can get 200 points from gaining 10+ yards on an option play and 50 points for not allowing a menacing linebacker to force a fumble or tackle for loss. Schools like Oregon and Texas might experience a threefold boost, while USC might only see a 1.3 times increase from completing the moment.
To maintain a five-star status, it’s essential for the player to consistently complete the moments at 100%. Failing moments could result in the player dropping a star as a recruit and might knock the player out of scholarship contention. There is an option to retry moments if the player fails to complete them immediately after they occur.
Each week, the player will receive multiple scholarship offers with usually the first couple of weeks being smaller schools. The last part of the high school year being the top schools in the country.
Other messages will pop up throughout the high school year, including a classmate asking if the player wants to study together for an exam. Another will ask whether they will go to homecoming. These decisions can impact either individual games or how schools perceive the player.
At the end of the season, the player will be forced to pick the final three schools of choice. The player will participate in an event at the school where they are three hats to pick from that will determine the school of choice. Gamers will have the option to fake out everyone with a first option, but must make one decision to pick the school they want to attend.
There’s so much more depth to Road to Glory that will make the mode a more fun experience. The added element to playing high school football was a big ask from gamers a year ago. Now, players will be able to control their own destiny in deciding where to attend college based on their performance.
With early access just around the corner, players have a chance to get familiar with the new settings and systems in CFB26 before the esports season kicks off.
Related Article: How to Pre-Download EA Sports College Football 26 Before the Game Releases
E-Sports
Eastern Michigan University Esports program launches first summer camp for youth
Teen killed, Detroit police officer injured in shooting and more top stories Teen killed, Detroit police officer injured in shooting and more top stories 04:00 A group of middle school students will learn the ways of Esports in Eastern Michigan University’s first summer youth camp. The five-day camp, July 14-18, will immerse students ages 11 […]
A group of middle school students will learn the ways of Esports in Eastern Michigan University’s first summer youth camp.
The five-day camp, July 14-18, will immerse students ages 11 to 14 in hands-on activities that mix gaming with developmental skills, such as teamwork and communication. According to a news release, the program will be run by EMU’s Esports student-athletes.
“We’re excited to bring esports and gaming education to the next generation,” said Zachary Lewis, coordinator of the EMU Esports program, in a statement.
EMU says the camp is the first in a series planned by the program, and there are plans for future sessions to include competitive gaming and content creation for high school students.
“This camp is about more than just gameplay—it’s about building a learning environment that helps students grow and develop in a safe, collaborative space. We also hope to engage families and educators in seeing the positive potential of esports as a structured, valuable discipline,” Lewis said.
E-Sports
Serious Play conference is coming to Rochester in August
St. John Fisher University is hosting the Serious Play Conference this August. The event explores how play and games are transforming education and other fields — but it also looks at how they can shape society at large. “Many of the games or interventions that are being presented on are being used for some type […]
St. John Fisher University is hosting the Serious Play Conference this August.
The event explores how play and games are transforming education and other fields — but it also looks at how they can shape society at large.
“Many of the games or interventions that are being presented on are being used for some type of social good,” Paul Darvasi, executive director of the Serious Play Conference said. “Whether it’s sort of creating more awareness around environmental issues, thinking more deeply about treating people in a better way through some kind of a game or initiative focusing on social and emotional learning,”
One of the draws to bring the conference to Rochester is the Strong National Museum of Play, but it’s not the only reason. Darvasi said the city is making a name for itself in the world of gaming.
“What we found is there’s lots of these pockets around the Rochester area where games are being used in a really interesting way,” he said.
Things like building relationships between youths and law enforcement through gaming competitions at the library, he said, and other initiatives that serve as more than mere entertainment.
“I think we even need more play because of the play poverty that I’m seeing in the world,” St. John Fisher University professor Ozge Kantas said, citing conflicts, confusion and burnout. “People are … losing their spontaneity, their well-being, their vitality, and they’re still trying to push themselves further. So … they’re losing contact with their human essence and their joy,”
Kantas, who teaches psychology and business, is one of more than 120 speakers scheduled to present at the three-day event. Her background working in kindergarten classrooms informs her approach to the field of play.
“We utilize those childlike skills of expanding, building and broadening … our capabilities through play, and interact (with) each other through play, that playfulness gets the core of everything, of productivity, innovation, peace, building,” she said. “Whether it is two little kids playing in a playground and fighting over a toy, or whether it is two nations fighting over the land, it is the same games that we play, whether we make peace or whether we make war with each other.”
The conference includes after-hours access to the Strong National Museum of Play, and an inaugural Serious Play Esports Summit at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s MAGIC Spell Studios. The goal of the summit is to explore the evolving landscape of esports in education and competitive gaming, according to organizers.
E-Sports
AI integration drives new approaches in Hawaii education
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in classrooms and at home, educators across Hawaii say the rise of personalized learning is beginning to reshape how students learn, and in some cases, whether they attend traditional schools at all. Justin Lai, an educational technologist at La Pietra — Hawai’i School for Girls, describes AI as a […]
E-Sports
Sheep Esports – LoL: Taiwan’s official LoL page is giving away 1.010 fried chicken thanks to CFO’s performance against T1
Already 1010 chicken filets given after just one series against T1 The official League of Legends Facebook page in Taiwan is using every possible means to support their last remaining representative at MSI. Before CTBC Flying Oyster’s first match against T1, they launched a challenge that only this region could dream up: for every kill […]
Already 1010 chicken filets given after just one series against T1
The official League of Legends Facebook page in Taiwan is using every possible means to support their last remaining representative at MSI. Before CTBC Flying Oyster’s first match against T1, they launched a challenge that only this region could dream up: for every kill CFO secured, ten fried chicken filets would be given out to a randomly selected person. And for each game win, that’s 100 more.
LoL Taiwan’s post on Facebook.
Currently, the post has gathered over 2,800 comments on Facebook. After all, the goal of the campaign is also to drive engagement. Only those who comment on the post — showing the most passion, fervor, and a good dose of humor for the LCP champion — will have a chance to win this chicken-themed giveaway. It’s worth noting that chicken filets hold a special place in Taiwanese street food culture. They’re a cheap, flavorful, indulgent bite — one you grab after work, after school, or, in this case, after a clutch teamfight.
An entire nation praying for a miracle lower bracket run
In their very first series of MSI 2025, CFO went up against none other than World Champions T1. Few expected them to put up much resistance. But CFO shocked the world — not just by winning two games off the favorites, but by racking up 81 kills across the series. That’s 810 filets from kills, plus 200 more from their two wins, bringing the total to a crispy, golden 1010 chicken filets.
A Reddit user documented the breakdown of “chicken earned” and “chicken given out,” attributing filets to individual players like fantasy points in a food-fueled stat sheet:
Chicken Earned (CFO Players):
- Driver: 50
- Rest: 40
- Junjia: 70
- HongQ: 280
- Doggo: 330
- Kaiwing: 40
Chicken Given Out (T1 Players):
- Doran: 210
- Oner: 160
- Faker: 210
- Gumayusi: 100
- Keria: 130
So far, Chiu “Doggo” Tzu-Chuan and Tsai “HongQ” Ming-Hong became Taiwan’s crispy kings, while T1’s solo lanes, Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon and Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, gave up the most. It is now up to CFO to make a deep run in the lower bracket and cover their home country with crispy chicken.
Header Photo Credit: Riot Games/Sheep Esports
– Clément Chocat –
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