Part 1: EA Sports College Football principal game designer Ben Haumiller joins Alex and Richard for a discussion of the upcoming CFB video game, with a focus on Dynasty mode and lessons learned from last year’s long-awaited return.

* What EA learned from the best-selling sports game of all time

* The easier and more difficult parts of releasing a second game

* How the new game will (and, most importantly, won’t) include microtransactions

* Real-life coaches and how they’ll change the dynasty experience

* Addressing to Alex’s specific complaints about the coach carousel

* Balancing the competing desires of having a realistic game, but also a game in which UMass can eventually sign a bunch of five-stars

* Getting the transfer portal and recruiting right

* The challenges of keeping up with a sport that is endlessly changing, especially the playoff system

Part 2 of our discussion with Ben, coming later this week, is a listener Q&A just for our SplitZoneDuo.com subscribers. We’d love to have you!

Come see us live at the Sports Podcast Festival on August 23 in Raleigh. Use code SPF25 for a buy-one, get-one-half-off deal: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/78691649/the-2nd-annual-sports-podcast-festival-raleigh-the-rialto

Cool stuff from Split Zone Duo’s partners

* Use SZD20 for 20% off your first order at Homefield.

* Enter your favorite CFB road trip at our Nokian Tyres landing page, and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win free tires.

Production: Anthony Vito.