Here's Why A Copy Of NCAA Football 14 Is So Expensive

The coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns have affected entertainment consumption practices in several ways. Movies scheduled to release during the quarantine have either been pushed back or launched on streaming services. GameStop defied closure orders and paid the price. An overwhelming demand for tabletop miniatures made stock prices soar for Games Workshop and eclipse those of British gas giants. Now, you can add sky-rocketing prices for old sports games to the list.

Recently, gamers have started talking about NCAA Football 14. A lot. The game was trending on Twitter, and sites such as Lukie Games are selling copies for $160+ a pop. Meanwhile, eBay has NCAA Football 14 discs ranging from $20 to $190 each.

Normally, fans of football games flock to the latest version with the most up-to-date roster, so what is with the fervor for a game that is seven years out of date and not backwards compatible?

EA hasn't released a single NCAA Football title since 2013, so there's no such thing as a new copy. Moreover, the company can't sell digital copies, so the physical discs for sale are the only copies available — period. As demand for a product increases but supply dwindles, prices increase. As demand ceases and supply grows, prices decrease. Since EA can't make more supply, prices can only go up.

In 2013, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) opted not to renew EA's license to create NCAA video games. This decision followed separate lawsuits filed by Ed O'Bannon and Sam Keller centered on anti-trust laws and the compensation of college athletes for the use of their names, images, and likenesses in video games.

Essentially, NCAA prices have skyrocketed because EA can't make and sell more copies of NCAA Football 14. In addition, NCAA Football 14's review scores compared to Madden NFL 20, mixed with general nostalgia and a desire for the last game in a franchise, are driving up demand.

Here's hoping you saved your Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.