EA Brings Female Players to 'FIFA 16'; Release Date, Gameplay & Trailer Here!

EA Sports announced on May 28, 2015 that female players will be included for the first time in the upcoming game "FIFA 16" video game.

Polygon reported that a press preview event was conducted and reporters were able to play as part of either team USA or Germany. The character models are unique compared to the male version, but the gameplay is generally the same. The female teams are limited to 12 international groups only, compared to "FIFA 15" which featured over 30 leagues for the men, so gamers should not expect any domestic or college leagues. The options will include USA, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Italy, England, Canada, China, Australia, France and Sweden.

Nick Channon, FIFA 16 producer, said, ""For us, it was more about getting the most of the best players. The international women's game is big. Obviously that's where the best players are. We wanted to start there."

Channon also told Polygon that women's teams may not be pitted against men's teams, to maintain the authenticity of the game. A number of the best female players have been scanned to be featured in the game, including Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe. BBC.com also revealed that Steph Houghton, the captain for England, as well as her teammates, were also presented on the game.

Houghton said about the new game, "Hopefully it will help raise the profile of the women's game even further."

According to Channon, EA Sports planned to introduce the female players the proper way and feature unique bodies with the correct female body type. The game developer focused on hair animation, considering how female players usually have ponytails or long hair. The same effect has been done on male players with long locks.

An EA spokesperson mentioned that Women's National Teams will be available in Online Friendly Matches, Kick Off, an Offline Tournament, Skill Games and Match Day. However, there are no ultimate team modes or career modes for the female version.

Channon added that they have to observe what happens and get feedback after gamers get to play FIFA 16 before identifying the changes that need to be made.

The introduction of female players was properly made in time for the FIFA Women's World Cup, which will commence in Canada early in June 2015. Perhaps EA finally considered the Change.Org petition that requested the company to include women teams and players to "FIFA".

"FIFA 16" will launch on September 22, 2015.