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Fifa 16: EA Sports game to feature women for first time
Ever wanted to see Lionel Messi marked by Steph Houghton? You soon can thanks to a first in the world of gaming.
Wayne Rooney beware, as England captain Houghton and her team-mates will feature along with 11 other womens’ teams on football video game Fifa 16.
Until now only mens’ teams have featured on the popular EA Sports game which was first released in 1993.
“To be one of the first female players included is something we’ll always be able to look back on,” said Houghton.
“Hopefully it will help raise the profile of the women’s game even further,” added the 27-year-old Manchester City defender.
Steph Houghton
Do you think Fifa 16 has managed to replicate Houghton’s look in an England shirt?
Houghton will lead her country to the summer World Cup, beginning 6 June in Canada, with England to meet Colombia, France and Mexico in their group.
The trip could last until 5 July if England reach the final, providing plenty of time for the squad to see which players have been blessed or starved of ability by the games’ designers.
“Quite a few of us in the team play Fifa so I’m sure there will be a bit of banter about our ratings and a few extra competitive games while we’re away in Canada. I’m looking forward to scoring as myself for the first time,” she added.
The womens’ teams on Fifa 16
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, and the United States of America
But will Houghton, or any of her fellow players, be able to cope with the power of AFC Wimbledon’s Adebayo Akinfenwa – physically the strongest player on the Fifa game? Will England keeper Karen Bardsley deal with shots from Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
Fifa 16 designers have used American striker Abby Wambach – the top international goalscorer of all time with 170, according to the national team’s website – to record the typical movements of a female footballer and players have been headscanned in order to create a life-like look ahead of the September release.
“Bringing some of the best women’s players and teams in the world to our franchise is a massive event for EA Sports,” said David Rutter, vice president and general manager of EA Sports.
Editor’s Note: So I look forward to the Goalkeeper being absolutely useless with any shot from 25 yards or more and absolutely comical defending. Maybe I’ll just get Pro Evolution Soccer next year
