FIFA 13 has a no girls policy, for now at least

By: Moses Abaortae

  |   August 18th, 2012   |  

Uncategorized

Not that EA Sports or anyone affiliated with the game is sexist but rather the developers will not be introducing females players and leagues in FIFA 13. The announcement was made in response to an online petition.

When it comes to the world of football simulation gaming there are only two names in the game, FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer. While the latter has fallen from grace over the past few years, FIFA has emerged as the dominant title in the market.

The series reached its latest high with FIFA 12 as many hailed it as the best entry in the series’ history as well as the best football simulation game of all time.

As is the case with each new instalment, fans want to see something new and fresh added in order to keep the experience immersive and closer to the real thing.

It turns out that one such suggestion was to include female player models and leagues in the game as well. The Change.org petition, which has gathered some strength, urged EA Sports into adding a female side to the game as well to allow girls to play as their idols as well.

The petition argued that “Young girls can’t be portrayed by male videogame characters. We want them to be able to see themselves in the games they love, as the soccer players that inspire them.”

At the same time they backed their argument up with an interesting fact: “The US Department of State says that over 40% of soccer players in the US are girls.”

That is quite a market to cater to if one looks at it but one has to wonder how many of those girls play video games. On the flip side one could argue that the reason for the dominance of male gamers may be due to the industry catering to them and perhaps a female expansion for FIFA could change that.

EA Sports responded to the request and the petition insisting that fan feedback was of the utmost importance to them.

“We literally get thousands upon thousands of suggestions from our fans for new features and we have to evaluate those suggestions, such as the inclusion of female players in the game, against our resources priorities and overall fan feedback.”

However, it went on to state: “At present we don’t have plans to include female players in the game.”

News.wishfree.com says: the move would be great one if EA Sports decide to pursue it, especially in the United States where the national female soccer team has quite a following.

But what does the reader think, should FIFA introduce the female side of football? Let us know in the comments section below.