The WNBA will make its video game debut in NBA Live 18

NBA Live 18 will feature all WNBA teams and players. It is the first time the league has been featured in a video game.

The WNBA will make its video game debut this fall. EA Sports announced the women’s professional league will be included in NBA Live 18, and will add facial scans for high profile players such as Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi. EA states, “teams and player skills have been specifically balanced to reflect the unique playstyle of the league” through the use of motion capture.

This is the first time the WNBA has featured in a video game. In Live 18, players can only access and play with the league through Play Now and online versus. However, producer Mike Maher pointed to the possibility of adding the WNBA to other modes, including The One (a solo career mode) and dynasty.

The league’s inclusion was announced Thursday by Game Informer:

This isn’t the first time EA Sports has included professional female athletes in a video game. FIFA 16 allowed players to play with women’s national teams in head-to-head game modes, and brought back the feature last year. Previously, female athletes have featured in EA Sports titles such as Tiger Woods PGA Tour, NHL 12, and EA Sports UFC.

The WNBA was also, understandably, excited about the announcement.

Including the WNBA shows further intent to showcase female athletes in sports video games. Maher’s comments suggest they are serious about expanding the role the WNBA will play in the Live series. That said, it is surprising they haven’t been included in NBA Live or their rival NBA 2k until now.

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NBA Live 18’s addition of the WNBA will provide more exposure to the league. With viewership and league attendance going up and down in recent years, the league could benefit from expanding into new avenues. If EA Sports continues to invest in the WNBA, it should only help the league in years to come.