In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to increase the representation of women in football video games. This shift is not just a marketing tactic but a response to the growing popularity of women’s football globally.
Two prominent titles, EA FC and Football Manager, have introduced the ability for players to manage female teams. BBC Newsbeat spoke to the creators of these games and the new mobile title Matchday Champions about how they are integrating women into the virtual football world.
What’s taken so long?
EA FC is one of the most-played games globally, and it now includes a career mode that allows playing as a footballer or a manager. This year, for the first time, it is introducing women to the mode. While female players first appeared in the game back in its Fifa 16 edition, they were only added to EA FC’s Ultimate Team mode last year.
Fans have long awaited this change. Andreas Wilsdorf, a line producer on career mode, mentioned that it was crucial to secure enough licences from leagues, players, and clubs across French, Spanish, US, German, and UK leagues to incorporate female squads realistically.
Sports Interactive, the makers of Football Manager, announced their plans to introduce female players three years ago. Tina Keech, head of women’s football research, emphasised the challenge of gathering accurate information, describing the process as ‘hard graft’. For women’s leagues, they had to build their stats database from scratch.
Keeping it real
Realism is a significant attraction for management simulation games. EA FC and Football Manager have aligned the salaries and transfer fees of women players with the real world, where amounts are usually much higher in the men’s game.
However, some adjustments have been made. Andreas noted that matches in EA FC take place in larger stadiums like Deutsche Bank Park, even if women’s teams typically play in smaller venues. This decision aims to be aspirational, encouraging visibility and recognition for women’s football.
Both games allow players to switch career paths, like moving between managing male and female teams. However, there’s no option to mix squads in career modes.
Innovative approaches
Matchday Champions, a mobile management title, has taken a different route. Players can build mixed squads, blending male and female players.
Co-founder Sebastien de Halleux explained that the game aims to ‘lean into the beauty of video games’ by imagining scenarios that don’t exist in reality. The game is based on real stats, but the goal was to reach a wide audience.
Mobile games tend to attract more female players, and Matchday Champions offers a more casual gaming experience.
Impact beyond the game
Video game creators are continually looking for ways to expand their audiences. Andreas shared a conversation with his accountant, which inspired the inclusion of women in EA FC, highlighting how girls can now play as their heroes.
Matchday Champions has backing from football legends like Lionel Messi and Alexia Putellas. Putellas has previously stated that mixed squads in games help elevate the profile of women’s football.
Tina from Sports Interactive, a former player, wanted to be part of advancing women’s football, inspired by her football fan daughters. She believes in the movement to push the sport forward for future generations.
The increasing inclusion of women in football video games signifies a significant stride towards gender representation in the virtual sports world. By integrating female players and management options, these games not only mirror real-world progress but also inspire future generations of players and fans.
As the popularity of women’s football continues to rise, the gaming industry’s effort to provide equal visibility will likely play a crucial role in shaping perceptions and encouraging participation at all levels.
