For the first time in the franchise’s history, EA’s FIFA games will feature female soccer players. FIFA 16 comes out on September 22. It will include 12 Women’s National Teams: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, and the United States of America. The Women’s National Teams will be able to compete only against other Women’s National Teams.

Professional soccer players assist animators with motion-capture suits. Photos via Pixelkin
Professional soccer players assist animators with motion-capture suits. FIF

As you may know, this has not exactly been a great week for FIFA off the gaming screen. Several of the organization’s top officials were arrested. Charges included money laundering, racketeering, fraud, and other charges. EA’s announcement is a welcome breath of fresh air for soccer fans.

According to the press release from EA, FIFA 16 will feature new walks, runs, sprints, and horizontal movement. This is thanks to upgraded motion capture technology. Female athletes gathered in Canada to assist animators by playing their favorite game in motion-capture suits (pictured). A mobile head-scanning device traveled to tournaments and other sports events around the world to capture facial features and hairstyles.

“We’re all excited to see ourselves in the game, but even more excited to see the reaction from all of the fans,” said Abby Wombach of the U.S. Women’s National Team.

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