FIFA 16 has women in it, so what?
By: RJ (@rga_02)
Recently EA announced that 12 women’s national team would be included in their upcoming FIFA 16 and I was excited to hear that announcement. Soccer/Football is my favorite sport and as much as I love to give EA a lot of flack, I’m one of those people who buys their latest iteration of FIFA each year. For EA to place various women’s nationals teams such as United States, Spain, etc. in the game is wonderful. More people would be exposed to the other side of Football that isn’t well covered, but some people aren’t very happy about the recent addition.
Being a Football fan in the United States gets pretty depressing to place it mildly. While the sport has grown in popularity since the World Cup 94 and with games such as FIFA and Winning Eleven people are still oblivious to the sport. For example, a recent conversation I had while getting some coffee at my local cafe.
“Hey did you see the Blackhawks game last night?” “
“Nah, I was watching the Chicago/Montreal game, we won 3-0!”
“Chicago/Montreal? What sport are you talking about?”
“Soccer, Chicago Fire, our MLS team”
“We have a soccer team?”
That conversation is one of many experiences I have while trying to converse with people about football. Of course it is just anecdotal evidence but it is pretty widespread. However from my experience with chatting with people, women are most likely to know and appreciate football here in the United States. Most of my best football conversations were with women. Women enjoy the sport of football and much as men do. Guess what, women also play videogames, so why are some people getting all up in arms regarding about EA including 12 women’s national teams in FIFA 16? Some people seem to be threatened by the existence of women in their videogames. From comments such as:
“So now there’s gonna be women’s football on FIFA 16, why do women have to interfere with everything we do?!”
“we play FIFA to get away from women“
“ Why the fck would people want women of fifa 16 hahaha what’s the point“
Out of all the things to worry about regarding FIFA ( “Corruption? Who cares about that, there is a woman in this game! Ugh”), some people are so hellbent on downplaying the existence of women in the sport we all love. The sport that unites all races, sexes and creeds. Seriously, what is wrong with having women in a sports videogame? It is wonderful to have options. You don’t have to play as Alex Morgan, you can continue on dicking around the pitch as Balotelli like you did before. Their existence in the videogame won’t harm you or effect the game you play. This isn’t some hidden agenda to spread feminism or force diversity in FIFA. This is about bring more people to a game and sport we all love. Anyone who is against that should grow up and face reality before their small little world collapses on them.