EA Sports’ NBA Live 18 will include WNBA

Ever imagine yourself as Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, Elena Delle Donne, Breanna Stewart, Tina Charles, or another of the superb talent that permeates the WNBA?

Imagine no longer, because the W is in the game!

Put up a ‘W’ in #NBALive18!

You can play as any of your favorite #WNBA players for the first time ever starting Aug. 11! #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/gO9lDaQpsX

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 3, 2017

TREMENDOUS NEWS! Thanks to our partner @EASPORTS for incorporating the #WNBA in the next #NBALive game. #WereInTheGame pic.twitter.com/Q51EbtaaoZ

— Lisa Borders (@WNBAPrez) August 3, 2017

There were reports earlier in the year that EA Sports was giving strong consideration to a WNBA feature for NBA Live 18. Now, it has been confirmed by both EA and the WNBA itself.
Needless to say, players are rather hyped up about the news.

It’s OVERRRRRRRRR! I’m never moving from the tv … except for practice and games ? https://t.co/Gt1lIQHoOM

— NWK FINEST (@Sykes_20) August 3, 2017

This is sick ? https://t.co/eWZ2zFnkcr

— Elizabeth Williams (@E_Williams_1) August 3, 2017

this is actually pretty dope. i’m a gamer so it’s lit. ☝? mama we made it.… https://t.co/2fW2swIMho

— Kayla McBride (@kaymac_2123) August 3, 2017

Played video games growing up and now I’m gonna be in one!!! This is dope and I can’t wait for #NBALive18 pic.twitter.com/jrtF2tWKFF

— Breanna Stewart (@bre_stewart30) August 3, 2017

NBA Live 18 will launch this fall on Playstation 4 as well as Xbox One.

The WNBA is home to some of the most incredible athletes on the planet, and we’ve been working hard to integrate them into our game in an authentic and meaningful way. This is only a taste of what we have in store, and look forward to working with the league on more great integrations in the franchise in the future.

–Sean O’Brien, executive producer, NBA Live

Websites have compared this to when EA Sports developed FIFA 17—and included 14 women’s national teams in its game.

On behalf of the players, we believe that combining technology and entertainment is a powerful way to not only recognize and value our brand of basketball but to also increase fan connectivity and engagement.

—Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA president/Los Angeles Sparks

For now, the WNBA option will be available through a mode called “WNBA Play Now.” O’Brien said that while the option will not initially be available for online play that he wanted to lay the groundwork for where this could go.

The development team wanted to give the WNBA gameplay its own identity apart from that of its NBA counterpart. They held motion capture sessions along with three-dimensional head scans of various players.

Still waiting on that response from 2K…