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[Laughing Banana]

Not really. My point was that very few in here possess intimate knowledge of what it would cost and the requirements and resources needed, that we are ALL guessing (some better than others). Which renders arguments of cost on both sides estimates... I don't profess to know how EA development process works. There was at least one poster in here suggesting that the entire game engine would have to be re-worked - I just feel the barrier lies elsewhere.
Hardly a gotcha...

Okay, if you say so, hahaha.

Regarding the chances of seeing this happen - Never say say never:

It was done in NHL - http://www.ea.com/news/female-players-join-the-nhl-13-roster

Who knows. FIFA is already King and there is little demand for it....so yeah probably not.

Not impossible, but probably very unlikely.

If you'll read my post again you'll see that I'm fine with people saying that it doesn't make financial sense, although it would be nice if more people used actual numbers instead of just treating it as a foregone conclusion. What I was pointing out was the anger accompanying some of those assertions that the market doesn't exist, saying "I would be so pissed off if they did this" or "it would be a waste of money." What I'm pointing out is that while in other economically unfeasible suggestions like Yakuza, people will make the same arguments that it would cost too much or would lose money, they do so without the anger, and often with sympathy.

But there are numbers:

158 signatures says all EA needs to know about the level of interest.

To be fair, even smaller (men's) leagues and teams have a much larger fanbase than the most popular women's teams. Last year the German Women's Bundesliga had an average attendance of only 1,100 and it's probably one of the most popular leagues in Europe. It's sad but you can't deny these facts.

Because the world's biggest women's league (National Women's Soccer League, US; Attendance 2013: 375,846) is still much smaller than even the 5th tier of the English Football League (National Conference; Attendance 2013/2014: 1,029,099) which isn't included in FIFA either.

And I re-read this thread from the beginning, and I hardly see this "anger" you're mentioning. Just one person, probably, and he/she was swiftly banned by Aeana (I assume). People were fine in here, giving their reasonings as to why they didn't think it would happen. I think you're projecting, using words like "anger" to quickly paint others that disagree to having questionable motives. Pointing "it would be a waste of money" is hardly an indication of anger.

 

[Zephyrus]

I'm all for the inclusion of more women in videogames but come on... nobody cares about women football.

 

[FuturusX]

I'm all for the inclusion of more women in videogames but come on... nobody cares about women football.

Ladies and gentleman...this thread in a nutshell.

 

[samuraidino]

Iv seen almost no anger at all, with most of the replies being along the lines of "it'd be nice if they did it, but it just doesn't seem like there's a large enough audience for it and here's why.... "

 

[silvermember]

Absolutely do not care, and it would be a huge waste of development money & resources

Unless you own stock in EA or work in manager, it is not your job as an outsider to worry about whether it is a waste of money & resources.

You don't work for EA, so don't worry about them. if they think it is worth their effort they will put in the money and resources, that's what corporations do.

 

[Arials]

There are so many male leagues that are more popular than the biggest female leagues that EA can't be arsed to add to their game. The latest FIFA game doesn't have the top flight leagues from football mad countries like Brazil and Turkey. Even if they did spend a load of time making women's content very few people would play it, adding the English Conference (5th division) would almost certainly be of interest to more of EAs customers.

This threadreminded me of a video I watched recently; an English amateur team flew out to Rio to play a team of some of Brazil's best professional female players at 5 a side ..and won 7-1. I've also heard tales about how the US national women's team play training matches against local U15 sides...

 

[FuturusX]

Iv seen almost no anger at all, with most of the replies being along the lines of "it'd be nice if they did it, but it just doesn't seem like there's a large enough audience for it and here's why.... "

I'm not sure anger is the best way to describe the negative reactions in the thread. I'm assuming the poster was generally reacting to the general dismissive nature of 'some' of the responses.

In a larger sense it's always interesting to hear people who love football (soccer) dismiss the women's game as if it's so technically different from the men's game to be unwatchable.

 

[Drifters]

Something something the models are more complex.

 

[Rodelero]

Unless you own stock in EA or work in manager, it is not your job as an outsider to worry about whether it is a waste of money & resources.

You don't work for EA, so don't worry about them. if they think it is worth their effort they will put in the money and resources, that's what corporations do.

I see this response quite a lot, but it always seems like a non sequitur. I don't think the person you're quoting cares about EA's balance sheet - they probably want EA to use their resources on features they care about more than women's football.

 

[akira28]

This game killed ay hope for the future

mother fucking SouthPeak Interactive. Every game they touch is cursed to spread ruin and dismay like some kind of digital pariah.

you think I'm joking but look at their library of games.

 

[Laughing Banana]

Unless you own stock in EA or work in manager, it is not your job as an outsider to worry about whether it is a waste of money & resources.

You don't work for EA, so don't worry about them. if they think it is worth their effort they will put in the money and resources, that's what corporations do.

But we're here to discuss probable reasons why EA most likely wouldn't do it.

I don't get how you equate people stating their own opinings regarding those reasons to "worrying about EA."

In a larger sense it's always interesting to hear people who love football (soccer) dismiss the women's game as if it's so technically different from the men's game to be unwatchable.

Well, there must be a reason why women's soccer is practically non-existent when compared to men's soccer. It's unfortunate, but it's just the facts :/

 

[Fermbiz]

Kinda reminds me of this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FGI7R0u3TQ

 

[Zephyrus]

Ladies and gentleman...this thread in a nutshell.

It's true isn't it?

I hope I don't offend anyone by writing this, but there simply isn't a market.

I live in Portugal, a country that is crazy about football. Everyone I know is pretty much a die-hard. And nobody knows, cares or watches women football.

But signing it costs nothing for me, so I'll do it. Even if I won't use the feature, someone else might.

 

[TheBryanJZX90]

I mean, I wasn't pulling those quotes about being pissed off out of thin air:

Honestly, if they did this, i would be pissed off. It would be a giant waste of time and resources. Fifa already has enough issues with its gameplay. Fundamental core issues that have not been addressed since fifa on 10 on the ps3. If they wasted time doing this, I would not buy the game. When the gameplay is perfect, then they can spend time worrying about this. Talk about misplaced priorities.

 

[ZenVolta]

How would this be added to the game? Like a standalone experience or does FiFA support coed matches?

 

[akira28]

Without outrage and pushback, I doubt this petition makes it over 1000 signatures.

They could very easily make a women's soccer league game....but they wouldn't. And we all know why.
Tacking it on to FIFA is...hrm...it is what it is. A half-measure to solve a problem we're not even sure is an actual problem ie, no women's soccer video games.

Make one.

 

[FuturusX]

Well, there must be a reason why women's soccer is practically non-existent when compared to men's soccer. It's unfortunate, but it's just the facts :/

And the reason is?

 

[Mory Dunz]

This threadreminded me of a video I watched recently; an English amateur team flew out to Rio to play a team of some of Brazil's best professional female players at 5 a side ..and won 7-1. I've also heard tales about how the US national women's team play training matches against local U15 sides...

Yeah...that's not really notable. Well, to me anyway. Everyone knows about the gap. The US women's team trained against the U-17 men's team and got worked. Once puberty is in full effect it's not a contest anymore. However, it's good for the women's team to train against bigger and stronger people than them since usually the US women's team is bigger and faster than the other women's teams.

In a larger sense it's always interesting to hear people who love football (soccer) dismiss the women's game as if it's so technically different from the men's game to be unwatchable.

Eh, I watch women's soccer, but if people dismiss whatever, that's there own business.
Plenty of people (including Americans) dismiss the MLS as unwatchable because they like the BPL or whatever.

People can have their own opinions and stuff about "unwatchable" since it's their money and viewership. I don't really think that's indicative of anything.

And the reason is?

Um...it's not as good?
I can't tell if you're being serious...

 

[Photolysis]

I don't see how there would be a viable market for it when the market for woman's football itself is almost non existent.

Maybe that will change in time, but as it stands somehow I don't think this would get by the EA shareholders.

 

[Wiktor]

Unless you own stock in EA or work in manager, it is not your job as an outsider to worry about whether it is a waste of money & resources.

You don't work for EA, so don't worry about them. if they think it is worth their effort they will put in the money and resources, that's what corporations do.

You're assuming EA and FIFA team have infinite resources then? People don't "worry" about Electronic Arts, they worry that the resources used to introduce female players would have negative impact on improvement of other areas of the game, which they most likely would.

 

[Laughing Banana]

And the reason is?

I dunno. *Shrugs*

It would sound sexist if I say, "It's just not as attractive as men soccer/competition", but the numbers just don't lie, right? And it's not like the hundreds of millions (perhaps even billions?) of male soccer fans are just men--a great number of them are women too. So why is it that female soccer just failed to gain any traction at all?

It may be down to just a simple reason: they're simply just not as good.

I mean, I wasn't pulling those quotes about being pissed off out of thin air:

Just one or two persons amongst many is hardly a solid foundation to stand on.

 

[FuturusX]

Um...it's not as good?
I can't tell if you're being serious...

So the only reason why it's not as popular is because it's perceived to be not as good? Serious question.

 

[samuraidino]

I'm not sure anger is the best way to describe the negative reactions in the thread. I'm assuming the poster was generally reacting to the general dismissive nature of 'some' of the responses.

In a larger sense it's always interesting to hear people who love football (soccer) dismiss the women's game as if it's so technically different from the men's game to be unwatchable.

For what it is, it's enjoyable to watch. But honestly if it was to be accurately brought to a FIFA game you are looking at a completely different pacing than what you'd get from the male teams. Solely from a gameplay stance, I don't think it would be appealing to play unless they literally just made a reskin of the men's mode, which would be doing a disservice by not being an accurate recreation.

Personally I think what EA need to do is to try and tie in the next women's world cup with that years FIFA, add the national teams, give it a trial run and see if people are actually going to play it in a serious manner and not just as a once of novelty.

 

[Le_Samourai]

In a larger sense it's always interesting to hear people who love football (soccer) dismiss the women's game as if it's so technically different from the men's game to be unwatchable.

Its not only soccer, most woman sports, not to be rude but a lot of people prefer not watching the inferior product.

 

[Mory Dunz]

So the only reason why it's not as popular is because it's perceived to be not as good? Serious question.

"perceived"?
Ok...

Well, yes.


Some things can attempt get over that skill hump...well get a little closer at least, like:
Women's college BBall. Beacuse it's attached to a univeristy with alumni strong connections and a long history. That's why college wbball is more popular than the WNBA. However, it's still not close to the men's popularity because it's not as good. Soccer doesn't have this.

Another sport that can generate interest to get over the skill divide is Tennis because it's 1v1 and people tend to follow the athlete because they like them. Soccer doesn't really have this either.

Even with that boost, College wbball and tennis aren't as popular their male counterparts because of the skill divide.

 

[akira28]

Its not only soccer, most woman sports, not to be rude but a lot of people prefer not watching the inferior product.

it's weird. Some people are rabid women's college basketball fans, but could give a fuck about professional women's league ball.

 

[Bishop89]

Its not only soccer, most woman sports, not to be rude but a lot of people prefer not watching the inferior product.

Exactly, its like asking someone if they preferred to watch f1 cars race or volkswagen beetles. Why would u want a slower, less intense , less skilled viewing.

 

[Laughing Banana]

So the only reason why it's not as popular is because it's perceived to be not as good? Serious question.

It just the facts of life that in many sports men's side are better competitively than the women side: soccer, tennis, basketball, etc.

 

[Death Metalist]

I'm all for it. I just would prefer if developers did something because they genuinely feel they want to and not be forced into something by people.

 

[HarryKS]

So the only reason why it's not as popular is because it's perceived to be not as good? Serious question.

You are just taking the piss now, mate.

 

[Cat Party]

Is there any evidence that adding female characters will interest women/girls? Or even that they care about the women's league (from an entertainment perspective) over the mens' league?

Is the risk so significant in your mind that it isn't worth the minor effort to include a few pros and some character models to find out? Is it only worth it to add these things if EA has scientific research proving it is immediately profitable? I swear this is maybe the only topic where I've ever seen so many GAFers so concerned about a megapublisher risking some money.

Is it really that selfish to want time and resources put towards things that improve the game itself as a whole rather than putting in content that would likely only appeal to a very small minority. Ironically, it's the latter that seems selfish to me.

Appealing to women is appealing to a "very small minority." Jesus Christ, you can't make this stuff up.

 

[Wiktor]

Appealing to women is appealing to a "very small minority." Jesus Christ, you can't make this stuff up.

Umm...no? Even women greatly prefer male football. So introducing female players isn't appealing to women, but appealing to fans of female football, which indeed are a "very small minority".

 

[samuraidino]

Appealing to women is appealing to a "very small minority." Jesus Christ, you can't make this stuff up.

It's fairly obvious the minority he's referring to are the people who want to play as the women teams.... Not women in general....

 

[Mory Dunz]

it's weird. Some people are rabid women's college basketball fans, but could give a fuck about professional women's league ball.

I think I covered that in the post above yours a bit.
School connection = emotional connection.

Which the WNBA doesn't have.

 

[Draxal]

It just the facts of life that in many sports men's side are better competitively than the women side: soccer, tennis, basketball, etc.

I actually think women's tennis is a better game to watch due to how aces are way too prevalent in the men's side. Matches being shorter also helps.

http://time.com/3273225/why-womens-tennis-most-popular-womens-sport/

Interesting comment here.

The sad fact is women are stuck playing sports originally designed for men. “Basketball, football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, tennis, poker, NASCAR, and anything else you can think of were created during a time when women were expected to be at home preparing dinner and taking care of the six children while the men were out trying to get their balls into another team’s holes,” Rick Paulas argued in Vice last year. “So, instead of the winner of a sport contest being determined by skills that women excel in (an extremely small sample based on my own experiences: flexibility, agility, nimbleness, intelligence, an insane pain threshold, investment strategies, teamwork, just f***ing living longer), they were geared towards categories like ‘I can push you further’ and ‘I can jump higher than you can jump.'”

 

[Vermillion]

Is the risk so significant in your mind that it isn't worth the minor effort to include a few pros and some character models to find out? Is it only worth it to add these things if EA has scientific research proving it is immediately profitable? I swear this is maybe the only topic where I've ever seen so many GAFers so concerned about a megapublisher risking some money.

Appealing to women is appealing to a "very small minority." Jesus Christ, you can't make this stuff up.

I mean, you said that it would mean the world to little girls. I just asked if there's evidence to back that up. Furthermore, I don't care what EA spends their money on. I'm saying why it may not happen. Don't twist it.

Also, even though the second quote wasn't directed at me... he obviously means that women that care about women's football are a very small minority.

 

[Brutalitops]

EA would be pretty silly to do this. The cost from licensing alone would be insane for something so few would use.

 

[FuturusX]

Let's be clear.

Generally the women's game is dismissed because it's perceived as a men's game. A game not suitable for women to play. It not taken seriously regardless of the actual levels on display.

These attitudes have softened and with better funding and development the woman's game has become much more technical. But there's a perception problem for sure. The gap between the men's game could be much smaller with stronger grass roots support with shifting attitudes towards women in sport.

But regardless. EA could spark the interest of female videogame players by including a mode and that seems like a very worthwhile exploration and existing male players who are interested.

To be long term profitable - Women's football naturally would have to grow - not something EA can do alone.

 

[meanspartan]

How many people watch women's soccer vs. Men's?

There is your answer to why this isnt gonna happen.

 

[firehawk12]

Didn't NHL have female players one year?

 

[Vermillion]

I actually think women's tennis is a better game to watch due to how aces are way too prevalent in the men's side.

http://time.com/3273225/why-womens-tennis-most-popular-womens-sport/

Interesting comment here.

"flexibility, agility, nimbleness, intelligence, an insane pain threshold, investment strategies, teamwork, just f***ing living longer)."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but men are usually just as capable if not outright better when it comes to flexibility, agility and nimbleness. There's no evidence that either gender is biologically inclined to be smarter than the other, men have a higher pain threshold compared to a non-pregnant woman (IIRC), teamwork... eh, possibly. I think that one's true?

 

[Bam Bam Baklava]

Appealing to women is appealing to a "very small minority." Jesus Christ, you can't make this stuff up.

 

[Draxal]

"flexibility, agility, nimbleness, intelligence, an insane pain threshold, investment strategies, teamwork, just f***ing living longer)."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but men are usually just as capable if not outright better when it comes to flexibility, agility and nimbleness. There's no evidence that either gender is biologically inclined to be smarter than the other, men have a higher pain threshold compared to a non-pregnant woman (IIRC), teamwork... eh, possibly. I think that one's true?

To be fair, your comment is probably true. I meant to highlight the original issue, is that pretty much all these sports were originally created for and played by men, and I shouldn't have included the psuedoscience in that latter part of the quote.

 

[Gen X]

The way the Champions League rolls around on the ground after soft hits you'd think they were all girls.

Spoiler

It's a joke, don't get all mushy on me Princess

 

[panty]

There is zero market for this and it would never pay even a fraction itself back.

That means it's never happening and I have absolutely no problem with that.

 

[TheBryanJZX90]

EA would be pretty silly to do this. The cost from licensing alone would be insane for something so few would use.

I mean, really? Really? You know this for a fact? You're privy to the inner workings of all the organizations they would need to license from? You've been present at all of the previous negotiations for licensing rights? You've reviewed the contracts? Or are you just basing this on?

 

[Rodelero]

I mean, I wasn't pulling those quotes about being pissed off out of thin air:

Honestly, if they did this, i would be pissed off. It would be a giant waste of time and resources. Fifa already has enough issues with its gameplay. Fundamental core issues that have not been addressed since fifa on 10 on the ps3. If they wasted time doing this, I would not buy the game. When the gameplay is perfect, then they can spend time worrying about this. Talk about misplaced priorities.

If that's the extent of rage in this thread, I think we're doing pretty well. TheCloser isn't saying anything which is even remotely anti women, merely that it wouldn't be one of their priorities.

 

[FuturusX]

There is zero market for this and it would never pay even a fraction itself back.

That means it's never happening and I couldn't agree more.

Many a business opportunity was missed under the weight of this backward thinking. New markets are created every day in-spite of the strength of the old ones.

 

[Vermillion]

To be fair, your comment is probably true. I meant to highlight the original issue, is that pretty much all these sports were originally created for and played by men.

This is true.

But despite my teamwork comment, I agree with the person that said that women's sports usually fare better outside of team events. Individual athletes get more attention.

Tennis, Golf, MMA...

It's kind of interesting, actually.

 

[Laughing Banana]

I actually think women's tennis is a better game to watch due to how aces are way too prevalent in the men's side. Matches being shorter also helps.

http://time.com/3273225/why-womens-tennis-most-popular-womens-sport/

Interesting comment here.

Well, I am too a tennis fan and the general--no, the very vast majority--of the fans in *all* tennis communities that I know of think otherwise. And for good reason: you can't honestly say that folks like Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Nadal etc are inferior skillwise compared to their female compatriots... you just can't.