EA has announced today that the heavily
anticipated EA Sports UFC will be the first of its kind to feature
playable female fighters.
This is a step forward for gender
equality in sports video games and has put further scrutiny on other
major brands, such as the multi-million selling Fifa, which was
petitioned to include female players earlier this year.
So far only two fighters have been confirmed for the game; Meisha Tate and current UFC Women's
Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who made the announcement via
instagram. The pair are scheduled to fight at
UFC 168 on December 28, 2013.
Dana White, president of the UFC told the press: "Since we
added the Women's Bantamweight division earlier this year, the women
have impressed everyone. The female division has become a huge part
of the UFC and fans will now be able to experience fighting with them
in the game”.
All this publicity is good news for EA, who bought the rights to
the UFC license from THQ following disappointing sales.
EA Sports UFC is expected for release in 2014.
Words: Ben Gibson
