EA has announced that all 12 WNBA teams will make their video game debut in NBA Live 18, which releases in September 2017 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The rosters will be current as of September 9, 2017.
Available in WNBA Play Now, all teams and player skills have been balanced to “reflect the unique playstyle of the league and skills of its players.” You’ll also be able to go online in Head-to-Head mode. EA adds, “This is the first time the official WNBA’s roster of teams and players will appear in a video game, and will be available only in NBA LIVE 18.”
Sean O’Brien, NBA Live Executive Producer, suggested that the WNBA will also return in future installments:
We are extremely proud to partner with the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) on this groundbreaking occasion. 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.
Head scans were conducted of Maya Moore, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Sylvia Fowles, Alisha Gray, Chelsea Gray, Jonquel Jones, and Alyssa Thomas, and the team at EA Tiburon also held mo-cap sessions with #1 draft pick Kelsey Plum and others.
A free NBA Live 18 demo will be available on August 11.
[Source: NBA Live]
