EA Sports FC 24: Women are at the center of the rebranding of the famous computer game

For the first time since the game's debut in 1993, software company EA Sports has ditched the FIFA branding and switched to EA Sports FC. This coincides with a major change in the most popular mode of play, one that reflects the increasing diversity of the real sport.

Even with skills that allow her to wipe the floor with the vast majority of FIFA's male player base, it usually doesn't take long for Lisa Manley to hear predictably sexist abuse in her headphones. The 24-year-old boasts that she is one of England's best in the popular game of football, which she took up after a serious knee injury ended her hopes of a professional football career.

"When I had to have the operation, I devoted a lot more time to FIFA and I got a lot better at the game. It sounds a bit silly, but you can use your knowledge on the field in the game,".

In another life, she could have been one of England's national team players who reached the final of the World Cup. She started playing football when she was only five years old and attracted the attention of Fulham and Chelsea, one of the most successful teams in women's football. Instead, she is one of the e-representatives, but still represents her country on the global stage.

Her success has not earned her respect in the notoriously toxic realm of online gaming

Earlier this year, representing England, she was among the best at the e-sports FIFA tournament in Zurich, and her skills attracted an audience of millions on platforms such as Twitch and TikTok. Her campaign in the Swiss city ended with a penalty shootout defeat in the quarter-finals. Her success has not earned her respect in the notoriously toxic realm of online gaming, where strangers with microphones never hold back on abuse.

"There is a lot of sexism. Men are also exposed to hate on the Internet, they all do it in games. But no one tells them that they should not play this game, but be in the kitchen or worse. Even though my name became known to everyone, it hasn't really changed that much," .

For many women and girls who play games, the solution is often in silence - no microphones or webcams, no recognizable usernames and certainly no streaming. A Sky News survey found that almost half of women have faced abuse or harassment while gaming online, with women aged 18 to 24 experiencing abuse rising to 75 percent.

Soccer's biggest female stars join their male counterparts in Ultimate Team

Just as England's internationals helped make women's football truly mainstream, there is hope that the digital version of the often not-so-pretty game will follow suit. The rebranding of said game is bigger news than Twitter becoming X. We should certainly sympathize with the retailers when next week they explain to confused mums, dads, grandparents why "the FIFA game" isn't on the shelves.

But regardless of the new name, an even bigger change is coming to the game itself, as soccer's biggest female stars join their male counterparts in Ultimate Team. It has long been the most popular and lucrative way to play. It allows players to build their teams using mysterious packs similar to trading cards, before taking them online to play against the world.

And this year, that dream could include England captain Leah Williamson playing alongside Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk; French goal machine Kylian Mbappé and Australian striker Sam Kerr or Mary Earps defending Erling Haaland's penalties.

"It is the perfect time to put women in the foreground"

EA Sports' Andrea Hopelain says this makes this year's game "the most comprehensive and diverse" yet. Female stars have been in FIFA since 2015, but they've always felt like a token gesture, limited to side modes that players mostly don't bother with. With EA Sports running an even bigger marketing campaign than usual to promote its rebrand, it's the perfect time to put women front and center.

"After the World Cup and the Euros, there are a lot more women who want to play this game. Women's football is now watched by more people - men, women, children. I started playing FIFA because of football and it goes hand in hand. People want to play like their role models and heroes play,".

Of course, the gaming community may have more undersized men than some other communities, and a quick YouTube search finds many such "fans" criticizing the decision. Some have tried to argue that this contradicts what they see as an "authentic" football simulation, ignoring that it is a simulation that allows for unlikely scenarios such as Tottenham winning the title.

Marie-Claire Isaaman, executive director of Women in Games, which advocates for a sex-free games industry, culture and community, says EA Sports' move is a big step forward: "It's an important step forward for the gaming community and the games industry. When they're not playing game physically, it is not unreasonable that girls and women want to play virtually".

Football Manager announces that it will add women's football next year

It certainly feels like a watershed moment, with Football Manager announcing that it will be adding women's football next year. This detailed and addictive series was developed by British studio Sports Interactive and is one of the most popular sports games in the country.

Isaaman says, whether it's football or any other genre, representation in games is important. Like Manley, she hopes more women and girls will look at eSports as a real career option, especially given the huge earning potential.

"We need more female role models in e-sports and streaming. But these women and girls are put in a position where they are likely to face abuse.

Manley expects abuse every time she plays, either from opponents or in the comments on her streams and videos. Game publishers are clearly aware of the issues women face, with Call Of Duty introducing an artificial intelligence tool to monitor hate speech, and Microsoft relying on similar technology to protect players on Xbox.

"In two or three years no one will ask why women play"

Manley believes it will still take time to improve, but sees the greater prominence and influence of women in traditionally male-focused games like FIFA as a vital step towards acceptance.

"In two or three years, no one will be asking why women are playing, people will be excited because they got Leah Williamson or Sam Kerr on Ultimate Team. I hope it works both ways and that their presence in the game encourages more people to they watch the Women's Super League. Trust the process - it will become the norm and people won't expect anything different," .