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NBA Live 19: Women in 'create a player' feature for first time

Getty Images Basketball player Brittney ElenaGetty Images

NBA Live 19 is allowing fans to create women players for the first time in a basketball video game.

EA Sports has announced its new create-a-player tool, which also allows players to make custom female characters and mixed-gender teams.

Gamers will also be able to model a player after themselves by scanning their faces.

EA Sports says the move is "an important step toward levelling the playing field".

"It's providing gamers increased opportunities to express their unique individuality and create a reflection of themselves while competing in the game," a statement from the company continued.

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Professional players from the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) were introduced to the game for the first time last year in NBA Live 18.

But introducing women to the create-a-player feature is a step further in the franchise's push for gender inclusion.

Once you create a female basketball player, you can play in NBA Live's career mode and access the same skills, challenges and career progression as the male characters.

Basketball player and TV actress Brittney Elena is one of the female athletes included in the game and she shared her excitement on Twitter.

"So thankful EA Sports NBA made this opportunity happen for women to create their own characters!" she wrote.

"Never thought playing this as a kid I'd be IN THE GAME!"

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People on Twitter seemed similarly excited, calling the move "groundbreaking".

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Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne and Brittney Griner are some of the other women basketball players available for play in September, when the game will be released.

EA Sports also made headlines in 2015 when they announced the inclusion of women in football video game Fifa 16 for the first time.

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