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          WNBA teams and players react to EA's 'NBA Live 18'

          Aug 3, 2017
          • Kaila Burns-Heffner

          Electronic Arts (EA) announced Thursday that it would be including WNBA teams and players in the upcoming release of "NBA Live 18." For the first time, gamers will be able to utilize players on the rosters of all 12 WNBA teams in WNBA Play Now Mode when the game is released on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 this fall.

          When the news broke, players and teams took to social media to celebrate the WNBA's breakthrough into the video game industry.

          San Antonio rookie Kelsey Plum visited with EA Sports in 2016 to help with the creation of the game, participating in a motion capture. On Thursday, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft shared her excitement for the game's release.

          The Mystics' Elena Delle Donne, the 2013 WNBA rookie of the year, showed her approval.

          Dream teammates Elizabeth Williams and Brittney Sykes were hyped.

          So were Storm teammates Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd.

          The WNBA also shared a behind-the-scenes look at EA's creation of Loyd's "game face."

          Kayla McBride, Plum's teammate, used her Instagram account to help spread the news.

          The game also received support from the WNBA's male counterpart. Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner and Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Evan Turner are happy that WNBA players now have the opportunity to live out the dream of being featured on a video game.

          Some of the teams even began to join in on the fun. They're already fighting for your pick.

          Now YOU can score like a #WNBA Champion for the first time EVER. #NBALIVE18 drops August 11th! 🔥 #WatchMeWork

          A post shared by minnesotalynx (@minnesotalynx) on

          If the excitement the game's release has already generated is any indication, EASports might have a slam dunk with "NBA Live 18."