Video Gaming News - May 2003
Chicago, IL (May 9, 2003) - Midway Sports Asylum announced today that
NBA Ballers, a one-on-one NBA lifestyle basketball game, is scheduled to ship
fall 2003 for the PlayStation 2, the Xbox, and GameCube.
From Midway:
Officially licensed by the NBA and NBA Legends, NBA Ballers is the only
basketball videogame to deliver the pure essence of basketball by highlighting
the excitement and intensity of the one-on-one confrontation, set within the
alluring fantasy lifestyle of NBA superstars. Featuring online play for the
PlayStation 2, as well as 60 current and 24 all-time player legends, NBA Ballers
takes the game out of the arenas and into some of the most lavish NBA player
“cribs” for an up-close and personal one-on-one experience. Gamers no longer
have to debate who is the best NBA player of all time - now the greatest ballers
can be matched-up in elaborate settings; holding it down at some of the finest
private courts in the league.
“NBA Ballers is set as a made-for-TV broadcast event that takes place at the
many fabulous backyard courts of the NBA’s greatest stars,” said Helene Sheeler,
vice president of marketing, Midway. “Ballers’ allows gamers to be a part of the
spectacular world of real NBA players as they battle with intense and authentic
one-on-one match-ups to determine who is the best baller in the world.”
NBA Ballers features current NBA stars such as Tracy McGrady, Chris Webber
and Kobe Bryant, and NBA Legends including George Gervin, Magic Johnson and Wilt
Chamberlain. NBA Ballers online for PlayStation 2 enables gamers to take on the
world in online tournaments and ladder challenges while they risk everything
from licensed cars to mansions to other ballers that they’ve collected in
winning games. By focusing on the one-on-one match-ups, Midway Sports Asylum is
able to build each and every NBA baller and NBA Legend with his specific skill
set in mind. Shaq will own the paint, Larry Bird will be raining three-pointers
and Iverson will be breaking ankles with his killer crossover. With more than
5,000 polygons per player and facial motion-capture technology, no basketball
videogame has ever given the gamer more realistic looking players than NBA
Ballers.
The explosive soundtrack found in NBA Ballers features hip-hop, R&B and a
hip-hop/rock mix with in-game commentary by World Freestyle Champion rapper MC
Supernatural and on-the-court beats by DMC Champion DJ Rocky Rock.
Additionally, new facial animation technology provides the most accurate NBA
player facial expressions, including mouth movements that sync-up with in-game
audio to reproduce recognizable words from players’ mouths while stylized player
models deliver unmatched realism and detail to the game. Each player model
features the athletes’ realistic body style based on actual height and weight.
NBA Ballers Key Features:
- Lifestyle One-on-One Basketball – Only the freshest of the NBA and NBA
Legends ball for cars, houses and, most importantly, the reputation as the top
NBA baller. Compete in one-on-one tournaments hosted by some of the biggest
NBA stars. Compete against multiple competitors in one-on-two, one-on-three
and special rules matches.
- Online B-Ballin’ (for PlayStation 2 only) – Play as your favorite baller
and take on the world in online tournaments and ladder challenges as in-game
cash, cars and glory await the victor.
- 60 Current NBA Stars and 24 NBA Legends – Take control of your favorite
players such as Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Chris Webber, Shaquille O’Neal,
Jason Kidd, Kobe Bryant and more. NBA Legends featured include Larry Bird,
Magic Johnson, Julius Irving, Bill Russell, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain
among others.
- Realistic Player Attributes and Skills – Each NBA baller and NBA Legend
has more than 10 different off-the-hook skills, which determines their player
rating, creating a genuine representation of each NBA superstar’s mad skills.
- In-Depth Create-A-Player Mode – Ball as the best! Personalize the game by
hooking-up a player with the skills and attitude to take on the best ballers
in the NBA. Select from multiple hairstyles, body types, on-court attitudes,
gear, shoes, jewelry, planes, cars and your own posse to construct the
ultimate one-on-one baller.
- Stunning Player Art and Animation – From cornrows to afros, one-on-one
gameplay allows unparalleled player animation sets, delivering an incredible
level of detail and nuances not found in other basketball videogames. Watch
players’ realistic reactions to intense dunks and amazing blocked shots,
whether they perform the move or get embarrassed by it.
- The Story – “Welcome to NBA Ballers! The show takes you inside the
spectacular lives of the players as they battle to determine, in intense
one-on-one authentic gameplay, who is the best baller in the world.”
- Multiple Game Modes –Take your player from “Rags to Riches” by building
your own mansion with winnings, or battle through a ballers tournament to
unlock your favorite NBA star and discover his moves, or try to make it
through a season in the league, or survive “Last Man Standing” team mode.
- Announcers – Featuring in-game commentary by champion freestyle rapper MC
Supernatural and on-the-court beats by the renowned DJ Rocky Rock.
- Explosive Soundtrack – Features hip-hop, R&B and a hip-hop/rock mix.
- Amazing 3D Player Models – Set to each player’s height, weight, body size
and athletic ability based on real life.
- New 36-point Facial Animation Technology – The most accurately detailed
player faces and expressions.
- 6,000 Poly-Count Player Models – The highest number of polys of any
basketball videogame available.
- Exclusive Midway Sports Asylum Fantasy Lifestyle Courts – Fully detailed
and structured with beautiful lighting effects and images. Animated sideline
characters react to the action on the court in real-time!
Lifestyle courts include – Play at Vince Carter’s “Toronto penthouse,” Jalen
Rose’s “luxurious Lake Michigan yacht,” or Tim Duncan’s “pad in the Virgin
Islands.”
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