Video Gaming News - May 2005

Foster City, CA (May 12, 2005) - Sony announced today the signing of Phoenix Suns power forward Amare Stoudemire to be the cover athlete for its new basketball franchise, NBA '06, due in stores in Fall 2005 for the PlayStation 2 and PSP.

From Sony:

At 6'10", 245 pounds, Stoudemire is a chiseled big-man best known for his amazingly quick first-step, aggressive power dunks and rugged play in the low-post.

Born in Lake Wales, Florida, Stoudemire did not begin playing basketball until he was 14 years old, but quickly excelled at the game. Drafted ninth overall by the Phoenix Suns, the only high school player drafted in the 2002 NBA draft, Stoudemire quickly made a name for himself. In just his 31st game, Stoudemire exploded for 38 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the most ever by a player making the jump from high school straight to the NBA.

By the end of his rookie season, Stoudemire had earned the nickname STAT (standing tall and talented) from his teammates, as he led all rookies in rebounds, ranked seventh in the league with 3.1 offensive rebounds per game and twelfth in the league for total rebounds (8.8 per game). He finished the year averaging 13.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.06 blocks, earning the "got milk?" NBA Rookie of the Year award. In just three years in the league, Stoudemire has gone on to be selected as a member of the U.S.A. Olympic Basketball Team at the 2004 Games in Athens and was voted to this year's NBA All-Star game.

"Amare Stoudemire is one of the most talented young players in the league. His story, along with his dynamic and exciting style of play embody the all-new gameplay features within NBA '06," said Scott Rohde, director, sports product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Powerful dunks and highlight reel plays really come alive in this new franchise, and we feel that Stoudemire is a perfect fit for the cover of NBA '06."

Set for a Fall 2005 release, NBA '06 introduces a completely new insider look with “NBA Life: Volume 1." Using cinematic direction, script development and talent, "NBA Life: Volume 1" is an immersing experience. Players have the opportunity to go through an entire season with all of the emotional ups and downs, team politics and off-court activities, such as trades, press conferences and endorsement deals that every up and coming NBA player must handle. Each player can take a different path to progress through the league, setting up countless ways for gamers to develop a player and experience the real NBA life.

Engineered from the ground up, NBA '06 introduces the all-new "Showtime Gameplay" feature that provides gamers with the opportunity to achieve the delicate balance between team versus individual skills, performance and goals. From knowing how to excite a temperamental crowd with incredible moves, to learning when to pass in order to keep your teammates in the game, Showtime Gameplay incorporates an enhanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that ultimately influence player and teammate attributes, as well as crowd support. And for the first time in an NBA videogame, gamers have the opportunity to feel what it's really like to be on the floor as first-person perspective is merged with third-person playability.

Dedicated to providing the most authentic hoop experience available, NBA '06 integrates life-like player models, amazing new graphics and animations, and popular gameplay features such as Eye-Toy functionality, Career Mode, and Online gameplay. In addition, NBA '06 will include more than a dozen mini-games with exclusives like PlayStation Skills Challenge and classics such as "HORSE," "21," and "1-on-1," as well as a host of brand new games for players to test their skills in single-player, vs., or online.
 

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