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E3 2003: Midway Reveal NFL Blitz Pro At E3

15th May 2003, 8:28pm
Midway Sports, the sports brand of leading software industry publisher and developer Midway Games Inc., announced that it has refocused its league-licensed sports brands to appeal to a broader sports gaming audience. NFL Blitz Pro, the reinvented iteration of the popular NFL Blitz videogame franchise, is scheduled to ship in fall 2003 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube.

The new direction of NFL Blitz was designed with the sports fan in mind and is based on feedback from both hardcore and casual sports enthusiasts. Nationwide focus testing of sports videogamers produced a clear message: gamers applaud Midway Sports trademark arcade-style gameplay and intense action but also want to experience their favorite teams, players, and stadiums in an authentic professional sports context. Midway Sports answered the call by taking NFL Blitz in a new direction.

Officially licensed by the NFL and PLAYERS INC, NFL Blitz Pro will showcase authentic 11-on-11 play with real NFL teams, stadiums, and features, while still providing the well-known Midway Sports "edge." With a solid reputation for delivering the best multiplayer sports games, NFL Blitz Pro continues the Midway Sports tradition with superlative new online play for the Playstation 2, including a unique tournament system, leaderboards, fast head-to-head matchups, downloadable roster updates and up-to-the-minute real-time weather effects-everything from snow in Buffalo to sunshine in Miami-to enhance the realistic experience.

"Taking NFL Blitz Pro online and adding NFL realism will give gamers and sports fans alike the authentic experience they have been wanting from the Blitz product line," said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway.

adding to a variety of new features in NFL Blitz Pro is an all-new Blitz-style running game that includes traditional moves such as handoffs, pitches, reverses, and up-the-gut runs, as well as more aggressive trick plays that the pros have yet to attempt. In addition, NFL Blitz Pro includes a Franchise Mode that allows up to 32 players to compete in 10 seasons where they can draft, trade, upgrade, release, sign free agents and retire. Stat-tracking and current team information such as rosters, schedules, stadiums, uniforms and team captains are also included.

In addition, Midway signed an exclusive deal with Terrell Owens, star Pro Bowl wide receiver of the San Francisco 49ers, to appear on the package cover, in advertising materials, and to design plays and provide audio capture for the game. Owens, entering his eighth NFLŪ season, has made his mark on the football world since his rookie season with the 49ers in 1996. Owens has accumulated 42 touchdowns over the past three seasons - the most of any receiver in the NFL over that period of time.

NFL Blitz Pro also features DVD content with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii, where top pro players such as defensive end Hugh Douglas of the Jacksonville Jaguars, linebacker Derrick Brooks of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and running back LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers designed plays and performed audio capture for the game.

NFL Blitz Pro Key Features:

  • New 11-on-11 Gameplay - Every team, every position and all your favorite players.


  • New Blitz-Style Running Game - Experience the grittiest, most exciting running game ever created with powerful up-the-gut runs, head-spinning reverses, counter fakes and other fantastic trick plays that the pros haven't even thought of yet, but wish they had.


  • Head-to-Head Online Play for PS2 - Show your skills anytime and anywhere with online head-to-head play and four-player tag team matches. Measure up to the competition with leaderboards, a unique tournament system, and a unique Blitz Challenge Mode.


  • Special Online Content and Features for PS2 - The weather in your NFL Blitz Pro game will match the actual, current weather conditions at chosen stadiums. Download real-time weather effects into single-player or online games. Also keep teams up to date with downloadable rosters.


  • New and Unique Franchise Mode - Up to 32 gamers can run, manage and play their team simultaneously for up to 10 seasons. Draft, trade, upgrade, release, sign free agents and watch out for that old veteran who decides to hang 'em up after the season. Earn money for big wins and achievements that can be spent on free agents.


  • New Interactive Sidelines - Watch where you step out of bounds - NFL Blitz Pro sidelines are teeming with coaches, players, cheerleaders, benches and tables.


  • Current Team Information - Complete and updated rosters, schedules, stadiums and uniforms, including the Atlanta Falcons' new, aggressive duds.


  • All-New AI - The days of catch-up code are gone. Created from scratch, NFL Blitz Pro's defenses and offenses work just as they do on the gridiron.


  • New Motion Capture and Animations - Silky-smooth tackles, runs, and catches put you in the middle of the action with incredible authenticity and Blitz-style aggression.


  • Pro-Style TV Presentation - All-new, dynamic and exciting camera angles capture the relentless sticks or the action in the trenches.


  • Robust Stat-Tracking - NFL Blitz Pro comprehensively tracks every stat an armchair quarterback or a fantasy football fan could possibly need.


    • NFL Blitz Pro Key Features (cont'd.):

  • Easy Access Menus - NFL Blitz Pro is easier than ever to pick-up-and-play, with an all-new look and feel and intuitive interface.


  • Cutting Edge Commentary - Forget the usual boring broadcast booths. The new Blitz two-man booth, featuring Peter Grosz and Keegan-Michael Key from the famous "Second City" in Chicago, provides commentary designed by football fans for football fans, the way it should be, with authentic analysis and non-stop entertainment.


  • Improved Action - The trademark fast-paced, over-the-top Blitz gameplay returns, featuring players leaping, soaring, diving for passes, stiff-arming, and bulldozing would-be defenders in the all-new running game, while precision passing quarterbacks throw darts, lasers and quick slants.


  • New Improved Controls - Moves, without the mess. All-new intuitive controls allow Blitz to sport new moves, yet remain accessible to all players.


  • Officially Licensed - NFL- and PLAYERS INC-licensed, which means you can play all of your favorite NFL teams and players in your favorite NFL stadiums.


    • Midway Games Inc. is a leading developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment software. Midway videogames are available for play on all major videogame platforms including the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance. For more information about Midway Games visit www.midway.com.
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    by Damien