Midway Sports Asylum, the action-sports brand of leading software industry publisher and developer Midway Games Inc., announced today that NBA Ballers, an all-new and unique one-on-one NBA lifestyle basketball videogame, is scheduled to ship fall 2003 for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube. 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.