The new direction of the NFL Blitz franchise 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 the 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 answered the call by taking the NFL Blitz series in a new direction.
Officially licensed by the NFL and Players INC, NFL Blitz Pro will showcase authentic 11-on-11 live online play with real NFL teams, stadiums, and features like “first and ten” and a running game, while still providing the well-known Midway Sports “edge.” Real-time weather information—everything from snow in Buffalo to sunshine in Miami—is delivered through an online service and player leaderboards, tournaments and downloadable content are also available to enhance the realistic experience on the PlayStation 2.
“NFL Blitz Pro maintains the hard-hitting action that made the franchise a huge success while adding the authentic experiences gamers want to see,” said Jon Dean, vice president of sports business, Midway.
In addition, an all-new Blitz-style Running Game allows for moves such as handoffs, pitches, off-tackle and up-the-gut runs, complete with reverses and other fantastic trick plays that the pros haven’t even thought of yet. Adding to a variety of new features in NFL Blitz Pro is 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. a 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.Stat tracking and current team information such as rosters, schedules, stadiums, uniforms and team captains is also included.
In addition, Midway has an exclusive deal with Terrell Owens, ALL-PRO and star 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, playing in his ninth NFL® season, has made his mark on the football world since his rookie season with the San Francisco 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.
The fast and furious gameplay continues with improved action that includes players leaping, soaring, diving for passes and stiff-arming and bulldozing would-be defenders while precision passing quarterbacks throw darts, lasers and quick slants with all-new color play-by-play commentary to humorously describe it all.
In NFL Blitz Pro, true-to-life animations raise the bar as gamers are dropped into the aggressive action, executing authentic NFL tackles, runs, catches and dekes. Additionally, real-time weather effects—everything from snow in Buffalo to sunshine in Miami—are delivered through an online service. Player leaderboards, tournaments and downloadable content are also available to enhance the realistic experience.
NFL Blitz Pro also features DVD content with a 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 designed plays and performed audio capture for the game.
Midway signed an exclusive deal with Terrell Owens, ALL-PRO and star 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 ninth NFL® season, has made his mark on the football world since his rookie season with the San Francisco 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 Key Features:
- New Blitz Online – Head-to-head gameplay, player leaderboards, real-time online weather, tournaments and downloadable content (online gameplay available through August 2004).
- New 11-on-11 Gameplay – Every team, every position and all your favorite players.
- New Blitz-Style Running Game – Handoffs, pitches, reverses, and up-the-gut runs, as well as more aggressive trick plays that the pros have yet to attemptHandoffs, pitches, off-tackle and up-the-gut runs, complete with reverses and other fantastic trick plays that the pros haven’t even thought of yet.
- Real-Time Weather – Experience real-time weather effects from sunshine to snow and rain depending on the hometown stadium (real time weather available through August 2004).
- New Franchise Mode – Up to 32 gamers can engage in the franchise mode 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.
- Current Team Information – Complete and updated rosters, schedules, uniforms, stadiums and team captains.
- Improved AI – The days of catch-up code are gone; either play hard or go home.
- New Motion-Capture and Animations – Tackles, runs, and catches and dekes put you in the middle of the action with incredible authenticity and Blitz-style aggression.
- New Modes – Pro Bowl and Practice Mode.
- New Camera Angles –- Dynamic camera angles to capture deep crossing routes and monster sticks with improved television-style cut scenes.
- New Stat-Tracking –Track all of the important stats from sacks and interceptions, to yardage gained and touchdowns scored.
- New Fantasy Elements – Fantasy stadiums, characters and drafts.
- Easy Access Menu – Intuitive interface and play select menu.
- New Color Commentary – Play-by-play and color commentary to describe all of the outrageous action.
- Improved Action – Adrenaline-style, over-the-top gameplay featuring players leaping, soaring, diving for passes, stiff-arming, and bulldozing would-be defenders in the new running game, while precision passing quarterbacks throw darts, lasers and quick slants.
- New Improved Controls – Intuitive, fast-action adrenaline-style controls.
- Officially Licensed – By the NFL and NFL Players INC, which means that you can play all of your favorite NFL teams and players in your favorite NFL stadiums.