Midway Games announced that MLB SlugFest: Loaded is expected to be the first ever video game to implement Microsoft's recently announced updates to Xbox Live 3.0 via customizable, online tournaments. MLB SlugFest: Loaded is scheduled for release on June 21, 2004, for the Xbox.
Using the ability to create, customize and run online tournaments while in-game, as opposed to using the previously established XSN Web site, MLB SlugFest: Loaded gamers are to be the first to be given the ability to create in-game tournaments, an option that Microsoft has announced will soon be available for any game across all genres. Tournaments are to consist of 4, 8 or 16 teams and can be controlled by the user via private, password-protected channels that allow invited players only to join.
MLB SlugFest: Loaded features Midway's classic fast and furious gameplay with hard tags and over-the-top animations. This year's SlugFest features today's greatest baseball players with the addition of over-the-top abilities, including turbo-speed running, highlight reel-worthy fielding, earth-shaking collisions and the ability for a player to catch fire and turbo charge the game action.
In addition, all-new gameplay features add a measure of depth and adrenaline yet to be matched by competing, simulation-like baseball titles: Customizable Instant Replay, providing gamers with complete control of the numerous camera angles available to get the best view of towering home runs and diving catches, Exploding Scoreboards, giving players the ability to light up stadium jumbo-screens with one swing of the bat, and also, the most updated MLB team rosters available in any game of its kind. Furthermore, players will be able to for the first time in the SlugFest series, take coaching skills, players and/or teams online for both PlayStation 2 and Xbox Live, one of only three 2004 baseball videogames to have such capabilities. Additional online capabilities will include voice chat using an optional headset and an on-screen sports ticker tape that allows players to track ongoing MLB action with a live news feed from MLB.com, offering up-to-date scores and stats. It also features an Online Tournament Mode which allows online users to match-up at anytime against the stiffest competition coast-to-coast where winners take all and the losers goes home. MLB Slugfest: Loaded also includes a completely original soundtrack from new breakthrough bands, including tracks from Ivory Wire, Buckfast Superbee and Flipswitch.
