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Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., San Diego
Platform: PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system
Genre: Sports
Players: Console: 1-2 Players (single console), 1-2 Players; w/ 32 Man Tournaments (online)
Launch Date: March 1, 2006
Cover Athlete: David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox)
Target Age: 18-34
Rating: "E" for Everybody

OVERVIEW
As the longest running officially licensed baseball franchise on PlayStation platforms and already widely considered the most authentic baseball simulation available, MLB® '06The Show picks up where last year's game left off and provides fans with numerous gameplay enhancements. An all-new Rivalry Mode allows those with a competitive nature to set up and maintain rivalries between multiple gamers and track the stats for the life of the rivalries, while the all-new Career Spotlight underscores Career Mode highs and lows, and the refined Franchise Mode features more intuitive functionality. Bringing more depth to Franchise and Season Modes, the all-new Game Time Decisions presents scenarios within the game that may have a direct effect on the outcome. For gamers seeking to get in a little BP or looking to work on painting the corners of the plate, an innovative mini-game, King of the Diamond, showcases the ultimate pitcher/batter duel in a timed, point-based challenge.

In stores now as the only officially licensed first party videogame exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system, MLB '06The Show looks to continue its reign as the most realistic baseball videogame available.

NEW FOR MLB '06 THE SHOW:

• New Rivalry Mode – For those with a truly competitive nature, Rivalry Mode allows true baseball fans to set up and maintain multi-game rivalries between multiple gamers or versus the Artificial Intelligence (AI), and keeps track of the stats throughout the rivalry.
• New King of the Diamond – A classic playground duel from childhood where a pitcher and batter from opposing teams will square off head-to-head. This innovative mini-game showcases the challenging intensity of the batter versus pitcher duel, while an inning clock increases the pressure in this Over-The-Line style challenge.
• New Multi-Branch Fielding – Branch Point Technology goes to a new level as gamers you can now take full control of fielders and break out of any animation in the process. Change a fielding decision and branch out of any animation after the first branch point. With Branch Point Technology, MLB '06The Show provides unbelievably smooth, fluid transitions for seamless double plays and relays.
• New User Controlled Slides – Fans can now control base runners in attempts to advance and/or score.
• New 40-Man Roster – Provides the ability to take full control of a team's roster and manage all 40 players for each and every game.
• New Game Time Decisions – Bringing more depth to Franchise and Season Modes, MLB '06The Show provides gamers with the scenarios in which they need to take full control of their team and decide who to place in the line up at critical times.
• New Online News Service – Lets sports fanatics stay on top of all the news around the league. Receive all the current happenings in sports today. Information will be updated a few times each hour with news, trades and events from 31 different feeds, each containing 25 unique items. Select general MLB headlines or updates from all 30 teams in the league.
• Enhanced Online Mode – To provide users with a complete package of unprecedented online options, the Online Mode has been completely revamped with an all new community and feature set designed specifically for MLB '06 The Show. Features include, head-to-head gameplay in Exhibition and King of the Diamond Modes, 32-team tournaments, downloadable rosters, live sports tickers, message boards, buddy lists, and more.
• Enhanced Career Mode – The new Career Spotlight underscores all of the accomplishments and failures during a career and showcases them in the limelight. Gamers still need to call the shots, but now the ramifications of actions are documented.
• Enhanced Franchise Mode – Extending the experience of running a team, performance and player morale are tracked on virtually every level – salary, playing time, batting slot, team performance, and much more.
• New 3-Man Booth & Progressive Commentary – Rex Hudler joins Matt Vasgersian and Dave Campbell for the most comprehensive commentary heard in any baseball videogame. MLB '06The Show sets the bar high with the all-new Progressive Commentary that changes as the user progresses throughout the game by adapting to current actions and situations.

CORE / RETURING FEATURES FOR MLB '06 THE SHOW:

• Release Point Pitching – Taking video game pitching to a whole new level, gamers must utilize a timing mechanism to learn and realize each pitchers pace and release point, which varies from pitcher to pitcher.
• Pitching Confidence Meter – The ultimate pitcher/batter interface returns. Additionally, Pitcher Confidence plays a role in a gamer's ability to hit release points in the all-new pitch meter, while frequency of mistakes will impact the confidence level of a gamer's hurler, making it more difficult to paint the corners of the strike zone.
• Guess Pitch – Baseball fans can test their ability to master the ability to knock one out or hit the grounder to advance the runner by checking the pitch history and correctly guessing which of 5 pitches that the pitcher will throw next. If the correct pitch is selected, the power attribute is increased in attempts to leave the yard in a hurry.
• PlayMaker Fielding – The fielding interface brings the player attributes together with the user's skill level. With the Fielding Zone Marker, the fielder's fielding attribute rating will determine the size of the zone that surrounds the ball and it's eventual landing location. With highly ranked fielders, the ball marker will be displayed sooner and smaller, making it easier to judge fly balls.
• Unassisted Fielding Control – Gamers can take advantage of more realistic barehanded flips and the ability to dive with the ball in the fielder's bare hand for the putout.
• Unrivaled Player Creator / EyeToy™ Functionality – MLB '06The Show provides infinitely possible options for creating players including everything from gamers putting their face into the game with EyeToy™ functionality, to personal rituals, swings and even emotions.
• Unprecedented Online Options – Online Mode features head-to-head gameplay, 32-team tournaments, King of the Diamond, Rivalry Mode, live sports tickers, message boards, buddy lists, headset functionality, downloadable rosters, chat, and more.
• Personalized Animations – Authenticity: featuring personalized player animations for everything from walk-ups, rituals, stances and swings – even emotions.
• MLB Authenticity, Subtleties & Nuances – Authenticity: Features drag bunts, wild pitches, broken bats, check swings, off-line throws and much more.
• Unique Stadium Ambiance – Every MLB team features their specific stadium with coordinated crowds, team colors and audio that catering to each team and specific players.
• AAA / AA Minor Teams & Stadiums – MLB '06The Show features 60 teams and 5 stadiums from the Minors.
• Old-Time Players & Stadiums – Unlock and play with Silver Era and Golden Era players like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, then play in old-time stadiums like Forbes and Polo Grounds.