2K Sports' Major League Baseball® 2K8 Hits Retail Store Shelves
Fans to enjoy the most fun and complete baseball experience available on the virtual diamond
New York, NY - March 4, 2008 - 2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that the highly anticipated title, Major League Baseball® 2K8, is now available on retail store shelves nationwide. As the most fun and exciting baseball experience on the market, Major League Baseball 2K8 revolutionizes player control in the latest installment of the popular franchise with brand-new pitching, fielding and baserunning, as well as a completely overhauled batting interface.
To bring fans closer to the action than ever before, Major League Baseball 2K8 will also feature authentic Major League and Minor League stadiums that have been redesigned for accuracy, complete with the details and specific architecture of each ballpark and city. Other in-game features include a wholly unique trading card system to reward special achievements, robust Minor League system including 90 playable teams, all-new Signature Style animations complete with home run celebrations and unique player walk-ups, and much more.
"We're excited to offer our dedicated fans an incredibly fun and enriching baseball experience with Major League Baseball 2K8," said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. "With the added level of depth and realism this year, including the new intuitive player controls, online trading card system and fully playable minor league teams, Major League Baseball 2K8 provides fans the opportunity to enjoy playing baseball like never before."
Some of the exciting new features** and added content in Major League Baseball 2K8 include:
Total Pitch Control -- A new, innovative pitching interface allows players to emulate the realistic motion of pitching a baseball. Speed and accuracy are achieved by matching specific gestures and release with the right analog stick, simulating the arm and wrist action involved in throwing that particular type of pitch. Swing Stick 2.0 -- Improved batting controls offer players unparalleled ball-to-bat contact that is determined by timing, direction and pitch location for a greater variety of realistic hits, including grounders, blooper singles, dribblers, gappers, and long home runs using the right analog stick. All-New Baserunning -- Simplified controls allow fans to easily select players with the left analog stick and guide them toward specified bases with ease. Precision Throw Control -- Provides unprecedented control over throw accuracy using the right analog stick, bringing a new level of realism to playing defense. Full Minor Leagues -- Fans will be treated to 90 playable authentic Minor League teams, along with 18 Minor League stadiums in franchise and exhibition modes. Two of the Best Commentators in the Business -- 2K Sports proudly brings back to the broadcast booth the popular duo of Jon Miller and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, delivering the most entertaining and deepest commentary available in any baseball franchise. 2K Trading Cards -- Earn them, share them, collect them, trade them, and then take a card-based team online to compete. Unlock and open trading card packs for the most in-depth card trading system ever, taking the Major League Baseball 2K community to a new level. Online Additions -- Experience all-new multi-player offerings, including new online lobbies to help users match up with others who want to play with a similar style, including a "Strikes Only" lobby, where pitchers can only throw in the strike zone, and lobbies where players use the advanced analog stick controls or the controls from previous iterations of the Major League Baseball 2K series. With more than one million dedicated gamers in the 2K community, it's always game time. A Smashing Soundtrack -- 2K Sports has partnered with Pitchfork Media to construct an epic and cutting edge in-game soundtrack for the diverse tastes of today's gamers. Some of the featured artists include Modest Mouse, Peter Bjorn & John, the Cure, the Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, The Cool Kids, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.**Certain features will vary between platforms.
Major League Baseball 2K8, rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, is now available for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Wii home video game system.
For more information, log onto http://www.2ksports.com.
About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® and Xbox® video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft, Wii, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS and Game Boy® Advance. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play, and distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. Take-Two's common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.
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This press release contains forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them. The Company has no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary significantly from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of factors. These risks and uncertainties include the matters relating to the Special Committee's investigation of the Company's stock option grants and the restatement of our consolidated financial statements. The investigation and conclusions of the Special Committee may result in claims and proceedings relating to such matters, including previously disclosed shareholder and derivative litigation and actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or other governmental agencies and negative tax or other implications for the Company resulting from any accounting adjustments or other factors. Other important factors are described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007, in the section entitled "Risk Factors." Further risks and uncertainties associated with Electronic Arts' unsolicited proposal to acquire the Company include: the risk that key employees may pursue other employment opportunities due to concerns as to their employment security with the Company; the risk that the acquisition proposal will make it more difficult for the Company to execute its strategic plan and pursue other strategic opportunities; and the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with Electronic Arts' unsolicited proposal may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability. All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date they are made.
Contacts:
Katie Pagliara
Access Communications for 2K Sports
(917) 522-3531
kpagliara@accesspr.com
Bryan Lam
2K Sports
(415) 507-7767
bryan.lam@2ksports.com
Meg Maise
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
(646) 536-2932
meg.maise@take2games.com