Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC. (SCEA) announced today the North American launch of the #1 selling and highest rated baseball video game of this console generation, MLB 11 The Show, available exclusively for the PlayStation 3 (PS3), PSP (PlayStation Portable), PSP PlayStation Portable)go, and PlayStation 2 systems. Widely considered the most authentic baseball game on the market, MLB 11 The Show brings fans closer to the Major Leagues than ever before with true-to-life, broadcast quality gameplay, authentic franchise and season modes, and incredible detail not found in any other sports game. With compelling new features and enhancements to this year’s installment, MLB 11 The Show is poised to continue the franchise’s reign as the premier Major League Baseball (MLB) licensed game on any platform.

Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios’ San Diego Studio, this year’s title promises to provide unparalleled innovation and polish to the sports genre complete with a new Pure Analog Control System for pitching, hitting, and throwing as well as up to four-player offline or online cooperative play. Road to The Show returns with a more robust player creation process and a brand new Player Performance Evaluator that analyzes your approach at the plate or on the mound. MLB 11 The Show also adds stereoscopic 3D functionality in all gameplay modes, PlayStation®Move motion controller support within Home Run Derby mode, a new Challenge of the Week online contest with big league prizes, and unmatched stadium realism and ambiance with incredibly detailed graphics and animations that brings the baseball experience to life.

“As the #1 selling baseball franchise in video game history, MLB 11 The Show delivers the most true-to-life baseball experience short of being on the actual diamond,” said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA. “This year’s installment is once again a must-have for sports fans, raising the innovation bar with beautiful stereoscopic 3D functionality and PlayStation Move support providing endless entertainment for the entire family that is only available on PlayStation.”

Leading off on the new features set for PS3 is the addition of stereoscopic 3D functionality in all gameplay modes, as well as PlayStation Move motion controller support making its debut in the Home Run Derby mode, providing an easy pick up and play element that will allow fans and newcomers to truly swing for the fences in The Show!

Next up is the newly added Pure Analog Control System which includes analog controls for hitting, pitching, and throwing, adding more precision and accuracy to all three disciplines. Pure Hitting allows you to stride and swing using the Right Analog Stick, Pure Pitching functionality incorporates a new Pitch Meter when setting strength and location, and Pure Throwing can be used to make defensive throws by simply pointing the Right Analog Stick in the direction of the base, also allowing for fake throws to keep runners honest.

MLB 11 The Show also offers a new Co-op Mode, which allows up to four-player offline or online cooperative play where gamers can split duties covering either the infield or outfield, while also switching off at the plate or choosing the specific batters they’d like to control. Users can play 1 vs. 2, 2 vs. 2, or 2 vs. CPU. Also adding to the competitive fire is MLB 11 The Show’s Challenge of the Week—a quick, fast paced 2-3 minute, 1-player, online experience, with leader boards and prizes awarded in three tiers.

The fifth generation of Road to The Show returns in version 5.0 bringing a new interactive slider set to the Create Player process, new training modes triggered by the Player Performance Evaluator that awards training points depending on your approach at the plate (or to batters faced), Minor League™ substitution logic improvements, advancement system improvements that now compare your stats versus your competition in the organization, and the new No Assist Fielding option to make the fielding experience even more realistic.

MLB 11 The Show once again raises the overall level of detail and realism including a customizable camera editor, stadium specific broadcast camera angles for all 30 MLB teams, new weather elements in the form of rain and dynamic cloud coverage, stadium specific jumbotrons, and firework displays.

For fans who want to take The Show on the road, MLB 11 The Show for PSP and PSPgo systems deliver big baseball action in the palm of your hand by utilizing core gameplay features found in the PS3 system version. MLB 11 The Show is also available for PS2, providing the same authentic baseball experience that fans have come to expect from The Show. Exclusive for PS2 is the unrivaled “Player Creator,” providing users with endless possibilities for creating players, including everything down to their player’s face using EyeToy®. Users can also adjust their personal rituals, swings, and even emotions as they create and place themselves in the heat of a pennant race.

Last but certainly not least is the addition of former Los Angeles Dodger first baseman Eric Karros to the broadcast booth, joining franchise veterans Matt Vasgersian and Dave Campbell to complete the three man crew. Karros currently works as an MLB color commentator on the FOX network as well as KCAL-TV in Los Angeles, where he is part of the pre-game show for Dodger games.
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating for MLB 11 The Show is “E” for “Everyone.” For more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org. For more information about the MLB 11 The Show, visit http://www.theshownation.com/.