CHICAGO – JUNE 8, 2006 – Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, today announced that its hard-hitting, lifestyle-driven football videogame,
Blitz®: The League™ has reached Greatest Hits status for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, as well as Platinum Hits status for the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. As a new addition to these prominent programs, Blitz: The League will be re-distributed nationwide with new packaging at a suggested U.S. retail price of $19.99. Blitz: The League is also in development for the XBOX 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PSP™
(Sony PlayStation® Portable) and is expected to ship in Fall 2006.
“We’re extremely pleased with the great performance of Blitz: The League,” said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. “The product’s success proves that there is a significant fan base that desires an alternative to the typical football video game. Blitz: The League delivers hard-hitting football action with a revolutionary story mode ripped straight from the sports headlines of yesterday, today and tomorrow.”
By definition, a title earning the Greatest Hits and/or Platinum Hits distinction requires that a company manufacture more than 400,000 units per respective platform during its first nine months on store shelves. In total, Blitz: The League has shipped nearly one million units since its release in October 2005.
MEDIA ACCOLADES FOR BLITZ: THE LEAGUE
• “In addition to the bone-crunching words and hits, players can also gamble, dole out painkillers, and engage in other activities that we’re sure never, ever happen in the NFL.” – MTV News
• “Instead of throwing in the towel [when the NFL signed an exclusive deal with EA], Midway chucked a Hail Mary…and scored.” – Los Angeles Times
• “Madden no longer has a lock on the gridiron thanks to this newcomer…its in-your-face arcade action is a welcome addition to the field.” – NY Daily News
• “Everyone is talkin’ about how crazy and outrageous this game really is…Blitz is [truly] over-the-top.” – Howard Stern
• “Best Alternative Sports Game of 2005” – GameSpot
• “4 out of 5 Stars” – Maxim
• “Game of the Month” (Nov.); “A brutally entertaining game…” - Playboy
Blitz: The League, featuring Hall-of-Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor as Quentin Sands, is rated “M” for Mature and is available now for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. For more information, visit www.blitzleague.com or www.midway.com.
About Blitz: The League
Blitz: The League features a powerful story mode that, for the first time ever in a football video game, explores the lifestyle and drama found in professional football. Players take the helm of a downtrodden football franchise and retool the players and coaching staff in a quest to guide them to the league championship. Additional features include intense multiplayer action with head-to head online play and complete customization of players, teams, stadiums and more.
About Midway
Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices throughout the world, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for major videogame systems and personal computers. More information about Midway and its products can be found at www.midway.com
MIDWAY, BLITZ and BLITZ: THE LEAGUE are trademarks of Midway Amusement Games, LLC. “PlayStation” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
“This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning future business conditions and the outlook for Midway Games Inc. (the "Company") based on currently available information that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the financial strength of the interactive entertainment industry, dependence on new product introductions and the ability to maintain the scheduling of such introductions, the console platform transition and other technological changes, dependence on major platform manufacturers and other risks more fully described under "Item 1. Business - Risk Factors" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and in any more recent filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each forward-looking statement, including, without limitation, financial guidance, speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Midway undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances.”
For More Information Contact:
Tim DaRosa
Midway - Media Relations
773-961-2445
tdarosa@midwaygames.com
Geoffrey Mogilner
Midway - Investor Relations
773-961-2222
gmogilner@midwaygames.com
Ann Mangold
HighWater Group PR
212-338-0077 ext. 312
ann@highwatergroup.com
