NEWS - Wednesday, May 22, 2002
NHL Hitz 20-03 Announced For XBox!
MIDWAY SPORTS™ HUGELY POPULAR ADRENALINE-STYLE HOCKEY VIDEOGAME NHL HITZ™ 20-03 RETURNS TO THE ICE WITH EVEN MORE INTENSE GAMEPLAY LOS ANGELES - May 22, 2002 (E3 Booth 800, South Hall) - Midway Sports™, the sports brand of leading software industry publisher and developer Midway Games Inc., announced today that NHL Hitz™ 20-03, the next iteration in the NHL Hitz franchise, is in development and scheduled to ship in summer 2002 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube™, with the Game Boy Advance to follow in fall. Officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA, NHL Hitz 20-03 unleashes a total hockey experience with even more visually stunning graphics, lightning-fast, extreme-style hockey gameplay and realistic NHL attributes, plus Hitz signature hard-checking, adrenaline-style sports action. As the only dedicated adrenaline-style hockey videogame franchise for next-generation platforms, NHL Hitz 20-03 showcases over-the-top 3-on-3 (plus goalies) gameplay with players who leap, glide, check, pass and score on would-be defenders. This newest version of Hitz runs up the score on the hockey videogame category with new features such as the all-new franchise mode (for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube), which enhances the single gamer experience by giving users the power to create a team from infancy, grow that team through international competition, earn a franchise, and eventually compete for the Stanley Cup . "NHL Hitz 20-03 offers more of what has made the Hitz franchise so popular among gamers, hockey fans and pro players," said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway. "We have kept in all the features that gamers loved about Hitz, but evolved the game to include bigger and better animations, much improved artificial intelligence and numerous all-new gameplay modes." Going for the gold, Midway signed an exclusive deal with Canada’s 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist, Chris Pronger. Known for his powerful skating and intimidating defense, the St. Louis Blues defenseman and former league MVP (1999-2000 season) will appear on the package cover and in the NHL Hitz 20-03 advertising materials. Additionally, NHL Hitz 20-03 includes a cranking new soundtrack. Available for play on the game’s jukebox (for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube), players have the option to listen to popular, glass-shattering tunes while battling it out in the rink. All-new game modes add challenge and depth to the gameplay experience. For those new to the ice, NHL Hitz 20-03’s Hockey School offers a tutorial, while veteran fans will appreciate even more mini-games and an in-depth New Season mode that enables detailed statistics tracking, player trades using trade logic, a playoff tree, and official NHL awards. NHL Hitz 20-03 also suits up with bigger, stronger and faster players. Improved goalie logic, behavior, animations and control make it tougher to score while a visual aggression meter tips off gamers as to which players are more likely to drop the gloves. To add to the element of realism, NHL teams take on the same playing style as their real-life counterparts, and two-man motion capture animations provide gamers a more realistic view of the action. Hitz also delivers enhancements to its signature, over-the-top play with secret arenas presented in a unique fantasy setting as well as hidden teams and special players to unlock along the way (for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube). NHL Hitz 20-03 PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube Key Features:Source: http://www.midway.com/
