Mega Cat Studios has announced that it’s creating a new entry in the Backyard Baseball series, which is due out on July 9 for PC and consoles.
This was announced during IGN Fan Fest, and it’ll be the first new entry to land on consoles in 15 years (the last being Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers), and the first new entry since Backyard Sports: Baseball 2015!
It seems that instead of 2D art style that were in the previous games during the late ‘90s and early ’00s, this upcoming Backyard Baseball will use 3D models. I’m not sure how I feel about the new art direction quite yet, as it’ll take some time to get used to for sure.
The game will also have updated mechanics and expanded modes, bringing it up to modern gameplay standards.
“Backyard Baseball is a franchise that means so much to so many players, including our team here at Mega Cat Studios,” CEO James Deighan says in a press release.
“We’re incredibly honored to help bring this beloved series back in a way that respects its legacy while introducing a whole new generation to the magic that made it special in the first place,” he continues. “Our goal is simple: capture that same joy, accessibility, and Backyard spirit that fans remember, and build something that feels both timeless and fresh.”
The biggest question now is whether or not this game will include pro players. A few of the past entries had kid versions of real-life MLB stars join the playable cast in addition to original characters, which made the games feel so much more immersive and fun. I’m not a licensing expert, but I imagine it’d be tough nowadays unless you have Electronic Arts money or something. I’m hoping for the best.
Mega Cat Studios just released God of War: Sons of Sparta, so Backyard Baseball is definitely a different ball game in terms of development. But I’m impressed by the studio’s diversity of projects. Hopefully, Mega Cat Studios can knock it out of the park.
Backyard Baseball ‘97 and Backyard Baseball ’01 have been remastered and are on PC, consoles, and mobile. I’ll be revisiting them in preparation for this new one.
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