MLB, LucasFilm content now on PlayStation Network

MLB and LucasFilm content is now available on PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, if you care. This means that a variety of downloadable entertainment and sports content will now be available from the PlayStation Store. The first piece of content from LucasFilms will be the StarWars: The Clone Wars animated series that airs on Cartoon Network.

Meanwhile, MLB is offering the current 2009 World Series featuring the Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees (in case you’ve missed any of the games so far), and also a section with classic games.

A new partnership with Image Entertainment also brings feature films like Powder Blue and Management, whole a deal with MPI Media Group brings in such classics as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and a deal with ContentFilm International delivers Hurly Burly and Interstate 60 to the PlayStation Store. Look for this and other new content on the PlayStation Network beginning today.

The BIGS 2 demo released

2K Sports today announced that the free demo of The BIGS 2 is now available for download through Xbox LIVE Marketplace, and a demo on PlayStation Network will follow shortly. The demo will support two players (local only) and offer fans the opportunity to experience the new Batter’s Wheelhouse, power ups, and slick player models in a three inning game as either the American League All-Stars or National League All-Stars. Fans will also have the chance to smash home runs into building windows and neon signs in the return of the hugely popular mode, Home Run Pinball, in an all-new Las Vegas venue.

Scheduled to be in retail stores on July 7, The BIGS 2 will be available for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PS2, PSP and Wii.

PureSim Baseball for free

Matrix Games and Shaun Sullivan announced that the popular baseball management series, PureSim Baseball, is now available for free .The download of the full free version of the game is available from various mirror sites including Strategy Informer, Gamer’s Hell, Patches Scrolls, and Fan Gaming.
Previous owners of PureSim Baseball can download this new free full release to check out all the new features and improvements and future updates.

“PureSim Baseball lets baseball fans manage their teams in depth. Whether it’s negotiating trades in the off season or signaling to the first base runner to steal, PureSim Baseball delivers like a 100 MPH fastball,” said David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games. “We’ve been happy to work with Shaun Sullivan on two past releases (2005 and 2007) of this great game and we’re pleased to help spread the word about this new free release. Hopefully this will lead to more gamers discovering what a great baseball game this is.”

Matrix Games has made a habit of working with developers and other publishers to make some great games available for free, often in updated or improved releases. Steel Panthers: World at War, Gary Grigsby’s War in Russia, Gary Grigsby’s Pacific War and Titans of Steel - to name just a few.

Find out more by visiting http://www.matrixgames.com.

MLB Dugout Heroes Launches

MLB Dugout Heroes has officially launched today, giving baseball fans a PC-centric way to enjoy baseball without firing up their Xbox 360 or PS3. , The game is very first fully licensed and free online-based PC baseball game in North America, for whatever that’s worth.

With the official launch comes an all new Item Mall and a million dollar in-game currency giveaway. the fake money can be used to purchase Power Grips, Batter/Pitcher slots, Team Name Changers, Coaches Advice and more. Every week, the player who spends the most in the Item Mall will win huge amounts of extra NUTs (the in-game currency, not the things that make men think they are tough enough to take on ridiculous challenges). There will be a total of four winners during the launch event which takes place now through May 25th.

Start playing by visiting www.mlbdugoutheroes.com.

GameCampus Secures MLB Rights

GamesCampus has signed an online interactive licensing agreement with MLB Advanced Media, the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, granting it the right to incorporate official Major League Baseball league and club marks and logos, MLB ballpark images and more in its upcoming micro-transaction based online baseball game, MLB Dugout Heroes. It will be a free PC-based baseball game, to be made available in North America in time for the 2009 baseball season.

The multi-year agreement gives GamesCampus the rights to all current and historical Major League teams, ballparks, All-Star teams and jewel events such as the home run derby. GamesCampus will also have rights to the official 2009 Major League Baseball regular season game schedule, enabling fans to simulate real seasons through actual game and series matchups.

Those wishing to follow what GameCampus is creating can visit gamescampus.com.

Mario Super Sluggers Runs To Home

Mario Super Sluggers is in stores today, giving gamers something besides Wii Fit and Mario Kart to play. Offering baseball fun using 40+ characters from the Mario universe, Mario Super Sluggers puts arcade action gameplay and special power-ups familiar to Mario fans front and center. Playing the game is much like Wii Play’s version of baseball using Wii Remote: swing the Wii Remote like a bat or make a pitching motion to throw a pitch. Finally, the game allows you to import your Mii’s to customize things a little.

The single-player game sends you on a tour of Baseball Kingdom, where you’ll encounter characters with different baseball skills that you must defeat in order to get them to join your team. These characters serve as team captains, who have special abilities on the field (like Mario being able to pitch a fireball, as an example). Just like real world baseball - and life in general - , some players play better together than others: different character combinations result in good chemistry for a team. In the world of Mario Super Sluggers, this could result in amazing catches in the outfield or the ability to interfere with fielders.

MLB Power Pros 2008 Released

2K Sports has released Konami’s MLB Power Pros 2008 to retail today in North America. This year’s game, which is best played on the Wii (but available for the PS2 and DS as well if you’re interested), offers the same miniature Major League baseball players and teams, action focused gameplay, and pick-up-and play controls that the whole family can have fun with.

MLB Power Pros 2008 also lets you act as general manager and control the destiny of your own franchise in Season mode; or enjoy the role-playing game stylings of story modes such as Success and MLB Life. Gamers can also trade, sign free agents, coordinate practice schedules, purchase new equipment, call up and send down players from the Minor Leagues, and make lots of other management choices,

The Wii version of MLB Power Pros 2008 provides the option for players to import their Miis, from their Wii or Wii Remote (up to 10 Miis) to participate in the game.

Look for it beginning today at your favorite game retailer.