If you remember being huddled around your computer debating whether to add Pablo Sanchez or Keisha Phillips to your team, this one is for you.
The Backyard Sports franchise has officially launched the first original version of its popular game “Backyard Baseball” in ten years on Steam, bringing new features to the beloved classic PC game.
Originally created by Humongous Entertainment, “Backyard Baseball” was released in 1997 as a CD-ROM game where players can draft baseball teams out of 30 neighborhood kid characters of various backgrounds and skill levels to compete against the computer in modes such as Single Game, Batting Practice, Spectator, and Season Game. The game has released newer versions that would include kid versions of professional baseball players.
This new version is the first original “Backyard Baseball” game since “Backyard Sports: Baseball 2015.” Playground Productions CEO Lindsay Barnett told amNewYork that relaunching this classic game was a no-brainer.
“This was my favorite game when I was a little girl, and I just loved this brand because it just was such a representative brand, 15 boys, 15 girls, all with equal playing ability,” said Barnett. “For somebody who is sporty like me, I just really gravitated towards these characters and felt like it was ripe for them to come back, with a lot of millennials growing up and having kids of their own, but also still enjoying and being adults themselves.”
The newest edition of “Backyard Baseball” contains the same characters from the original games that players know and love as well as the original game modes and new game modes, such as Backyard Derby (their version of the home run derby), Backyard Bash (a new version of batting practice) and Wiggle Ball, a 4-on-4 wiffle ball mode. There are also new difficulty modes to keep the game challenging.
The game will also feature multiplayer modes, both as couch co-op and online play. Barnett says the game will also have tons of downloadable content, including characters and in-game trading cards, and zero microtransactions for in-game items and spending tokens.
“Right now, we have a game that’s meant to be played for a very, very long time. I think that’s a unique difference between our brand and others is, we are just ‘Backyard Baseball.’ There is not a number behind it, and that’s very intentional, because we’re not going to require you to buy a new ‘Backyard Baseball’ game next year. This is the game built for long-term fun,” said Barnett. “What we really want is for people to buy this game and then not feel like they’re being taken advantage of in any way. Like this game is the game that you get at launch is the game that you can play for a long time without having to do a single additional purchase.”
To celebrate the launch, Backyard Sports and Shopify are teaming up to host a “Backyard Baseball”-themed pop-up in Shopify’s Soho store, located at 131 Greene St. From July 17-19, the space will be transformed into the iconic Backyard Sports treehouse (seen in every Backyard Sports game), allowing guests to fully immerse themselves into the game.
Those who come through will be able to shop exclusive merchandise that will only be available at the pop-up, take part in photo ops throughout the space, play games and watch your favorite streamers play the new game. The pop-up will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, and RSVPs online are encouraged but not required.
“Shopify has been an incredible partner. They are building like a full clubhouse, the tree house from the game. You can go into their space and be in the tree house,” said Barnett. “We have a streaming station, so we’ll be streaming and playing the game. We have an arcade. We have some in real life pitching, games that you can actually put your real baseball skills to the test, and then all sorts of collectibles that will be selling only at that location.”
You can download “Backyard Baseball” on Steam for $39.99 and will later join Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.
Event Details
What: Backyard Baseball x Shopify pop-up
Where: Shopify NY, 131 Greene St., Soho
When: July 17-19, 11 a.m. – 6 a.m. daily
Price: Free entry, RSVP highly encouraged!
