King of the Ring

Michael moonwalks into the ring in Midway’s all-new ‘Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2’; ‘King of Pop’ looks to become ‘King of the Ring’ in hot new video game.

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 12th 2000–Midway Sports Asylum, the sports brand of leading software industry publisher and developer Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), today announced that, at 2 p.m. in the Midway booth, it will reveal the image of Michael Jackson who will appear as a special guest celebrity boxer in the highly anticipated ‘Ready 2 Rumble(TM) Boxing: Round 2’.

Midway Sports Asylum brings this all-new iteration of the incredibly popular ‘Ready 2 Rumble (TM) Boxing’ series, available in retail outlets this November for the PlayStation (R)2 computer entertainment system (currently in development, this title is not yet officially approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America), PlayStation(R) game console, Nintendo(R) 64, Game Boy(R) Colour and the Sega Dreamcast(TM).

Michael was motion captured and sound recorded in order to incorporate his seemingly endless dance moves, distinct voice and style into the game.

Michael joins 12 all-new boxers, including the undisputed NBA heavyweight champion Shaquille O’Neal, as another one of the game’s hidden celebrities. Like each of the ‘Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2’ boxers, Michael will enter the ring as an over-the-top rumblized version of himself.

“Midway is thrilled to have Michael Jackson join the all-star cast of ‘Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2’,” said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway Games. “Players can now ‘float like a butterfly, sting like a bee and moonwalk like Michael Jackson’ as they experience the larger-than-life boxing action of ‘Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2’!”

Leaving none of the elements of the original bestseller behind, ‘Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2’ combines intense boxing competition and the over-the-top action that made ‘Ready 2 Rumble Boxing’ a hugely popular entry into the fighting category.

Eleven of the original outrageous characters are back with updated costumes, special moves, taunts and rumble flurries unique to their own fighting styles. Digitally sophisticated and visually stunning, ‘Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2’ adds to the larger-than-life comedy and action of the original.

Midway Games Inc. is a leading interactive entertainment industry developer, publisher and marketer of software for both the coin-operated and home markets. Midway games are available for play on all major dedicated home game platforms, including Nintendo(R) 64 and Game Boy(R) Colour, PlayStation(R) game console, Sega Dreamcast(TM) and personal computers.

Source: Business Wire, AOL & MJFC