April 7^th, 2003 (12:00am) - Not too long ago, GamersMark brought news to you that Midway’s next NFL Blitz and NHL Hitz games would take the road to realism. Well, today Midway officially confirmed that this year’s NFL Blitz Pro and NHL Hitz Pro would go in that direction.

The new direction of Midway Sports NFL Blitz and NHL Hitz was designed with the sports fan in mind and is based on feedback from both hardcore and casual sports enthusiasts. Nationwide focus testing of sports videogamers produced a clear message: gamers applaud Midway Sports trademark arcade-style gameplay and intense action but also want to experience their favorite teams, players, and stadiums in an authentic professional sports context.

Midway Sports answered the call by taking NFL Blitz and NHL Hitz in a new direction. These popular games are being recreated, or "revolutionized," into an exciting new line of titles. NFL Blitz Pro is the flagship product in this new line, and will showcase authentic 11-on-11 play with realistic rules and features, while still providing the well-known Midway Sports "edge." NHL Hitz Pro will undergo a similar eye-opening transformation on the ice.

"It was exciting to find both hardcore and casual fans so interested in seeing Midway Sports make this move," said Jon Dean, vice president, sports development unit, Midway Amusement Games LLC. "We have always had the corner on the arcade-style sports marketplace. Now, we are in position to deliver the perfect mix of realism and action to a much wider audience of sports gamers."

To execute this new direction, Midway Sports restructured its sports development studio, adding developers and resources focused on bringing an authentic professional sports experience to Midway Sports’ traditionally action-oriented brands.