Published by GamesCampus, San Jose-based online game publisher, MLB Dugout Heroes started its open beta test on March 20th around North America. Today we present you an exclusive interview with GamesCampus to get a deeper understanding of MLB Dugout Heroes.
MMOsite: I am glad that we have this opportunity to do an interview with you. First off, please make a brief introduction about yourself and your company GamesCampus to our readers. What kind of background do you have in game development and publishing?
GamesCampus: Chris Yamauchi - Producer
Jonathan Stypula - Community Manager
Gamescampus is dedicated to changing the way people play online games.
Based in San Jose, we were founded in 2006 with our highly successful golf simulation game, Shot Online. GamesCampus' focus on sports and competitive games has produced amazingly fun item-based online competitive games for all gamers through our game portal www.gamescampus.com.
MMOsite: Can you say something about MLB Dugout Heroes to give our readers a general idea? How will it distinct itself from other baseball-themed games?
GamesCampus:MLB Dugout Heroes is the first fully licensed and online based PC baseball game in North America. You're able to draft your favorite players from any MLB era, level up, complete missions, compete in tournaments, and purchase new uniforms, bats, pitches, and more!
MMOsite: MLB Dugout Heroes boasts the first online-based PC baseball game that's fully licensed by Major League Baseball Advanced Media in North America. Would you please elaborate more for us?
GamesCampus: Because we are licensed by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, we are able to tap into a wide roster of players, uniforms, and stadiums from the past and present!
MMOsite: What kind of leveling system will be available in MLB Dugout Heroes? Some players said it's unique and realistic.
GamesCampus:Users will be able to level both their team level, as well as their player's stat levels. The team level is their overall level, and goes up depending on how well you play games as a team. Individual player's stat levels go up depending on how well they play during a game. Player's have 5 stats: Power, Accuracy, Run, Throw, and Defense. For example, say you have Ryan Howard on your team and he hits a grand slam. He will most likely level up his "Power" stat at the end of the game.
MMOsite: Does MLB Dugout Heroes only support mouse control, or also supports Keyboard, Gamepad or Joystick? As you know mouse control is not so common for sports-themed titles.
GamesCampus: MLB Dugout Heroes uses a combination of keyboard and mouse controls. Aiming for both batting and pitching are controlled using the mouse. Fielding and baserunning are controlled by the keyboard. It's actually really intuitive and we believe this arrangement allows for better control than any gamepad or joystick.
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MMOsite: You imported Dugout Heroes from South Korea-based Neowiz, signed an online interactive licensing agreement with MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) and renamed it into MLB Dugout Heroes. What led you to import such a baseball-themed game into the North American market and any story to share with us about the signing of the MLB agreement?
GamesCampus: Answered by David Chang, EVP of Business Development and Marketing - We are trying to focus on sports titles at GamesCampus and we felt that a baseball game would do very well here in America as it is called the "American Pastime" and is the oldest professional sports league in the US. When we saw the success of Slugger (the Korean title) in Korea, we began speaking with NeoWiz to figure out a way to bring it to America. Both GamesCampus and NeoWiz felt very strongly about being able to allow people to play as real teams and real MLB players, so we also began a conversation with MLB's online operation - MLB Advanced Media. Fortunately we were able to get all of the necessary agreements in place to bring what we feel is a ground-breaking game to the US - I think everyone will be surprised about how good this game really is! We have worked extensively with NeoWiz to localize the game to re-create an authentic MLB experience that we expect people will really enjoy.
