Majesco Entertainment yesterday held a media event in N.Y. to demonstrate its forthcoming licensed basketball video game title, "NBA Baller Beats," among the most-discussed games at the E3 industry event earlier this year. Using Microsoft's Kinect motion recognition technology, the game combines elements of basketball and music games, such as "Rock Band," by requiring players to dribble a basketball in rhythm with various music tracks, accumulating points for their accuracy to the beat. With the title, Majesco is seeking to forge new ground in video games by asking users to interact with a real world piece of sports equipment, a regulation Spalding basketball that ships with the title. "We think this is very complementary to the simulation titles out there," said Majesco Entertainment CEO Jesse Sutton, referring to 2K's "NBA 2K13" and EA's "NBA Live 13." He added, "We think we have a fertile market particularly in the 11-15 age group where we can get them moving and learning real basketball skills." Sutton did acknowledge some consumers do not have homes conducive to dribbling a basketball indoors while playing a video game, and because of that, will be offering information where they can obtain a rubber-based basketball compatible with the title. "But our hope is that because of the skills development and workout involved, people will find places, a garage, a rec room, a basement, whatever, where this will work for them," Sutton said. "NBA Baller Beats" is slated for a Sept. 11 retail release, and will feature Nets G Deron Williams on the cover and TNT analyst Kenny Smith as the voice-over talent.
