Children’s and family entertainment company Playground Productions is set to launch Backyard Baseball ‘01 for both Steam and mobile devices on July 8.
28 of the original 31 MLB Pros are set to return to the title, including heavy hitters Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Cal Ripken, Jr.
Mega Cat Studios, which developed the other Backyard games that have relaunched over the past year with Playground Productions, is set to develop ’01 as well.
Learn more with the launch trailer for Backyard Baseball ‘01 below:
Backyard Baseball ’01 – NOW AVAILABLE ON STEAM!
Lindsay Barnett, CEO, Playground Productions, said the following:
“We’re honored to partner with MLB to bring this iconic game to modern gaming devices for the first time. Backyard Baseball ‘01 was a game-changer in many ways—introducing some of the sport’s biggest legends into the Backyard universe.
We can’t wait for fans to relive the joy of building their dream team with both our beloved original characters and baseball’s greatest pros from that unforgettable era.”
Jamie Leece, MLB’s Senior Vice President, Gaming & Virtual Reality, also said the following:
“Backyard Baseball stands out with a special place in so many fans’ memories thanks to its endearing qualities and features that were especially rare for a video game of its time.
We are really excited to play a small part in authenticating this revitalization with MLB marks and look forward to the full circle moment where those who played this beloved game as children can bring it to a new generation in their families and friends.”
Players will be able to progress through secrecy, diplomacy, blackmail, coercion and seduction when the world of Psychic Software and Spiderwinkle Games’ The Necromancer’s Tale launches July 17.
Now available in Nexon’s Dungeon Fighter Online, the new June update brings with it the new Forged God, Nabel Raid, the first raid in Sunken Depths, and new events that have been designed to both upgrade and enhance players equipment.
Scarlet Moon, together with composer Osamu Kubota, have announced the release of the Parry Nightmare Original Game Soundtrack on all major streaming platforms.
With decades of experience, professional voice over artist Jessica Straus has made a tremendous impact in more than 100 roles across a number of iconic video games and anime.
Gamers Heroes recently spoke with professional voice actor Jessica Straus about her rich line of work, from Street Fighter bad girl Juri Han to Wolf’s Rain’s Blue – learn more with our interview.
Jessica Straus Fire & Ice RGX 2025 Interview – Professional Voice Actor Talks Street Fighter’s Juri, Wolf’s Rain, and More
It’s an honor to speak with you – I’ve heard you in so, so much! I was there day one for Super Street Fighter IV.
So Juri is huge – I’d like to know some of your favorite fan stories at events like Fire and Ice RGX. I saw a Juri cosplayer dressed to the nines yesterday!
Jessica Straus
This year, I’ve just started going out to conventions again, and I’ve seen more and more Juri cosplayers each convention.
A lot of fans are very passionate about Juri!
When fans come up, they’re always interested in multiple items, and they know everything about her.
I think there’s something about her that really affects people. She’s sort of bad, but she also has this energy of overcoming anything and courage.
I think the fans like that badass quality mixed in, as she’s sort of likable as well.
When fans come up, and I start talking about her, I get chills and get excited with them!
I love meeting the fans, and it’s definitely been an honor voicing a character over an arc of 15 years.
Gamers Heroes
I love how you gave IRONPINKY a shoutout at the event as well!
I believe there’s also stuff like children’s characters, Leapfrog characters, and more.
Do you have a particular style that you prefer?
Jessica Straus
I like doing a mixture!
If you do all evil characters, it’s the same thing all the time.
But my normal voice has a sort of lower, badass pitch to it.
I like doing a range of characters!
When it comes to kids voices, they don’t cast adults as kids as much these days. However, when they do, it’s just so much fun to play them!
It’s like so light-hearted to go to the sessions; it’s like, “Oh, I get to be a five-year-old today!”
Gamers Heroes
Absolutely!
So I’ve interviewed a number of VAs, and what I found is that they’re often friends with each other.
For instance, there’s a project I covered not too long ago called Date Everything! that featured over 100 VAs!
What are some of your favorite collaboration stories?
Jessica Straus
When I go to conventions, I always try to help out other actors!
For Street Fighter specifically, several years ago I did a picnic where I invited all the Street Fighter actors to come by and sign a 30th anniversary poster – we had a great time!
People came and signed it, and it then went to a charity auction.
I also got collectable cards from Udon of the characters from Street Fighter 6 and Street Fighter 5.
While everybody couldn’t make it, I had another picnic and I distributed it to the people that showed up – people got collectable cards!
Gamers Heroes
Changing gears…
When it comes to Wolf’s Rain and FLCL – they both have a lot of fans. I’ve seen a lot of AMVs!
With people inspired by Toonami and Adult Swim, what has it been like inspiring so many people – like me – that grew up with your work?
Jessica Straus
It’s amazing!
My favorite story of Blue so far comes from the conventions.
There was a great guy that watched Wolf’s Rain. He got married, had a little girl, and named her after Blue!
He then brought the daughter to my table, and had me sign the picture for her.
She’s probably about 10 now, and I have a picture of her. Somebody named their daughter Blue – that’s just so amazing to me!
She’s s a powerful character. I’ve also had people write papers about her for class and say:
“I wrote a whole philosophy about around Wolf’s Rain and Blue!”
I think it’s a story that’s timeless.
Gamers Heroes
Finally, what advice you have to give to the next generation of voice actors?
Jessica Straus
It was so different back then!
Back when I started, we didn’t even have home studios – we were always going to our agents.
My advice is to do it if you’re passionate about it, and get acting training or some kind of performance training.
Make sure that you love performing in front of other people, and you love transforming yourself into characters.
If you want to get into video game or anime acting, you got to take direction and turn your emotions on a dime.
Make sure to do it because you love it, and get training as well.
If it comes naturally to you, and you feel like this is where you belong, you should do it!
Gamers Heroes
I really appreciate your time. Nothing but respect!
Feeling social? Be sure to follow Jessica Straus on her Twitter/X, Instagram, and Bluesky social media accounts!
Thank you to both the Sac Gamers Expo and Fire & Ice teams for arranging the interview, and Jessica Straus for her time!
Gamers Heroes recently spoke with Ryan Drummond at Fire & Ice RGX 2025 to talk about his trailblazing role as Sonic the Hedgehog, his love for the Sonic community, and more – learn more with our interview.
Gamers Heroes recently spoke with Luckshot Games’ Chris Wade on Big Hops’ froggy adventure, talking everything from its community to its dream team to even its fantastic voice over work – learn more with our interview.
Gamers Heroes recently got a chance to ask Kitten Cup Studio about Capy Castaway, learning more about its fantastical world, the stellar work of composer Mark Sparling, and more – learn more with our interview.
Don’t know what Steam Next Fest games to play this June? Gamers Heroes has got you covered with 5 Steam Next Fest demos you must play – no multipage clickthrough required.
Gamers Heroes recently got a chance to ask Treehouse Games co-founder and CEO Michael Chu some questions of Voyagers of Nera and its grand adventure – learn more with our interview.
Players will be able to progress through secrecy, diplomacy, blackmail, coercion and seduction when the world of Psychic Software and Spiderwinkle Games’ The Necromancer’s Tale launches July 17.
Stepping into the shoes of a minor noble in 18th Century Italy, The Necromancer’s Tale will have players drawing players into the Dark Necromantic Arts as they set out to seek out knowledge – and revenge.
Learn more with the official launch trailer for The Necromancer’s Tale below:
The Necromancer’s Tale – Official Launch Trailer
Game Director Sam Redfern and Marketing Director Kirsty Halloran said the following:
“We didn’t want to create a hero’s tale, we wanted to give players the freedom to write their own descent. Whether you become a savior, a tyrant, or something worse… that’s entirely up to you.”
Interested in The Necromancer’s Tale? Be sure to wishlist the title via its Steam page – a demo is also available!
Now available in Nexon’s Dungeon Fighter Online, the new June update brings with it the new Forged God, Nabel Raid, the first raid in Sunken Depths, and new events that have been designed to both upgrade and enhance players equipment.
Scarlet Moon, together with composer Osamu Kubota, have announced the release of the Parry Nightmare Original Game Soundtrack on all major streaming platforms.
Packing deep customization, the largest roster in the series, and helpful caddies, learn more about Bandai Namco’s Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots with the overview trailer for the title.
Now available in Nexon’s Dungeon Fighter Online, the new June update brings with it the new Forged God, Nabel Raid, the first raid in Sunken Depths, and new events that have been designed to both upgrade and enhance players equipment.
Learn more about the latest updates coming to Dungeon Fighter Online below:
Enticing New Forged God Nabel Raid
Players will be able to challenge the first Raid in Sunken Depths called Forged God, Nabel, available in Solo, Matching, Normal and Hard Modes.
From there, players can delve deep into the locked memories of Mu, God of Mist and Memory, to discover the secrets of her forgotten past and the truth behind the mysterious Planet Terra as well.
Adventurers can then defeat Nabel to begin the hunt for the newest Fusion Stones, which serve to increase Set Point and provide substantial stat boosts tailored to the adventurer’s preferences.
Into the Engraved Memories of Forged God Nabel
Clearing the Forged God Nabel Raid within the first two weeks of its release will earn players exclusive honorary cosmetics.
Note that those who join the vanguard of veteran Adventurers will let all of Arad witness their might through unique costumes, party request frames and more!
In addition, three other events designed to provide plenty of Doom Oracles and additional farming support events will also be available to help Adventurers reach and defeat the Forged God.
Scarlet Moon, together with composer Osamu Kubota, have announced the release of the Parry Nightmare Original Game Soundtrack on all major streaming platforms.
Packing deep customization, the largest roster in the series, and helpful caddies, learn more about Bandai Namco’s Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots with the overview trailer for the title.
The June update for Amazon Games’ Throne and Liberty, set to launch June 26, brings with it the Altar of Calanthia: 12-player raid, along with a huge style update, Ascended Arch Bosses, and new heroic gear.
Thunderful, together with Sand Sailor Studios, have released the June update for their Viking survival tribe builder ASKA.
Scope out the majoe highlights of the ASKA June update below:
Smolkr Farming – With Smolkr farming, ASKA players can now capture and tame Smolkrs in the new Smolkr pen building, and farm (s)milk, meat, and leather scraps.
Cheesemaker Building – All those that dive into ASKA can now build the new Cheesemaker building, allowing them to produce cheese – a true ASKA delicacy!
New Huskarl and Hauberk Armor Sets – One can now suit up with two brand-new armor sets, giving players the chance to utilize another stylish option for protective outerwear.
Happiness System Overhaul – ASKA’s Villagers now have a tier based on their top proficiency, and will require related-tier food items. Houses now also feature a new attribute – area desirability – which will affect villager happiness.
Miscellaneous – This June update to ASKA also brings with it a range of UI improvements, optimizations, and general bug fixes.
ASKA is currently in Early Access – all those interested in checking it out can pick up the title for the PC via Steam at a 40% discount!
The Animal Husbandry Update is here! Time to smilk your smolkrs, Vikings! ⚔️🐐
Scarlet Moon, together with composer Osamu Kubota, have announced the release of the Parry Nightmare Original Game Soundtrack on all major streaming platforms.
Packing deep customization, the largest roster in the series, and helpful caddies, learn more about Bandai Namco’s Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots with the overview trailer for the title.
The June update for Amazon Games’ Throne and Liberty, set to launch June 26, brings with it the Altar of Calanthia: 12-player raid, along with a huge style update, Ascended Arch Bosses, and new heroic gear.
Featuring new tracks, all-new karts such as Hyperion Sunset and Hyperion Midnight, new pop idol-themed racers, and more, the KartRider Rush+ Season 33 ‘Beat!’ update is now live.
