MLB SlugFest 2006 Announced, Midway Allowed to Use License

From the statement:

MLB SlugFest 2006 is in development and scheduled to ship in Spring 2006 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, expected at a U.S. suggested retail price of $19.99.

“MLB SlugFest 2006 is the only adrenaline-style, officially MLB licensed baseball game on the market and we’re very excited to be able to offer gamers the latest in the SlugFest franchise at a great value,” said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. “At a competitive price point and in a year in which fewer than usual MLB licensed games exist, we’re certain that fans will embrace having a choice at retail, especially with the enhancements that we’ve been able to incorporate into MLB SlugFest 2006.”

Of course, 2K Games owns third party rights to the MLB - in other words, only Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft and 2K can make MLB games. However, when I asked Midway about this they explained that they had a pre-existing contract that expires at the end of 2006. The e-mail response:

"Midway’s contract(s) with Major League Baseball Properties and the Major League Baseball Players Association ran through 2006 and the exclusivity that Take Two received did not alter that existing contract. Therefore, Midway is able to publish an MLB licensed game in calendar 2006."

I'll post a screen when I get one. Oh, before I forget, Midways' Official Homepage

-Casey