Interviews | Blitz The League II

Blitz II Producer Jacob Beucler: “Caliendo Is A Beast”

Odds are that up to now no one has ever described comedian Frank Caliendo as “a beast.” But in this second and final interview segment with Blitz The League II producer Jacob Beucler covering the celebrity talent behind Blitz II the phrase gets tossed into the mix. While Lawrence Taylor gets top billing, comedians Jay Mohr and Caliendo lent their voices to characters in the game. Peter Eagan, the writer behind ESPN’s controversial Playmakers series, handled the script. Then there’s the nameless crew crew of stunt men that spent a week knocking each other into oblivion so the victims writhe in pain in exactly the right way on screen.

Hit the jump to read what Beucler had to say about dodging an Adult Only rating, getting Caliendo to use his John Madden voice to stick it to EA and stunt men losing all sensation in their feet. Read the rest of this entry »

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Das Contests

Das Caption Contest, Win A Copy Of Blitz The League II

The only football game on the market that reflects the seamier side of the NFL, Blitz The League II, hit shelves this week. Blitz II doesn’t have officially licensed NFL logos, team names or franchise NFL players. But you can make a good argument that it does a better job of representing all facets of pro pigskin that some other football titles on the market. Plus, where else can you play mini games like “jam the syringe in the lineman” or “pop in the dislocated shoulder?”

If you want a full run down on the features in Blitz II, read our interview with Midway developer Jacob Beucler. If you just want to skip all that and just go right into winning your copy of Blitz II for the Xbox 360, hit the jump and write a caption for the photo below in the comments section.
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Interviews | Blitz The League II

Midway’s Jacob Beucler On The Harsh Reality Of Blitz The League II

It will be a shame if Blitz: The League II doesn’t get the respect it deserves. The late hits, ménage a trois cut scenes and mini games that revolve around injecting players with painkillers could blind gamers and critics to the fact that Blitz is as fair a representation of the NFL as Madden. The shock of watching virtual vertebrae explode following a three-man collision could very well make gamers overlook the level of work and detail that went in to making those bones look so real as they splinter. But anyone who calls the violence in Blitz over the top needs to watch Arizona Cardinal Anquan Boldin get his sinuses caved in courtesy of Jets defensive backs Eric Smith and Kerry Rhodes.

Everything from the violence to the off-field depravity never strays too far from the truth. “This is hardcore football,” says senior associate producer Jacob Beucler, “We don’t feel like it’s lowest common denominator. We’re bringing it back. We’re showing this is how shit can roll when you’re playing with the big boys.” On top of it all, the game looks fun as hell to play. Hit the jump and let Beucler shed some light on everything from Midway execs clamoring to keep in references to the Dirty Sanchez to the level of effort that went into to making the clavicles shatter like it’s Sunday. Read the rest of this entry »

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News | Blitz The League II

Midway Revives Non-Licensed Football Franchise With Blitz: The League II

In 2007 Midway slapped Lawrence Taylor and Bill Romanowski on the cover of the original Blitz in generic football uniforms, blood trickling down their faces in the driving rain. The image conveyed several messages. But, “Assaulting a teammate and a arrests for crack cocaine won’t get in the way of your long term earning potential,” and, “Hey NFL, fuck you,” seemed to dominate. Read the rest of this entry »

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