Gamers will be able to play as women in “MLB The Show 24,” Sony Interactive Entertainment’s San Diego Studio announced Tuesday. Players can create a female avatar and play through a unique story in “Road to the Show: Women Pave Their Way.”
The update, an expansion of the game’s popular “Road to the Show” mode, will feature a distinct storyline that differs from the default offering for male characters. Anyone who creates a female character will be accompanied by Mia Lewis, a fictional player who will act as a teammate and friend helping spark major league dreams.
“Our team wanted to create something where dreams become a reality, and we felt like adding this to ’Road to the Show’ was the perfect opportunity that gave our players the option to experience this,” narrative designer Mollie Braley said in an interview with PlayStation.
This year’s edition of “The Show,” which will be released March 19, also features the return of “Storylines,” which spotlights several players from the Negro Leagues. Toni Stone, the first woman to play in a men’s professional baseball league in 1953, will be highlighted in this year’s game.
The news elicited rave reviews from activists like tennis legend Billie Jean King, who posted an applause emoji on social media after the announcement.
Braley said she hopes the new game mode will encourage more girls to play ball.
“This is a feature that goes beyond simply allowing players to create a woman ballplayer in the game,” she said. “It’s also meant to highlight the strength, tenacity and resilience that it takes to break into the sport, but not shy away from the struggles that many have faced.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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