November 2, 2023
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), ESA member company Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation and Major League Baseball (MLB) hosted a reception a few days before Game 1 of the 2023 World Series to celebrate MLB The Show 23. For the first time, MLB The Show includes educational and play functions incorporating the diverse history and backgrounds of the Black and Latino athletes of the Negro Leagues. The reception brought together Members of Congress, video game industry leaders and other important stakeholders to honor this historic collaboration between PlayStation Studios, the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
When reflecting on the evolution of video games over the past five decades, advancements in technology and graphics are noteworthy, but the strides in including important storylines – like those of the Negro Leagues players – are truly remarkable. During the event, guests had the opportunity to play the video game and learn about this pivotal era in history that paved the way for the inclusion of Black and Latino communities in baseball. Whether players are avid baseball fans or regular video game players, they can witness this groundbreaking feat from a first-person perspective in a fun and educational way.
Alongside opportunities to play the video game, industry executives and stakeholders touched on the progress represented in the game and the importance behind this historic collaboration. Speakers included Sonya Pankey Robinson, daughter of Jackie Robinson Jr., Board Member, Jackie Robinson Foundation; Bob Kendrick, President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Sean Gibson, President, Negro Leagues Family Alliance; Ramone Russell, Product Development Communications and Brand Strategist, Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation; and Stanley Pierre-Louis, ESA President & CEO.
Special thanks to Mrs. Pankey Robinson, Mr. Kendrick, Mr. Gibson and the families of the Negro Leagues players who traveled to Washington, DC for the event.
Learn more about MLB The Show 23 at https://theshow.com/.
