Playground Productions, a leading full-service production company focused on creating top-tier content for children and families, has announced a major milestone with the development of a new video game in the Backyard Sports franchise. This project marks the beginning of a new chapter for the brand, known for its fun, humor, inclusivity, and sense of community for audiences of all ages.
In partnership with Mega Cat Studios, Playground Productions is working on a next-generation video game that will offer a fresh take on the classic Backyard games. The new title will feature all the beloved original characters, as well as some new additions, while keeping the comedy, diversity, accessibility, and fun that made the original titles fan favorites. The game will also teach kids sports rules and strategies, with difficulty levels designed to challenge both newcomers and long-time fans.
This new game builds on the success of Playground Productions’ October re-launch of Backyard Baseball ’97, which became a global top-seller on Steam. Following this, Backyard Soccer ’98 will be available for purchase on Steam and via Steam Deck starting November 27. Other retro titles such as Backyard Football ’99, Backyard Basketball ’01, Backyard Baseball ’01, and Backyard Hockey ’02 are now available for wishlist on Steam. Fans who follow the Backyard Sports franchise page will receive notifications about official game drops.
Lindsay Barnett, Founder & CEO, and Chris Waters, Chief Product Officer, lead Playground Productions with a mission to create media that resonates across generations. By combining cutting-edge technology and character IP, Playground is crafting engaging, educational experiences that entertain, educate, and inspire.
Looking ahead, Playground Productions and Mega Cat Studios are working to make classic Backyard Sports titles accessible for mobile devices, aiming to reach an even wider audience. This new video game is just the start, as Playground is planning many more ways for Backyard fans to connect with their favorite characters.
