Some of you might be wondering what Cal Ripken, Jr. is doing with his life. Well, after retiring in 2001 and becoming a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee last January, the charismatic class act has taken the next logical step for a famous athlete: he’s lent his name to a baseball videogame. But Cal Ripken’s Real Baseball — or, as I like to call it, “bland, generic videogame title #143” — is not your typical annual-installment sports title.

I didn’t even know that such a thing existed, but CRRB is an MMOSG — as in, a Massively Multiplayer Online Sports Game. In fact, according to the press release (available after the jump), it’s the first one ever created. If you’re scratching your head right now, don’t worry; I did the same exact thing when I started reading up on the game. Up until a few weeks ago, CRRB had been known as Ultimate Baseball Online, a game that was first launched nearly four years ago by publisher Netamin (along with ESPN).

Apparently, you can play as a member of a full nine-player team, and it’s not a strategy game or anything — you actually hit, pitch, field, and run in real time. Ripken’s involvement with the game entails the duties of “official spokesperson”, and you can see him doing his thing in this promotional video for the game. CRRB is free, and it’s only available on the PC.

Perhaps Ripken’s name will lend some legitimacy to the upstart MMOSG, but personally, I doubt it (to me, this seems destined to fail). Then again, I don’t do MMOs — though if you’re interested, more information is available at the game’s official Web site and at its Wikipedia page. Check them out!

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Signs Deal with Netamin Communication Corporation For CAL RIPKEN'S REAL BASEBALL
Completely Free Online Game is a Unique Sports Experience and Online Community For Baseball Fans Around the World

DIAMOND BAR, CALIF. - Mar 05, 2008 Netamin Corporation announced today that baseball's all-time "Iron Man" and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cal Ripken, Jr. is the official spokesperson for Real Baseball, a free online computer game and community for sports enthusiasts around the world. Cal Ripken's Real Baseball is a brand new version of the community/computer game previously known as Ultimate Baseball Online or UBO. The new URL is PlayRealBaseball.com.

Cal Ripken's Real Baseball enables gamers to compete in a Massively Multiplayer Online Sport Game (MMOSG), meaning each position on the field is manned by a human player in a 3-D virtual stadium. Players can create their own characters and build their skill level (player stats) through successful play on the field against other real human players. Unlike current online games that aim to simulate professional sports, Real Baseball (RB) delivers a first-person perspective of a character, created and developed by the player, interacting online in real-time with teammates and opponents playing from numerous locations.

"Real Baseball is a fun game that provides the players with a unique perspective and delivers a one of a kind lifelike baseball experience," said Ripken. "The online baseball community reinforces baseball fundamentals and provides baseball fans and gamers with a challenging experience. It is a great destination for baseball fans of all ages."

Real Baseball was created by Andy Wang, founder and CEO of Netamin Communication Corporation, the first company in the world to develop the technology to build a Massively Multiplayer Online Sports Game (MMSOG). Netamin is headquartered in Diamond Bar, California with additional operations in Korea.

"We are very excited to partner with Cal in an effort to make our website and video game even better for baseball lovers across the globe," said Andy Wang, founder and CEO of Netamin. "We strive to make Real Baseball the most authentic baseball video game it can be, and adding Cal to our team not only strengthens our brand, but connects us with a baseball legend that will take our video game and community to the next level."

Real Baseball has been in existence for three years in a beta mode under the name Ultimate Baseball Online. Over the past three years Ultimate Baseball Online has seen strong participation in the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Korea, England, Italy, South Africa, Brazil and Australia.

About Cal Ripken's Real Baseball (www.PlayRealBaseball.com):

In Cal Ripken's Real Baseball, baseball enthusiasts and gamers compete in 3D virtual stadiums. With stunning graphics and surround-sound audio reactions from the crowd, participants control customized characters for each position and compete together against other Real Baseball gamers. Players use an avatar to bat, pitch, field, run, steal and perform any baseball action. Participants can practice, play pick-up games, join or found their own teams, compete against rival teams, play in specialized tournaments, and win league championships in post-season play. Gamers create their own characters and build their skill level (player stats) through successful play on the field against other real human players. Unlike current video games that aim to simulate professional sports, Real Baseball delivers a first-person perspective of a character, created and developed by the player, interacting online in real-time with teammates and opponents.

Website: http://www.playrealbaseball.com

About Netamin (www.Netamin.com):

Netamin Communication Corporation, a pioneer in Massively Multiplayer Online Sports Games (MMOSG), is headquartered in Diamond Bar, California with additional operations in Korea. The company launched its first MMOSG title, Ultimate Baseball Online, in 2004, with subsequent titles planned in the team sports genre. Founded in 1998, Netamin is a privately held corporation aiming to provide an online virtual playing field for all major sports. For more information, please visit www.Netamin.com.

Website: http://www.netamin.com