Wild Card Football is the latest entry in Saber’s Playground Sports franchise. The game is set to launch on October 10 on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and today we’re excited to tell you more about the game and kick off our pre-orders by debuting four legacy players taking the field!
Jerry Rice, Dan Marino, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders, all with unique uniforms, will be available in-game to anyone that pre-orders Wild Card Football. We’re thrilled to have these iconic legends join the hundreds of active pro players on our Wild Card Football roster.
Bringing Legends to Life in Wild Card Football
We knew from the beginning we wanted Wild Card Football to celebrate some of the greatest legacy players to ever take the field, and who better to showcase in-game than four icons that revolutionized the sport: Quarterback Dan Marino, Wide Receiver Jerry Rice and Running Backs Walter Payton (RB) and Barry Sanders (RB). Looking back on the most extraordinary seasons in league history, these four champions consistently dominate the charts, and their unwavering dedication both on and off the field has left an unforgettable mark.
As longtime football fans, it was important for us to faithfully recreate these legends in a way that truly showcases their signature talents. Players can throw darts with “Dan the Man” Marino, reel in touchdowns with Jerry “World” Rice, high-step into the end zone as Walter “Sweetness” Payton, and juke past defenders with the electrifying Barry Sanders.
Each legacy player also comes equipped with unique outfits, available on launch day to everyone who pre-orders the game. Recreating their uniforms with a playful twist from different eras has been a fun way of paying homage to the past. There’s a lot of really stylish uniforms in Wild Card Football, but adding some that touch these different time periods with our Playgrounds flare creates an aesthetic that’s both familiar but also distinctly one-of-a-kind to our game. Of course, if these aren’t your style, there are still plenty of outlandish outfits to choose from, alongside some more traditional football uniforms as well.
Bringing Back Arcade-Style Football
Football fans are long familiar with great arcade football games, and we thought it was time to bring them back, Playgrounds Sports-style. Those who know our other Playgrounds titles might instantly recognize the look and style of Wild Card Football.
It was important for us to add the kind of fun, fast-paced, over-the-top action to the great game of football that we feel has been missing for a long time. Want to use a power-up and call down some UFOs to abduct your opponent while they’re trying to run free to the end zone? We got that! Want to turn into a human rocket and propel yourself at the running back to help make the tackle? Yep, that’s in there. Want to turn into a giant or freeze the defense with an ice breath? We got that as well! How do you do all of this? Via our all-new wild cards, of course!
About Those Power-Ups!
In Wild Card Football, we introduce a pre-snap, power-up card selection that allows you to modify gameplay in a way never before seen on the gridiron. Increase speed, reduce opponent stamina, even throw up a rock wall to stuff a run. The options are nearly limitless! But remember to be strategic, since every card costs energy. Do you play your biggest card early, or build up energy and unleash a defense-shattering tornado when you might need it most? Choose wisely!
There’s plenty of fun and creative ways to get the best of your opponent and play these cards to your advantage, and the ones I’ve mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg. We’ll be sharing plenty more about power-ups and game modes while showcasing additional gameplay now through launch. We can’t wait to see you on the field on October 10!