Michael Phelps Wants You To 'Push The Limit' With His Video Game
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore's Olympic champion Michael Phelps is diving into new waters and challenging you to "Push the Limit" against him in his new video game.
Mary Bubala and Michael Phelps enter the world of animation under the sea.
The first video game designed around an Olympic swimmer will put us in the lane right next to Michael Phelps. Developed by 505 Games, "Michael Phelps: Push the Limit" goes way beyond the boundaries of an ordinary video game.
Phelps was actively involved in the game's design, look and feel.
"Being able to come up with this game---this interactive, realistic game---that we were able to work together and throw all these ideas at each other, I think it was cool," Phelps said.
Phelps' video game feels so much like the real thing...and there's a good reason why. The images in the game are real, captured by an underwater filmmaker and then computer generated.
Nick Caloyianis is a world-renowned underwater photographer from Baltimore. He's captured images of everything from great white sharks to the greatest Olympian ever.
"They are both fast and aggressive and go through the water like a knife," Caloyianis said. "One minute, he's in front of your camera and then next minute, he's 20 yards away from you."
WJZ captured Phelps going one-on-one against the game's developer. It's intense, but there was no doubt who would win: the very competitive Olympic champion.
"It's just how I am, it's the kind of personality I have. I don't want to lose, whether it's playing my own video game, playing a different video game or anything I do, I am super competitive. I don't handle losing very well," Phelps said.
And that competitiveness has served Phelps well as he ventures into untested waters of a celebrity swimmer and entrepreneur. Endorsement deals---including Speedo, Visa, Omega and Under Armour---already push Phelps' worth into seven figures. Now his video game could earn him millions more.
"In my world, it takes a lifetime of dedication to win," Phelps said.
For those of us brave enough to even try to compete against the greatest swimmer that's ever lived---good luck.
"Michael Phelps: Push the Limit" is expected to be released next month. They're already working on the next one.
