The Kinectaku signature "belly flop"

No pool required

Michael Phelps – Push the Limit may well be the first video game dedicated to swimming, and is exclusively on the way to Kinect in June from UK developer Blitz Games Studios and publisher 505 Games.

With the backing of Olympic gold medal hoarder Michael Phelps, the Kinect-exclusive game hopes to recreate the thrill of competitive swimming without the need for a pool. Players start their career as an unknown swimming before going onto compete in the Annual Games against Phelps himself, who provides guidance throughout the game to help you improve your strokes.

The first screenshots are below, and we'll have a trailer available soon. Will you be dipping into your pockets for a spot of swimming?

505 GAMES ANNOUNCES MICHAEL PHELPS – PUSH THE LIMIT COMING TO KINECT FOR XBOX 360 IN JUNE 2011

Michael Phelps Challenges You to a High-Octane Race in First Controller-Free Swimming Experience; Game Trailer Offers First Look into Michael Phelps – Push the Limit Featuring Phantom HD Footage

Agoura Hills, CA — February 2, 2011 — Global videogame publisher 505 Games today announced the first game to release in its partnership with Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps – Push the Limit, one of the most realistic and intense sports simulation video games ever, coming to Kinect™ for Xbox 360® in June 2011. Take a competitive sports journey with one of the most celebrated athletes in history through Michael Phelps – Push the Limit, the first controller-free swimming experience to capture your true movements and translate them into accurate gameplay. The game, developed by Blitz Games, puts you in complete control of an up-and-coming swimmer entering the exciting and grueling world of competitive swimming in the hope of taking down Michael Phelps.

“Push the Limit is a fun, innovative, and physical way to game that is complete with elements that will challenge serious gamers, swimmers and casual fans,” said Phelps. “I’m really excited to help bring a one-of-a-kind swimming video game to the market that is reflective of my competitive nature and passion for swimming. This definitely isn’t your typical video game; much like my training in the pool, Push the Limit is about improving and mastering every race element - from controlling your adrenaline on the block to perfectly timing your finish. In my world, it takes a lifetime of dedication to get one-hundredth of a second ahead, and I believe Push the Limit offers players a unique journey inside swimming that will challenge themselves as much as their in-game competitors.”

Check out Michael Phelps – Push the Limit in the first game trailer which can be viewed at www.michaelphelpsgame.com. The trailer was filmed on location at Loyola University Maryland in Phelps’ hometown of Baltimore and features the first time he has been captured utilizing the innovative Phantom HD, a high-speed camera that is often used for movies and sports to garner the visual quality of high definition imaging with frame rates up to 1000 per second to capture incredible detail.

With more than 8 million Kinect for Xbox 360s sold since its launch, the demand for a controller-free experience is high and Michael Phelps – Push the Limit utilizes Kinect for Xbox 360’s unique capabilities to let players go beyond the pool in one of the most realistic and intense sports simulations ever created. The entirely new gameplay mechanic lets players accurately master the action of gold medal swim strokes and learn techniques that help Michael Phelps dominate his sport. With one-hundredth of a second often the difference between winning and losing, every stroke’s importance is amplified and the room for error is razor thin.

“It is an honor for myself and everyone here at 505 to work with Michael Phelps, a truly transcendent athlete who has brought unprecedented glory to competitive swimming,” said Ian Howe, President of 505 Games. “His guidance and feedback have proven invaluable to the development process, and in-game he will mentor players in their journey from an unknown challenger to a powerful swimmer capable of beating the best in the world.”

In Career Mode, players compete in successive tournaments and travel to some of the most breathtaking locales the sport has seen. Race in progressively more challenging competitions, trekking from heated outdoor pools set against icy mountain ranges, to a Japanese dojo, to a huge, 80,000 seat outdoor arena as Phelps guides players along the way with tips and tricks of the trade. The path to glory culminates with the Annual Games tournament where players can find themselves up against the best swimmers in the world – including Michael Phelps!

505 Games also supports the Michael Phelps Foundation and its efforts to help grow the sport of swimming and encourage active lives, especially for children. For more information on Michael Phelps – Push the Limit, please visit www.michaelphelpsgame.com and be sure to follow us on Twitter