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UFC 200 will be on DirecTV and streaming to Sony TVs in 4K
Need a reason to get excited about UFC 200 this weekend even though the headlining match has been called off? You should know that it will be available in 4K, through a couple of outlets. DirecTV is delivering the match in 4K on channel 106, while owners of Sony's Android TV-powered Ultra HD televisions (made in 2015 or 2016) can access it via the UFC app. Those appear to be the only two 4K sources for the fight, which is suddenly without the cachet of Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier 2 thanks to a "potential Anti-Doping Policy violation" by the former.
Play as Ronda Rousey in EA Sports' 'UFC 2' in March
UFC 2 lands on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on March 15th, and pre-orders are open right now. Pre-ordering grants players day-one access to UFC Hall of Famer Bas Rutten, "The Gracie Hunter" Kazushi Sakuraba and one mystery fighter.
UFC doesn't want you posting Ronda Rousey fights on Instagram
The running joke about a Ronda Rousey fight is that you can fit the whole thing into a 15-second Instagram video, if not a 6-second Vine -- she's so good that her opponents usually crumble in seconds. You may not see many of those bite-sized clips from her title bout this weekend, though. In a first, UFC is discouraging the press (not just the general public) from sharing unauthorized footage of the fight on the internet, whether it's a GIF animation or a looping video. There's no official explanation, but it's easy to see the concern: the league is worried that you'll skip that pay-per-view purchase knowing that a fan site could recap everything in a tweet.
Dos Anjos among cuatro fighters added to EA Sports UFC
A new content pack for EA Sports UFC is now available to download, adding four fighters to the mixed martial arts game's roster. The new fighters include light heavyweight bruiser Anthony "Rumble" Johnson and women's bantamweight fighter Holly Holm. The latest update also introduced two lightweight fighters: Eddie Alvarez and Rafael Dos Anjos. EA Sports offered sixth other free content updates for its introductory UFC game since it launched in June 2014. The last update for the game added big-name legendary fighters to the mix in December, such as Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Mark Coleman and Brock Lesnar. Past updates introduced new game mechanics to EA Sports UFC as well, such as Finish the Fight, kick catching and manual taunts. [Image: EA Sports]
EA Sports UFC kicks back on EA Access next week
The full version of EA Sports UFC will be available through EA Access starting next Thursday, December 18. The mixed martial arts game will enter the Xbox One streaming service's "Vault," allowing subscribers to play the game as much as they like. EA unveiled its $5 per month ($30 per year) subscription service in July, and EA Access went live for all players in August. EA Sports UFC just received its sixth free content update this week, which added popular and legendary fighters such as Mark Coleman and Brock Lesnar to the game. Thanks to its various updates, EA Access players have 18 new brawlers to use as well as new fighting mechanics like manual taunts and kick catching compared to when the game first launched in June. [Image: EA Sports]
Brock Lesnar among MMA legends now in EA Sports UFC
EA Sports issued its sixth content update for EA Sports UFC this week, introducing four new fighters to the game. The free update focuses on four legends of the octagon: one welterweight, one light heavyweight and two in the heavyweight division. The two heavyweight fighters are Mark Coleman and Brock Lesnar, the former being a member of UFC's Hall of Fame and winner of the organization's first heavyweight championship. The other two new playable MMA fighters are Matt Hughes (welterweight) and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (light heavyweight). While our review of EA Sports UFC found it to be a "barebones fighting game," the publisher has introduced a handful of free updates since its June launch. This week's four legends join 14 other fighters that were added to the Xbox One and PS4 game, such as Diego Sanchez and Matt Brown. The free updates also added a number of game mechanics like "Finish the Fight," manual taunts, kick catching and guillotine takedown reversals. [Image: EA Sports]
Apple TV gains new YouTube app and additional channels
Apple TV owners are getting a holiday viewing gift today, with the addition of four new channels and a new YouTube app designed to act more like the apps found on other platforms. The new YouTube app provides easier access to subscriptions and searching, and also adds OAuth for login if you'd prefer additional security. Sadly, the new YouTube update means that you'll now get ads along with your favorite cat videos. There's no way to opt out, so get used to those 15- and 30-second blurbs for everything from dinner rolls to car insurance. The new channels on Apple TV include UFC, The Scene, Fusion, and Daily Motion (a French video upload site). UFC will provide premium subscription fighting and martial arts content, either through pay-per-view or a US$99 annual "Fight Pass". Conde Nast is the content provider behind The Scene, which provides video content from Conde Nast magazines and sites like The Verge. Fusion is a joint venture of ABC and Univision, providing video programming for a "young and diverse audience". The new channels and the YouTube update become available today, and you'll be able to tell what's new thanks to a small blue "New" banner that now appears on the app buttons.
EA Sports UFC taunts three new fighters
EA Sports UFC received a new content update today that expands the game's roster and offers a few tweaks to its gameplay formula. The mixed martial arts game now includes heavyweight fighter Stipe Miocic as well as welterweight fighters Matt Brown and Mike Pyle. The game's first content update arrived just over a month ago, and also added three fighters to the mix: TJ Dillashaw, Takeya Mizugaki and Tyron Woodley. As for gameplay changes in today's update, players will now be able to manually taunt their opponents mid-fight by pressing left or right on the d-pad. They will have the ability to counter their opponents' kicks during parries by catching their legs, which can lead into a single leg to half guard takedown. Also, the referee will put an end to the match if a submissive fighter "blocks too many strikes without trying to improve their position during ground and pound," which will keep fights from stalling. EA also adjusted the stamina lost from successful strikes. Head past the break for a trailer that shows EA Sports UFC's three new combatants. [Image: EA Sports]
EA Sports UFC adds three fighters, finishes the fight
EA Sports UFC received a free update this week that adds three fighters to the next-gen mixed martial arts game. Of the three new fighters, two are in the bantamweight division, as bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw joins the roster along with Takeya Mizugaki. The third addition is in the welterweight division, Tyron Woodley. Additionally, the free update includes a number of bug fixes as well as some gameplay improvements. The developer added sprawl animations after defending power takedowns and the ability to throw extra shots at opponents that get knocked out in order to finish the fight. Plus, both power takedowns and side control sweeps have been removed from fighters that wouldn't normally be able to pull them off. For those that prefer being more cordial in their bouts, EA also added new glove-touching animations at the start of each round, which fighters can do by pressing L2 on PS4 or LT on Xbox One. To keep fights moving in EA Sports UFC, stamina will no longer regenerate for players that stand around and hold the block button, and they can break clinches when pressed against the cage by pressing L3. [Image: EA Sports]
Learn to punch, kick and gogoplata with EA Sports UFC primer
That demo we mentioned for EA Sports UFC arrives today, and to prepare players for the octagon, EA has compiled a handy collection of tips on how to best pummel your half-naked opponent into bloody submission. More than a minor primer, EA's guide is a surprisingly comprehensive introduction to the intricate fight mechanics built for the game. Not only does the publisher offer a series of short vignettes designed to instruct players on striking and grappling, but it also covers the basics of defense and proper positioning. After you've got the basics down, you can then move on to EA's guide on how best to make your opponent tap out. EA Sports UFC offers a massive number of submission options, though, as always, you can't go wrong by just snapping a dude's arm in half. Having absorbed all of this information, you are now ready to throw down against a real, virtual opponent. Though EA Sports UFC won't hit shelves until June 17, both Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network now feature a gratis demo. [Image: EA]
EA Sports UFC clinches June 3 demo, submits new gameplay video
EA Sports UFC is just a few weeks from entering the digital octagon on June 17 for PS4 and Xbox One, but those looking to get a few practice rounds in can download its demo next week. The demo, which features co-cover athletes Alexander Gustafsson and reigning light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones, will be available June 3 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4. EA also offered a new entry in its gameplay video series this week, detailing the game's strategic submission system. The trailer shows Ronda Rousey getting the upper hand on Miesha Tate and ultimately submitting her via her popular armbar move. As detailed in a developer blog, the submission mechanic in the game features a HUD similar to that of THQ's final MMA game, UFC Undisputed 3, in which players must flick the right stick in one of four directions to either advance their submission attempt or defend against the attacker. Past videos showed off EA Sports UFC's career mode, which starts players out in its owner version of The Ultimate Fighter reality show, gave players a glimpse at the playable legend Bruce Lee in action and also showed a full round of fighting between Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis. [Image: EA Sports]
One round in the cage with EA Sports UFC's gameplay trailer
This trailer for EA Sports UFC shows a punchy five-minute round between Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis in the game. EA's mixed martial arts game will launch June 17 for Xbox One and PS4, and includes a career mode that kicks off with The Ultimate Fighter and Bruce Lee as an unlockable fighter.
'EA Sports UFC' looks to bring out the mixed martial arts fighter in you
Given the success of franchises like FIFA and Madden, it's easy to see why EA would want to commit valuable resources to developing an MMA title, a sport that's been getting bigger and bigger over the past few years. But the road for creating this new game, dubbed EA Sports UFC, wasn't an easy one. The relationship between UFC President Dana White and EA had its complications a few years ago. Back then, the developer reportedly wasn't interested in making a title for the mixed martial arts company, which is what started the kerfuffle between them. Because of this, UFC eventually hooked up with THQ to create a game, while EA Sports went on to develop its own MMA series. Still, neither of these things lasted too long. And after the unfortunate demise of THQ, EA Sports eventually reached a deal with UFC, granting it licensing rights for the popular MMA league. The by-product? EA Sports UFC.
EA Sports UFC trailer empties its mind with Bruce Lee
This trailer for EA Sports UFC discusses Bruce Lee's impact on the sport of mixed martial arts and shows snippets of Lee in action within the digital octagon. Lee was revealed as an unlockable character for the game in April, available to those that beat the game's career mode on pro difficulty or higher. EA Sports UFC's career mode was detailed at the end of April, and offers players the chance to fight their way out of the reality show competition The Ultimate Fighter while improving their fighter's skills and attracting money-making sponsors. Career mode players will need to balance "longevity" and "popularity" gauges by finishing their battles in spectacular fashion while also staying healthy to prolong their time in the UFC. Players will want to extend the amount of time they spend with the game, as EA CEO Andrew Wilson contemplated a bi-annual release schedule for games in the series in late March. That may free up the publisher's Fight Night team to develop a new boxing game, as the series is currently on hold while the team works on EA Sports UFC. The MMA game is due out June 17 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and a demo for the game is expected either before or shortly after it launches. [Image: EA Sports]
Become the Ultimate Fighter in EA Sports UFC's career mode
EA dished out some details today on EA Sports UFC's career mode, which will drop created fighters into the game's version of the UFC's popular reality TV series, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). Participating in the TUF tournament lands players on a team coached by a real-life fighter, training and battling to earn evolution and experience points to boost their combatant's physical skills and unlock special abilities. The game's career mode also features popularity and longevity gauges, the former impacting the attention players receive from sponsors and other fighters, who send players video messages in the game. So long as championship hopefuls fight smart and don't take too many hard hits in their careers, their longevity meter will stay steady enough to grant them lengthy stays in the UFC. EA Sports UFC will enter the octagon on June 17 for Xbox One and PS4 and includes Bruce Lee as an unlockable fighter. [Image: EA Sports]
Let fists fly before you buy with upcoming EA Sports UFC demo
While not as monumental or unexpected as yesterday's news that legendary martial artist Bruce Lee will join the EA Sports UFC roster, it is nice to learn that EA is planning to release a demo for the combat sports game. Yesterday, a fan asked the game's official Twitter account about the possibility of a demo, and was met with an affirmative response. "Yup," EA's account tweeted. "There will be a demo." Unfortunately, EA has offered no mention of when the demo might debut, but it's safe to say it will appear either before or shortly after the June 17 Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launch of EA Sports UFC. According to developer EA Canada, more information on the demo will appear shortly. [Image: EA]
EA Sports' UFC game bends reality by letting you fight as Bruce Lee
If you're EA, how do you build up hype for EA Sports UFC -- a license-based fighting game where players will largely know what to expect? You promise them Bruce Lee, that's what. Yes, PS4 and Xbox One gamers will get to pit the Game of Death star against the UFC roster despite a 41-year gap separating the two. You'll have instant access to Lee if you pre-order, and he's otherwise unlockable. EA justifies this by contending that Lee is the "father of mixed martial arts;" that sort of makes sense given Lee's style and Judo knowledge, but the inclusion stretches the definition of MMA (and, arguably, taste) to the limit. If you've ever wanted to know how Jeet Kune Do fares against Brazilian Jiujitsu, though, you now have a good reason to look forward to EA Sports UFC's release on June 17th.
EA CEO: Publisher may skip a year between future UFC games
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson recently contemplated a bi-annual release schedule for future MMA games that follow EA Sports UFC, which is slated to launch on Xbox One and PS4 this year. In an interview with CNN's Fortune Tech, Wilson described the frequency of some games and the "appetite" players have for them, noting that the UFC brand "feels like it's in that every-other-year mix" without committing to that release schedule as a guaranteed development plan. "We get a new GTA game every four or five years, but there is an immense appetite. What we're looking at right now is how long is it going to take us to build a truly innovative game in that genre, and when do we think gamers are going to be ready for that next one," Wilson said. EA announced the acquisition of the UFC license at E3 2012 following the demise of THQ, which published three UFC games. THQ's crack at the series began with annual releases in UFC 2009: Undisputed and UFC Undisputed 2010 prior to a two-year absence in the series. THQ's final game, UFC Undisputed 3, reportedly failed to "break even" at two million units sold as of June 2012. "Do I think that UFC would be an every year game? I don't know," Wilson said. "It feels like it's in that every-other-year mix, but in all honesty we haven't made that decision yet. That really comes down to how long it's going to take to make a great game and when do we think the audience is ready." EA Canada's Fight Night team is behind EA Sports UFC's development, led by creative director and Fight Night Round 4 and Fight Night Champion gameplay designer Brian Hayes. Wilson previously noted that the Fight Night series is "on hold" while the developer works on EA Sports UFC. [Image: EA Sports]
EA Sports UFC trailer gets knocked down, but it gets up again
One of the lacking aspects of previous mixed martial arts games like THQ's UFC 3 is the true sense of physical contact between the fighters on screen. EA Sports UFC will attempt to close that gap on next-gen consoles, if the game's latest trailer is any indicator. Creative Director Brian Hayes discusses the interaction between fighters and their surroundings in the gameplay trailer, putting skin-rippling kicks and arm-wrenching submissions on display. It also shows the effects of a "full-body deformation system" in which "flesh displaces flesh," which sounds pretty gross the more we think about it. EA Sports UFC will launch sometime this year for Xbox One and PS4. [Image: EA Sports]
EA Sports UFC footage details fighter likeness
If there's one major selling point for EA Sports UFC, it's the detailed likeness of its fighters. The publisher touted as much in its latest trailer for the PS4 and Xbox One MMA game, which is due out this spring.
