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WWE 2K15's 'My Career' mode crashing Xbox One systems
WWE 2K15 launched off the top ropes and into Xbox One and PS4 systems this week, and was met with a number of technical issues as it landed. Polygon reported that Xbox One versions of the game crashed during multiple attempts to play My Career mode, a game-breaking problem listed by others on 2K's official support forums. One player discovered a trick that appeared to solve the issue: Disconnecting their system from the Internet seemed to make My Career mode available to them. 2K's support team addressed other concerns, such as instances where PS4 players are unable to download add-on content like the Sting and Hulk Hogan characters. Additionally, the publisher offered a guide for players stuck on the game's demo match, which happens for those downloading the launch update at the same time. We've reached out to 2K for information on the game's early issues and will update as we learn more. [Image: 2K]
Upload your face to this WWE 2K15 trailer
2K offered a new trailer for WWE 2K15 today, showing off a bit of the game's superstar customization options. The latest entry in the wrestling series from Yuke's and Visual Concepts allows players to upload photographs to 2K's servers, importing their likenesses onto the heads of custom wrestlers. Head past the break to check out the video, which also boasts custom tattoo and logo options in the game's creation suite. WWE 2K15 is already available on Xbox 360 and PS3, having launched last week. 2K's wrestling series will debut on PS4 and Xbox One on November 18 in North America and November 21 internationally. The game features a historical rivalries "2K Showcase" mode as well as a My Career mode similar to the publisher's other popular sports series, NBA 2K. Its $25 season pass includes three additional stories for the 2K Showcase mode. [Image: 2K]
WWE Network launch gets delayed at the 11th hour (update)
While wrestling fans in 170 countries have been able to enjoy WWE's standalone streaming service for a number of months, UK addicts have been waiting to be tagged in. The launch of the WWE Network was reportedly delayed due to discussions over TV rights, but those issues have presumably been settled, allowing Brits to get in on the action from 8pm tonight. Users will be able to stream on the web, iOS and Android for free this month, with support for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One and Xbox 360 arriving on November 18th. Once the trial is up, you'll be charged $9.99 (£6.25) per month -- the same amount as US members, suggesting the company will let your bank work out what you pay using the current exchange rate.
Breaking kayfabe: How WWE video games are impacted by the 'Reality Era'
Let's start with a concession: there is a large swath of readers who are hesitant to discuss professional wrestling with any sort of seriousness. It's viewed as a low art form by some, and many others would balk at even considering it art. But even those readers can concede that professional wrestling is a popular form of entertainment. There are very few people, perhaps other than young children, who believe that professional wrestling is real in the way that a boxing match or MMA fight is real. That's not, however, to say that professional wrestling is 'fake,' as some of its detractors deride. The proper term would be 'scripted,' because when a person falls off a 12-foot ladder, it's going to hurt. That pain is real, regardless of whether or not it was pre-determined.
WWE 2K15 season pass includes three new rivarlies
2K Sports detailed its downloadable content plans for WWE 2K15 today, divulging information on the game's season pass program as well. The wrestling game will receive three additional 2K Showcase stories, two character packs and one moves pack. The game's 2K Showcase mode features two historical rivalries, John Cena versus CM Punk as well as Triple H versus Shawn Michaels, as Yuke's and Visual Concepts' major single-player feature. The three additional rivalries are One More Match (2011's Randy Orton versus Christian rivalry), Hall of Pain (the top matches of Mark Henry) and Path of the Warrior (the career of Ultimate Warrior) for $10 each. Those 2K Showcase bonuses as well as the WWE Diva Paige and the game's "accelerator" on-disc content unlock tool will all be part of the $25 season pass. The other three pieces of DLC, which are not included in WWE 2K15's season pass, add over 30 new moves ($4), WCW superstars like Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger ($8) and NXT wrestlers such as JBL, Adam Rose and Emma ($7) to the game. WWE 2K15 will launch on October 28 for PS3 and Xbox 360, then on November 18 for PS4 and Xbox One. Those that pre-order the game will receive two playable versions of WCW icon Sting as well. [Image: 2K Sports]
Get a push, win the belt in WWE 2K15's 'My Career' mode
2K Sports offered details today on WWE 2K15's other career mode, My Career. Much like the mode of the same name in Visual Concepts' NBA 2K series, in My Career, players take a custom wrestler through the career path of a WWE superstar. The mode begins by having players learn the ropes at the Orlando-based WWE Performance Center, eventually headlining WrestleMania and winning the top championship titles in the company. The mode features seasoned trainer Bill DeMott and general manager Vickie Guerrero, the latter setting matches and giving wrestlers goals to advance their career. As the journey unfolds, wrestlers improve their attributes and unlock new abilities and moves while developing alliances and rivalries with others on the WWE roster. With each decision a player makes in My Career, the crowd's reaction will change and "multiple branching storylines, surprises, twists and turns" will manifest, complimenting the game's other, historical career mode, 2K Showcase. WWE 2K15 will launch October 28 for Xbox 360 and PS3, arriving later on November 18 for PS4 and Xbox One. [Image: 2K Sports]
WWE 2K15 gameplay trailer jumps the boogie
It may be 2014, but this WWE 2K15 trailer is partying like it's 1999. Set to Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba," the video flashes the entrances of wrestlers like Randy Orton, John Cena and Brock Lesnar before showing off moves in the ring like Rey Mysterio's 619. WWE 2K15 will launch October 28 for Xbox 360 and PS3. The game's PS4 and Xbox One versions were delayed to November 18 earlier this month. Those that pre-order the wrestling game will receive two versions of the iconic WCW wrestler Sting. The marquee story mode for this year's WWE game from Yuke's is 2K Showcase, which spotlights the lengthy feuds between Shawn Michaels and Triple H as well as John Cena and CM Punk. The historical mini-documentary-style mode spans 33 matches and unlocks additional attire, wrestlers and championship titles for use in the rest of the game. [Image: 2K Sports]
WWE 2K15 delayed to November on next-gen
WWE 2K15 has been delayed to November 18 in North America on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, 2K announced today. The international release of the game on the next-gen systems has also been pushed back to November 21. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will still arrive on October 28 in North America and October 31 internationally, as originally announced in May. "Visual Concepts and Yukes are committed to delivering the most authentic and action-packed WWE experience to date, including release for the very first time on next-generation consoles," Visual Concepts President Greg Thomas said via press release. "The additional development time enables our talented teams to ensure the WWE 2K15 next-gen experience fully meets our expectations." The game will feature a historical rivalry mode that focuses on two feuds in WWE's history: CM Punk versus John Cena and Triple H versus Shawn Michaels. [Image: 2K Sports]
Watch Randy Orton, Goldust enter the ring in WWE 2K15
While we still don't know how well the actual wrestling aspect of WWE 2K15 will hold up, these two vignettes - one above and one below the break - demonstrate that the developers certainly understand the over-the-top theatrics that have turned pro wrasslin' into sports entertainment. [Image: 2K Games]
WWE SuperCard superkicks 1.5 million downloads
2K's free mobile trading card game WWE SuperCard has been downloaded over 1.5 million times, the publisher revealed today. In the game, players put together a deck of cards composed of WWE superstars, then pit their stable against other players in both exhibition matches and King of the Ring-themed tournaments. WWE SuperCard launched roughly a week and a half ago for iOS and Android. The publisher noted that over 82 million victories were recorded in exhibition mode, and that over 575,000 King of the Ring tournaments were kicked off since the game launched. Players logged in to the game for over 18 million unique play sessions, which averaged about 14 minutes each time. The free-to-play game allows players to purchase in-game currency that unlocks card packs, which range in price from $1.99 to $25, to acquire the game's 400-plus unique cards. 2K said it intends to update the game's roster and introduce new cards in the future. [Image: 2K]
2K launches WWE card game for iOS, Android
2K unveiled a new game today that puts pro wrestling and trading cards in the same ring, WWE SuperCard. The game is available now on iOS and Android via Google Play for free, and has players building teams of WWE superstars to compete against other players' decks in exhibition and King of the Ring matches. The card battler features somewhat humorous animations in which two trading cards twirl and body slam one another after a simple comparison of their power, charisma and other skills. Developed by Cat Daddy Games, WWE SuperCard also features the combining and training of cards in order to build players' stables of wrestlers, in addition to paid card packs. By purchasing in-game credits at a minimum rate of 200 for $1.99, players can pick up Superstar Packs that offer one random card of "common" or "epic" rarity for roughly one dollar. The most expensive bundles are Epic Packs, which cost 2,500 credits ($25) and dish out one random superstar card of "epic" or "legendary" rarity. [Image: 2K]
WWE 2K15's historical rivalry mode stars CM Punk, Shawn Michaels
WWE 2K15 will feature a 2K Showcase career mode that spotlights two wrestling rivalries in WWE's history, 2K Sports announced. The mode will focus on the feud between Triple H and Shawn Michaels from 2002 to 2004 as well as the more recent rivalry between CM Punk and cover star John Cena from 2011 to 2013. CM Punk's contract with WWE recently ended, so the Chicago-born wrestler's inclusion in the upcoming game was previously in question. The 2K Showcase mode will span 33 matches across the two rivalries in a mini-documentary style similar to WWE 13's Attitude Era mode and 30 Years of WrestleMania in WWE 2K14, complete with video packages and scripted commentary as well as historically-accurate characters and events. By playing through the rivalry mode, players will unlock wrestlers, alternate attire and championship titles that can be accessed throughout the rest of the game. Additionally, 2K Sports will build on the 2K Showcase mode after the game's launch by introducing more rivalries as DLC packs, though it did not say what feuds will be included (fingers crossed for Heath Slater's series of losses in 2012 to various WWE legends). WWE 2K15 will launch October 28 for PS4, Xbox One, PS3 and Xbox 360. [Image: 2K Sports]
WWE 2K15 collector's edition has 24-inch pythons, brother
The special collector's edition of WWE 2K15 costs $100 and is exclusive to the game's PS4 and Xbox One versions, 2K Sports announced today. In addition to a copy of the latest wrestling game from Yuke's and Visual Concepts, the Hulkamania Edition features pre-order-exclusive Hulk Hogan and Hollywood Hulk Hogan playable characters for the game plus the two bonus versions of WCW star Sting, another pre-order extra for WWE 2K15. WWE 2K15's Hulkamania Edition also features tangible goodies only found in the collector's box (and on eBay shortly after launch for what will surely be ludicrous prices). Hulkamaniacs will receive a collectible art card personally signed by the Hulkster himself as well as a piece of the ring canvas Hogan strutted on in his Monday Night Raw appearance on March 10, 2014 in Memphis, Tennessee. Lastly, the special edition will include a vinyl figure of Hogan's "Hollywood" gimmick made by Funko.
WWE Network heading to 170 new countries next month
Fans of professional wrestling seem to be enjoying WWE's new online network. The company announced during its most recent earnings report that it has 700,000 subscribers to date, which is a pretty great sum given the service's mere five-month existence, a relatively young history. But WWE doesn't want to stop there, and it plans to keep expanding its digital channel to more places. To do just that, WWE Network will be arriving in 170 new countries next month, on August 12th, including Australia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, Spain and the Nordic region. In addition to those, WWE revealed its video service is also headed to China, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand and UAE, but that further details about this won't be shared until later on. So, are you one of the subs? Let us know in the comments below, or feel free to hit up our forums and spark up a conversation about the WWE Network.
Get double the Sting for pre-ordering WWE 2K15
Iconic WCW wrestler Sting was revealed as a pre-order bonus for WWE 2K15 during last night's episode of Monday Night Raw. Both Sting's blonde-haired "surfer" gimmick from the late 1980s and early 1990s as well as his black and white-painted "crow" outfit will be available to play in the game by pre-order customers. WWE 2K15 will launch October 28 in North America and October 31 internationally for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360 and PS3. It's the first WWE game to debut on the next-generation systems, and also the first to be co-developed by series veterans Yukes and Visual Concepts, developer of the NBA 2K basketball series. The game's cover will feature John Cena, though it's unknown if 2K Sports will wise up and put Sting on the cover for pre-order buyers. [Image: 2K Sports]
John Cena sucks up the spotlight on WWE 2K15's cover
2K Sports revealed the cover art for WWE 2K15 this week, the second game in the series from the publisher. The cover art features the face of the WWE and current champion John Cena, posing in a way that indicates he's contemplating his unwavering commitment to his unchanging "never give up" persona. Fans will have the chance to make Cena give up via submission when WWE 2K15 launches on October 28 in North America and October 31 internationally. The game is in development by Yukes and Visual Concepts for PS4, Xbox One, PS3 and Xbox 360, and will be the first WWE game to step into the next generation's squared circle. [Image: 2K Sports]
Recommended Reading: Sound, noise and Xbox in Hollywood
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. Sonic Boom by Megan Garber, The Atlantic Pocket!function(d,i){if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement("script");j.id=i;j.src="https://widgets.getpocket.com/v1/j/btn.js?v=1";var w=d.getElementById(i);d.body.appendChild(j);}}(document,"pocket-btn-js"); Over the course of centuries, our notions of sound and noise have changed dramatically, and technology has played a large part in that. Through the lens of a Bourbon Street uproar and the history of ordinances, The Atlantic's Megan Garber hashes out the transformation. There's a look at how municipalities might design urban areas to cater to the public's varied sonic sensibilities and how appliances are built to sound a certain way when in use.
Xbox One pins WWE Network app
Following an initial launch that saw the WWE Network's debut on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and Xbox 360, the streaming video app has now made its way to the Xbox One. The WWE Network app, which offers users access to pay per view events, weekly programming and the WWE's extensive vault of pro wrestling footage, requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription and that users subscribe to the WWE Network itself. The latter subscription costs $10 per month, though new users are required to make a six-month commitment to the service. [Image: WWE]
You can now stream WWE Network wrestling on your Xbox One
We already knew WWE was bringing live-streaming of its wrestling matches to the Xbox One (and pretty much every other device you might have in your living room). For whatever reason, though, streaming wasn't actually available on the Xbox One back in February, when WWE first made the announcement. In any case, better late than never, right? The company just issued a press release letting us know it's finally opened up shop on Microsoft's new console. As promised, the service costs $10 a month with a six-month commitment, and brings access to live events, as well as videos on demand (think: classics). That's a small price to pay to watch Hulk Hogan body slam Andre the Giant over and over again.
PSN Tuesday: Thief, Pac-Man Museum, Lords of Shadow 2
The PlayStation Store updated today with new games across every platform, led by the launches of Thief and Basement Crawl on PS4. Thief joins another new release in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 on PS3 this week. PS3 owners can pick up The Batman Bundle, which includes Batman: Arkham Origins and the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns animated film as well as the Tales of Symphonia Chronicles bundle that comprises both Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World. Rounding out this week's PS3 additions is Magus and Pac-Man Museum, the latter being a $20 pack of games spanning the yellow gobbler's series. Vita owners only get one new game this week: Mahjong 2 World Contest, as well as PSOne Classic Herc's Adventures, also available on PS3 and PSP. Though Vita owners can now download the Crackle app to watch movies and TV shows, the marquee media streaming addition this week is the WWE Network app on PS3 and PS4. [Image: Square Enix]
