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EA Sports MMA grapples with October 19 launch date
Peter Moore took pause during the EA E3 keynote to detail a launch date for its UFC competitor, EA Sports MMA: October 19. On top of a release date, Moore revealed that competitors Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianeko will battle for box art real estate -- both will be featured on the game's cover.
UFC Undisputed 2010 video explores career mode
If the above video is any indication, UFC Undisputed 2010 is really looking to provide a comprehensive career experience akin to what you see fighters go through in those MMA reality shows, sans the camera confessionals. In THQ's sequel, you'll get to follow your virtual brawler through almost every facet of the sport -- from weigh-ins to training and even the WFA, to eventual UFC stardom -- picking up a rivalry or two along the way. We'll see if UFC Undisputed 2010 can pull off this ambitious career simulation when it hits the retail mat on May 25.
UFC Undisputed 2010 video focuses on fighting techniques
One of the most exciting aspects of MMA is the sheer variety of fighting styles you'll see in a single event. The original's repertoire was rather extensive: boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, judo, Brazilian jujitsu, and freestyle wrestling. UFC Undisputed 2010 adds three more fighting techniques into the mix: sambo, karate and Greco-Roman wrestling. This developer video goes into more detail about the three new styles added to the game, emphasizing the differences between karate and muay thai, for example. With the ability to "combo anything together" in 2010, the added move list should provide a number of interesting and painful combinations to explore.
UFC not banning fighters who sign up for EA's MMA after all
UFC prez Dana White previously said he'd blacklist any fighter who signed up for EA's upcoming mixed martial arts game, EA Sports MMA. And now, Kotaku reports that White is willing to play nice with defectors who chose to be in EA's game -- despite his remaining distaste for the game's publisher. When asked whether White would still ban those fighters participating in EA's game, he told Kotaku he would not. Even with EA being the bigger company, White isn't willing to just roll over and submit. "But believe me this is still going to continue to be a battle," he said. "...they're the me-toos. The UFC game is the original game." White even had some choice words to say about trying to get EA to make a mixed martial arts game. He apparently talked with them in the past about doing one, but EA told him "it's not a real sport" and refused to even take a meeting. So, obviously, White has a bit of a chip on his shoulder -- something we'd say could easily be corrected through a stiff arm bar.
EA Sports MMA adds Joachim Hansen, Josh Barnett and Vladimir Matyushenko
In its continuing battle for buff dude beat-'em-up supremacy against UFC Undisputed 2010, EA Sports' MMA has confirmed three new brawlers via Twitter: Joachim Hansen, Josh Barnett and Vladimir Matyushenko. In doing some research, we've found out they're all very scary dudes and are apparently adept at the punching and the kicking. They should feel at home with the rest of MMA's roster of ripped rabble-rousers. [Via VG247]
Brace yo'self: New EA Sports MMA screens might hurt
Click for bigger impact Though we don't have any new gameplay details on upcoming grappler EA Sports MMA for you today, we do have a whole mess of new screenshots. The images feature everything from the usual "two sweaty dudes staring each other down" to the brand new "dude walking down a runway with fire shooting in the air" -- there are even several images of MMA rings with the audience seated at dinner tables, presumably in the VIP section, watching the fight. Nothing says "Roman Colosseum" quite like eating dinner while watching two meaty gents beat each other into the mat! These stills beg the obvious question: Could the MMA game engine, with its crowd-eating technology, be used to create a fully-realized "Medieval Times" game? We think so. %Gallery-88333%
Showtime Sports Interactive debuts EBIF tags on HDTV tonight
We got out first taste of Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) interactivity during these Winter Olympic games, but Showtime plans to turn things up by using it on the MPEG-4 HDTV feed during tonight's Strikeforce Challengers MMA event. Available only on Verizon's FiOS TV for now, it will let viewers pull up stats, trivia and respond to polls by pressing the "OK" button on their remotes. already have social plans for this evening? No problem, the next event with this tech is coming April 24 during the Super Six World Boxing Championship, leaving just enough time for you to recover from those wild Earth Day celebrations.
15 Minutes of Fame: Pulverizing the World of Warcraft
15 Minutes of Fame is WoW.com's look at World of Warcraft players of all shapes and sizes -- from the renowned to the relatively anonymous, from the remarkable to the player next door. Tip us off to players you'd like to hear more about. If the tank in your last pickup group seemed more than a little evil to you, perhaps you're closer to home than you realize. Perhaps that death knight was actually World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight and dedicated WoW fan Jens "Little Evil" Pulver. The former UFC lightweight champion blows off steam after a hard day of training with a well developed roster of WoW characters, some well known to his fans and others known only to close friends and guildmates. The former The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show coach has always been a gamer. His passion for gaming was recognized recently when he was immortalized as an NPC in Vogster Entertainment's CrimeCraft. He's been a devoted WoW player from the very start. His rogue, Lilevil, earned Grand Marshal status back in the days when grinding the ultimate PvP title was a grind of almost unimaginably enormous proportions. Back in the ring (and after a heartbreaking stretch of losses), Pulver is slated to face Javier Vazquez on March 6 at WEC 47. We chatted with him by phone last week during a break in his pre-fight training regimen.
EA: Medal of Honor, Dead Space 2, Crysis 2 before March 2011
During EA's half-hour investor callstravaganza yesterday, CEO John Riccitiello unleashed a flurry of game titles set to be released in the company's "FIscal 2011." For EA, that falls anywhere between April 1, 2010 and March 30, 2011 -- a window that now holds the release of "a great new version of Medal of Honor, a revitalized Need for Speed, Sims on console, FIFA in a World Cup year, an innovative and new take on Madden, Dead Space 2, Crysis at full margins, a new MMA game, and many others." Considering this laundry list of games is getting little more than a 12-month window for release, we're taking the logical next step and throwing darts at images of the games on our cork-board calendar. According to our impeccable aim... everything is coming out in November. Not helpful! [Via Eurogamer]
Seven fighters added to the EA Sports MMA roster
EA has just announced that a new round of pummelers and pummelees have signed on for EA Sports MMA. The game's site lists seven new fighters in total: Cung Le, Gilbert Melendez, Robbie Lawler, Ronaldo Souza, Matt Lindland, Scott Smith, and Josh Thomson -- a few of whom have participated in UFC fights in the past. Considering the UFC president's stance toward EA's game, we have to wonder if their participation jeopardizes their chances with the UFC in the future. We've also got a few in-game screenshots for you to train with. Practice your virtual arm bars by checking 'em out in the gallery below. [Via @EASPORTSMMA] %Gallery-80427%
GameStop weekly claims UFC Undisputed 2010 'coming May 25'
The Spike VGAs this evening may very well reveal the first gameplay of upcoming MMA-er UFC Undisputed 2010, but the most recent GameStop weekly is dropping release date bombs on us well before tonight's festivities kickoff. According to the ad, the game will be grappling onto store shelves on May 25 and, as you might imagine, you're welcome to "pre-order now!" While we're normally reticent to trust release dates from retailers as absolute truth, the prominence of this information among a weekly advertisement -- and the fact that the game is getting "World Premiere" treatment on tonight's award show -- puts some confidence in our normally skeptical perception of situations like this. Either way, we're likely to confirm this report's veracity when the VGAs roll this evening. [Thanks Erik!]
EA Sports MMA gameplay footage revealed during Strikeforce match
Man, we have got to get into watching Mixed Martial Arts. Not only do the sport's leagues have like, the coolest names ever, but the televised bouts also occasionally contain sneak peeks into upcoming video games. For instance, on last night's Strikeforce (so, so cool) match, the first-ever gameplay footage from EA Sports MMA was revealed. You can find it posted just after the jump. How does it look? We have no idea. There's plenty of punching and kicking, sure, and one might say these two techniques are used intermittently -- or rather, that they are mixed. Therefore, our initial, amateur analysis of the video concludes that it reeks of authenticity. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
EA Sports MMA signs Strikeforce league, additional fighters
Strikeforce.com EA has announced a deal to feature the Strikeforce MMA league in its upcoming EA Sports MMA. The publisher also finalized contracts with two pro mixed martial artists currently fighting in Strikeforce, Jake shields (pictured, left) and Brett Rogers, to appear on the game's roster. Don't expect the signings to throw any fuel on the UFC vs. EA fire, however, as neither fighter has ever been on the payroll of UFC prez Dana White.Frank Shamrock and Mauro Ranallo, Strikeforce's commentary team, will also be recording voiceover for the game. It has yet to be revealed which, if any other leagues will be featured in the game, and if their own commentary teams will be included. Currently, we know that MMA referee "Big John" McCarthy and Strikeforce ring announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr. will also lend their voices and likenesses to the title.While locking up more pro talent and the Strikeforce license lends credibility to EA Sports MMA, we've still yet to see any hint of an actual video game apart from a lone screenshot released late last month. Hey, EA: You do know that, at this pace and given the nature of MMA, these guys could be retired by the time the game actually ships ... right?
Lock your eyes on first EA Sports MMA screenshot
Remember when we used to dream -- oh, so innocently -- of the days when video games would look real? Well, those days have come and gone. Games have now officially entered the realm of too real. See: the first screenshot of EA Sports' MMA (above).Look, we're cool with realistic violence in games -- from a distance. Exploding heads, severed limbs, gratuitous gore -- it's all got to be separated by at least a sword's length; or better: the distance traveled by a bullet.This bare, get-on-the-floor and grapple-it-out violence is just, well, confusing. Look at that balding guy's expression*. Look closer. What is that all about? It's, like, the antisocial rage it takes to snap a man's arm (against one's groin, no less) coupled with the extreme constipation indicative of training the body to destroy people (go on, squeeze it out) and the extraordinary pain brought on by a set of incisors biting into the tender flesh behind the knee -- and then it's all locked together in what appears to be pure ... ecstasy? We know the sport's all about mixing it up, but these are mixed messages. C'mon, folks, we don't need this stuff in the way of kicking ass. Games must not imitate real life.*Ed.'s Note: Sorry dude! We don't follow the sport, and so we don't know your name. Please don't break us![Via Shacknews]
Fighter flips over his character rating in EA Sports MMA
What happens when you put professional mixed martial arts fighter Jason "Mayhem" Miller in a room with a bunch of EA Sports devs who are working on an MMA game, then reveal to Mr. Mayhem that his virtual representation's stats are pretty terrible? Hilarity ensues. Unless you're Rob Hydar, lead developer on the title. In that case, replace "hilarity" with "pure, unadulterated terror." Watch the video after the jump to witness the proceedings unfold in a very NSFW manner. We realize that not everyone will enjoy the violence depicted in the clip -- but we think we can all rally behind that awesome ball pit/conference table. [Via GameDaily]
Fox 'Fight Game' interviews Peter Moore on MMA, war with UFC
Aside from stressing the amount of effort that EA Sports is currently putting into the development of upcoming grappler MMA, Peter Moore had nothing but kind words for the sport while talking to Fight Game host Mike Straka (full interview after the break). The real elephant in the room, though, is clearly the less than wonderful relationship between UFC prez Dana White and Moore's development studio -- but when he was asked about the subject, Moore shrugged it off. "Not really my issue ... Dana [White] had come to EA well before I was there." In addition to doing his best to dodge any flame stoking on Straka's part, Moore pointed out the recent announcement of a newly signed Randy Couture to the game's roster, as well as Jay "The Thoroughbred" Hieron, bringing the MMA player count up to five if our math is right. Applying that same math to the amount of UFC fighters with jobs, the league seems to have just lost two more candidates. Can't we all just get along, fellas?[Thanks, xFenixKnightx!]
EA confirms first three fighters on EA Sports MMA roster
UFC president Dana White may be concerned about EA trying to poach his talent for EA Sports MMA, but the first three mixed martial artists announced for the game aren't on his payroll -- although one of them was, before being unceremoniously ejected from the promotion. The just-announced lineup is led by World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko. The Russian-born fighter has fought around the world for promotions including Pride and, most recently, Affliction. EA hasn't said if Emelianenko will be on the game's cover, but it could do far worse than the man universally recognized as the world's top MMA athlete.Former K-1 fighter Gegard Mousasi joins Emelianenko, as does the man he's scheduled to fight August 15 for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title, Renato Sobral. Sobral, a former UFC fighter, was let go by Dana White after he ignored the referee's orders and choked his opponent out during UFC 74. The unsporting conduct drew boos from the crowd, cost him half of his $50,000 fight purse and lead to White calling his actions "completely unacceptable" -- just as they're likely to be in EA's MMA title.
UFC president confirms war with EA, blacklisting fighters
UFC President Dana White threw off the gloves at Saturday's UFC 100 event, making heated comments about Electronic Arts and its upcoming title, MMA. White stated that he was literally "at war" with the game company and confirmed the rumored plan to ban/blacklist fighters from UFC if they choose to make appearances in EA's new game.White's anger toward EA stems from accusations that the gaming giant was originally "disgusted" with the thought of making a mixed martial arts title. Said White to MMAJunkie.com: "EA Sports told us, you're not a real sport. We wouldn't touch this thing. We want nothing to do with this." According to White, EA's reversal and attempt at an MMA game is a huge slap in his face and to the fans. "You know what the difference is?" White rhetorically asked. "I'm in the mixed martial arts business. EA isn't. EA doesn't give a [expletive] about mixed martial arts. They made that very clear." It sounds to us like UFC 101 will get an extra match on the card. EA's John Riccitiello versus UFC's Dana White. We'd pay top dollar for that.[Via Kotaku]
Rumor: UFC to ban fighters that sign on for EA's MMA
There's been a pretty crazy rumor floating around. originating from the mixedmartialarts.com forums. The rumor states that UFC will blacklist any fighter that chooses to be a part of EA's upcoming game, MMA. That means should any fighter sign up to be represented in EA's game, they won't ever be endorsed by the UFC or asked to join. Crazy, right?It makes sense, though, considering how well UFC 2009 Undisputed sold. UFC has a bona fide franchise on its hands, and will likely begin prepping for a sequel soon (if not already), and doesn't want that threatened by EA's game. But, hey, can't we all just get along? This isn't football, after all.We've put in word to UFC corporate about the rumor and will be sure to get back to you as soon as we hear something.[Via BloodyElbow; Thanks, Ryan!]
E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
