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UFC Undisputed 3 preview: Taking Pride
UFC Undisputed is a franchise that's already had a surprising amount of ups and downs in its short lifetime. The first title was a solid hit for THQ, and a sign that the public was again ready for a video game about mixed martial arts. But the second annual title floundered, putting the franchise's future into doubt just as it was getting underway. With the third title in the series, THQ is backing off of yearly updates and moving back to a numbered scheme. As the company told Joystiq during a recent pre-E3 press event, THQ is taking a little extra time, both to go back to basics for the core audience, and to make a big new addition to the series: Adding in the new defunct Pride Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting rosters. Both fighting organizations have now merged with the UFC in real life, but here in this title, THQ plans to give them a place to live on virtually. %Gallery-125154%
We can't dispute that UFC Undisputed 3 is set for January 2012
Looks like THQ's plan to take a little longer between the releases of UFC Undisputed games has been put into action. The third in the series, which drops the yearly nomenclature for the more ambiguous UFC Undisputed 3, is set to arrive in January 2012. The official release promises two new weight classes and better accessibility, but the attached images promise tantric hugging and branded T-shirts. So, something for everyone, we suppose. %Gallery-125154%
Join the UFC Undisputed Fight Nation on Facebook
THQ may no longer be interested in adapting its properties into online games for Asia, but it's not entirely done with casual online adaptations of "core" franchises. The company just launched UFC Undisputed Fight Nation -- sorry, UFC(R) Undisputed(TM) Fight Nation(TM) -- on Facebook. The actual Ultimate Fighting in Fight Nation is automatic; players train their fighters in individual moves using "energy" reserves that refill over time or -- of course -- with microtransactions, and then pit their newly leveled-up fighters against other players in matches. In fact, you can even skip those fights if you just want to see the results. The emphasis is on the training. So it's like other "click to level up" Facebook games, but sweatier.
Fight the crowds at GameStop's UFC Undisputed 2010 midnight launch parties
Before you enter an octagon full of belligerent fighters in UFC Undisputed 2010, why not prepare by visiting a strip mall full of sleepy nerds? GameStop is holding midnight launch events for the mixed martial arts title in 3,100 of its stores on the night of May 24. There, you'll be able to commune with your fellow UFC fans and pick up a new copy of the game at the earliest possible opportunity -- and you do want to buy it new. Check here to find out if any GameStops near you are participating. If you pre-order the game before then, you'll get access to four unlockable fighters from the Ultimate Fighter TV series. If you pre-order the PS3 version, you'll get three more fighters, as well as a Blu-ray disc with footage of five classic UFC fights. That is indisputably a lot of bonuses.
UFC Undisputed 2010 early access demo expected this week
THQ announced earlier this year that it planned to release a UFC Undisputed 2010 demo a few months prior to the game's May 25 launch. Now, according to the game's community website, it looks like certain UFC fans will be getting an early crack at the demo. The community site relaunched last week, announcing some new perks for registered members, including early access to the demo. According to a recent post, the demo is expected late this week, so you'd best get registered if you want in on the big, sweaty man-fight action. To register, just viciously punch your mouse button on this link. [Via Eurogamer]
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.
Sway into this new UFC Undisputed 2010 trailer
One of the main things an annualized franchise must do is convince its fans that the tweaks made to each successive sequel are really worth getting hyped about. After an impressive debut with last year's UFC Undisputed 2009, Yuke's and THQ have a lot to prove with 2010. This video highlights some of the key improvements made to the gameplay engine, notably the addition of "sways," dodges that allow fighters to quickly counter-attack. Other improvements to the combat engine involve utilizing the cage in both offensive and defensive maneuvers. The submission system has also been improved, with a more dynamic camera that focuses on the limbs that are being worked on. It's meant to be more "visceral," a trait that's pretty important in a game all about dudes beating each other up. For UFC fans, we wonder if these improvements are worth another purchase this year?
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.
UFC 2010 features exclusive fights on PS3
UFC Undisputed 2010 already has a shaved kodiak bear on its cover, so what else do you want? OK, how about a video of B.J. Penn just being sweaty and angry? Maybe some new pictures of the game in a gallery? Still not enough!? Then there are exclusive Ultimate Fights for the PS3 version, like: Ultimate 2009 Category -- UFN 18 – Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann Ultimate Knockouts Category -- UFC 102 – Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia Ultimate Classics Category -- UFC 60 – Matt Hughes vs. Royce Gracie, UFC 66 – Keith Jardine vs. Forrest Griffin Ultimate Submissions Category -- UFC 68 – Martin Kampmann vs. Drew McFredries We're sure more assets are coming. Just please, please don't punch us. %Gallery-88373%
Brock Lesnar makes the cover of UFC Undisputed 2010
We knew the Ultimate Fighting Championship was open to all forms of combatants, but we think professional brawler Brock Lesnar's admittance to the league is just a little unfair. Our attention was turned to Lesnar by the recently revealed cover of UFC Undisputed 2010 (the full version of which is posted after the jump), which features his countenance. See, we don't have anything against Lesnar -- we just think it's a little one-sided to pit human fighters up against shaved kodiak bears. We can't wait to scare the living crap out of all the other game cases on our shelf by placing this one near them when UFC Undisputed 2010 releases May 25.
UFC 2009 Undisputed goes platinum (and cheaper!)
THQ's UFC 2009 Undisputed is kicking its retail price in the face and dropping it to $30. With a sequel right around the corner, the acclaimed fighter has sold 3.5 million units worldwide. The new price places the game under the "Platinum Hits" and "Greatest Hits" labels on Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. UFC 2009 Undisputed is the game we typically -- and unfortunately -- neglect to mention when discussing THQ's financial and quality turnaround of 2009. Now we'll need to see if the UFC Undisputed series can muster the fan commitment required for an annual franchise.
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!]
