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THQ announces WWE Legends of WrestleMania
Not much was revealed about WWE Legends of WreslteMania, a new wrestling title to hit next year. All that's known so far about the game is that it's being made by THQ and JAKKS Pacific, and that it will come out March 2009 to coincide with Wrestlemania 25.Other than that, everything is up for speculation -- especially that coveted roster. If the game's title wasn't enough of a hint, it looks like stars who've appeared at Wrestlemania will be the only ones making it into the game. Please THQ, whatever you do, don't include the likes of Tyson and non-wrestler personalities that have been at the big WM. That will just be disappointing. And, the "Macho Man" better not be missing this time.[Via press release]
Barackdown vs. Raw-dham Clinton 2008
Ripped from the headlines: Using WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008's create-a-wrestler mode, THQ has done their own take on the Democratic presidential rivalry. They designed characters who sorta resemble presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, as long as you're told who they're supposed to be first.The two politicians run out and play to the crowd, then face off, totally about to wrassle, when the clip unfortunately ends. We wanted to see what Senator Clinton's finishing move was! We wanted to learn the candidates' positions on the issue of "folding chairs: now or later?"You know, we wouldn't mind fake physical combat as a campaign method. It's not like anyone talks about real policy at debates anyway.
Smackdown vs. Raw '09 tags in with debut trailer
We didn't know wrestling was still popular enough to warrant an annual release, but over the weekend THQ dropped the trailer for WWE: Smackdown vs. Raw 2009. The video showcases the latest feature for the upcoming title, co-op story mode. While we're sure there is still a group of fans clamoring for a "chair-shot to the face" good time, we wonder if we really need another WWE game every year? Madden's annual release already gets us annoyed but we understand the reasoning behind it, but does including one new addition and swapping some characters in the roster really need another $60 price tag?
WWE SmackDown vs. RPG
There's somewhat of a trend forming in DS sports games -- developers eschewing straight sports simulations in favor of bizarre experiences. We've seen it in MLB 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars, and now we're seeing it in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. THQ has hired Japanese "ninja developer" TOSE (best known for Super Princess Peach, the Stafy games, and being mysterious) to create their latest DS wrestling game.They have bizarred it up indeed, adding an out-of-ring mode in which the backstage area is full of NPCs and rendered environments, much like an RPG overworld. You'll travel around taking on missions and interacting with other wrestlers as you try to level up your character's various attributes, like "Sweatiness," "Shirt-tearing" and "Catchphrases."*It actually sounds like a really cool take on the RPG. It's like Puzzle Quest, but with wrasslin'! Unfortunately, the screenshots so far don't really show anything but creepy 3D models.*not actual attributes
WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2009 announced, first details revealed
THQ's WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw series has, for the longest time, been underwhelming in terms of offering unique experiences between its annual releases. We could even say the series has been suffering from a mild case of Madden syndrome. With the announcement of this year's iteration: Smackdown! vs. Raw 2009, however, things finally look like they're going to change. First and foremost, the series is finally getting the much needed online gameplay and DLC support that fans have been clamoring for in the past years. Unfortunately, specific details on the DLC are still being kept secret. Senior creative manager Cory Ledesma does hint, however, at the possibility of updating the WWE roster via DLC. As for the second major addition, say hello to the brand new "Create-A-Finisher." This tool allows players to create unique ultimate signature moves by piecing together over 500 animations. Also, a re-vamped career mode makes its debut, now allowing for the first time a co-op season with stronger emphasis on tag team action. As for the roster, so far only Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton, Mr. Kennedy, Undertaker, and John Cena have been revealed. A final number for the roster has not been announced.
Deal of the Evening: WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 for $30
Wrestling is a strange phenomenon. There are avid fans and there are those who simply find it absolutely confusing. Not the event itself, but the fact the world has allowed it to remain for so long. This deal isn't for them -- it's for you, the fans. Amazon currently has a deal for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 for the low price of $30. This is much less than watching a match on Pay-Per-View, so really, you'd be doing yourselves a big favor.
Smackdown someone for $25 today
Not many of you seemed too excited when WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 came out, but then again, that was the same week as Super Mario Galaxy's North American release. Also, at that time, the game would have cost you a cool $50 to buy.Now, though, thanks to Amazon and its video game "Deal of the Day" promotion, you can get the game for half the price (or, for those of you that are terrible at math, $25). As per usual, this sale will end at 3 A.M. EDT, so if you want this title you better be ready to succumb to your inner impulse buyer. Also, if you like to wrassle but aren't too keen on doing so on your Wii, today's DotD extends to every other console under the sun.
WWE gets in deeper with Ascent Media on HD production facility
Early last month, we heard that WWE was cutting a $20 million check in order to convert its production facilities at its Stamford, Connecticut headquarters to HD. Now, the outfit is announcing an extended partnership with Ascent Media, which enables WWE to use Ascent's Harbor Plaza facility "for the creation of wraparound elements" used in its programming packages. Additionally, Ascent is promising to provide "new HD-capable fiber optic links between the new studio space and the existing WWE studio in Harbor Plaza, and to the WWE technical facility elsewhere in Stamford." More fiber in the Northeast -- what else is new, eh?
GDC 08: Entertainment content convergence in online worlds
We spent most of Monday ensconced in the GDC Worlds in Motion summit track, which made "standing room only" seem extremely spacious -- most of the sessions were packed to the gills and then some. It seems like more than a few industry types are interested in the intersections between gaming and virtual worlds. Case in point, the following session we've paraphrased (hopefully not too liberally!) from Reuben Steiger, CEO of Milllions of Us, a company that builds marketing campaigns and content for virtual worlds. Reuben: Storytelling is the bedrock of human culture. (Looking at a slide with a real campfire on the left and a user-created campfire in Second Life on the right) -- users in virtual worlds are recreating this storytelling tradition. I'm going to make a contention: the internet has failed as a storytelling medium. Instead, the norm is bathroom humor and ridiculous jokes. So virtual worlds: are they games or not? What defines a game -- linguists and semioticians get real worked up about it. The audience might say "virtual worlds are games without rules, competition, goals or fun." And it's hard to blame them. Extreme openness has defined virtual worlds, where fun can be in a way you define as opposed to what some game developer feels is fun. But the appeal of virtual worlds is that we can tell stories on a broader and less walled playing field.
WWE dumps $20 million on HD production facility, still waiting on ratings boost
In case you've been camped out under the nearest boulder for the past few weeks, WWE has officially transitioned to high-definition, but the change most certainly didn't come cheap. Reportedly, the outfit is finishing up a $20 million conversion of its production facilities at its Stamford, Connecticut headquarters, and in the meanwhile, it's using new HD technology for broadcasts out of a temporary location in the same city. Furthermore, the WWE has constructed all new sets and two new production trucks, and while the company seems quite pleased with the results, the general public hasn't exactly responded. According to David Meltzer, editor and publisher of Wrestling Observer, ratings have yet to jump from the move to HD, but as Michael White, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities puts it, WWE "almost needed this investment to keep [its] core fan base excited." Yeah -- who wants to watch sweat drop from ridiculously built bodies in SD, anyway?[Image courtesy of BroadcastEngineering]
THQ earns more sales, less profits, lots of licenses
For its third fiscal quarter through the holiday season, publisher THQ saw their sales boost to $509.6 million but profits down to $15.5 million (via Gamasutra). Comparatively, last year they had $475.7 million in sales (a 7% raise) and $62.1 million in profit (a 75% drop). THQ also had $27 million in non-cash charges due to the cancellations of Juiced and Stuntman.Big sellers include THQ's licenses. Life to date sales from Nickelodeon projects total $1 billion, and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 enjoyed a whopping five million in unit sales -- behold the power of licensing.
WWE HD pay-per-view events head to Cineplex theatres in Canada
We can't exactly say we saw this one coming, but considering that you can catch the Metropolitan Opera in a cinema, we suppose it's not all that shocking. Just days after WWE aired its first live event in high-definition, it has partnered up with Cineplex Entertainment to bring future pay-per-view broadcasts to the big screen. Starting this Sunday with Royal Rumble, Canucks will be able to purchase tickets for $13.95 to enjoy the carnage from within one of Cineplex's many Canadian theaters. If you're impressed, you can check out the full lineup of upcoming HD PPV wrestling events that will be shown on screen here. 'Course, it'll be hard to mimic what you're watching with all those immobile seats, but we're sure you can find a way to sneak a headlock or two in if nothing else.[Image courtesy of WWE]
WWE in HD gets official, carnage begins next week
Just in case things weren't official enough for you, WWE has gone the extra mile and boasted about WWE in HD via an on-air spot. Starting a week from today (January 21st for those taking notes), Monday Night RAW will be broadcast in high-definition for the first time on USA HD. The very next night, ECW will air in HD on Sci-Fi HD, and if you're still itching for more, you can catch the first HD showing of Smackdown on The CW HD on January 25th. Oh yeah, and then there's that little Royal Rumble thing going down on the 27th -- we're hearing that will be available in crystal clear HD, too (albeit for $10 more than the SD version). Hit the read link for a look at the promotional ad, and feel free to dig up your stash of bandannas and ripped-up shirts up from the bottom drawer -- next week's gonna be pretty intense.[Thanks, Dustin R.]
WWE RAW scheduled for HD on USA
For fans of WWE and HD, things are about as good as they could possibly be. Just as you get ready to experience Smackdown and Royal Rumble in high-definition, along comes word that next Monday's episode of RAW will likely be aired in HD, too. Apparently, DirecTV is listing the show in HD on USA, which means that either RAW is indeed finally making the leap to HD or DirecTV has labeled it erroneously. Needless to say, we're hoping for the former, even if it ends up happening a bit later in the month.Update: Sure enough, we may not see RAW in HD until after Royal Rumble. Better late than never, we say.[Thanks, Colin V. and gamedude420]
WWE Royal Rumble confirmed for HD
Just as expected, the January 27, 2008 WWE Royal Rumble will indeed be airing in HD, and considering that the event itself sold out in five hours, catching it via HD pay-per-view is likely your best remaining option. Reportedly, the high-definition broadcast of Royal Rumble will be available via DirecTV and "digital cable" providers, but we're not entirely sure if it'll be accessible on every provider out there. Unfortunately, those requesting the event in HD will be dinged for an extra $10 ($49.95 versus $39.95 in SD), but hey, that's still a fair bit cheaper than snapping up a ticket from a scalper.[Thanks, gamedude420]
Royal Rumble to be WWE's first HD pay-per-view event?
Apparently, the WWE will finally be rolling out a major pay-per-view event in high-definition some 12 months after UFC did the same. According to a tipster, Time Warner Cable (partly owned by Time Warner, parent company of AOL, which owns Engadget) is gearing up to offer the WWE Royal Rumble PPV event in HD when it airs on January 27, 2008. Of course, this shouldn't be too surprising considering that WWE was already planning to switch Smackdown to HD next month, but for fans of the sport, we're sure they'll be delighted to have the PPV matches in 1080i, too. We'll let you know if we hear anything official.[Thanks, DG]
Expect SMG, RRR2, and more; pay less
Starting today until this Saturday, Target will have six of its Wii games for sale for only $37.00! As you can see from the list below, they're not all crap, either! Super Mario Galaxy Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Need for Speed: Prostreet Madden NFL 08 Smackdown vs Raw Most of these titles are already out of stock on Target's online shop, but you should still be able to pick them up at a brick and mortar location. If you've been putting off on buying Super Mario Galaxy to accommodate your Christmas budget, with the holiday now behind us and this great deal, you can make this long overdue purchase without having to feel guilty about it![Thanks, Tofufa!]
Bikinis and bodyslams in Smackdown Vs Raw commercial
We recognize that this SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 commercial does a great job of selling the game to its core demographic, but, to us, it's a sad reminder of what the World Wrestling Federation has become. Remember how the Bushwackers used to stomp around their downed adversaries? Remember when you thought the Undertaker was for real and that someone was surely going to die by the match's end? Remember Hulk Hogan running up to the ring with an American Flag in tow, ripping apart his sleeveless yellow shirt to reveal his oiled chest to a throng of frenzied, heterosexual men, everyone chanting, "U-S-A! U-S-A!" Gone are those glory days -- the greatest days, some would call them. THQ's commercial is representative of what the WWE has celebrated in their stead: gratuitous displays of flesh, jackasses walking around with open shirts like that's the proper order of business, and crotch-chop gestures accompanied by some scoundrel telling you to "suck it." If you're exhausted with our nostalgia-tinged rant and would rather watch an extended, minute-long version of the ad, bring your best moves past the post break.
WWE readies Smackdown's switch to HD next year
Ready for pro wrestling in 1080i? It's getting closer, as the WWE production team just spent time in Florida shooting all new openings specifically for the HDTV broadcasts. SmackDown was projected to make the high definition switch in January and it appears to be well on schedule.[Via PWMania]
PSP-exclusive wrestling legends on view
The PSP version of the upcoming WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw features a few classic wrestlers you won't find in the console versions of the game. The three included for Sony's handheld are: Jim Neidhart, Sgt. Slaughter and Eddie Guerrero. IGN has the profiles of these wrestling legends, and a few videos too. Hopefully, the inclusion of these additional characters isn't meant to make up for what the series has become notorious for: infamously long load times.