WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009[1][2] will be the tenth video game in the WWE SmackDown professional wrestling series, and will be the sequel to its predecessor, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008. The video game is based on the professional wrestling promotion, World Wrestling Entertainment, and is named after two of the promotion's three brands, Raw and SmackDown. The game is being developed by YUKE's Future Media Creators and will be published by THQ, the same developer and producer for all WWE SmackDown series video games.[1][3] TOSE will oversee development for the Nintendo DS version.[2]
Production of the video game was officially announced on March 27 2008 by IGN and THQ, respectively, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Wii, and Xbox 360 video game consoles.[1][3] IGN released their first video game trailer and screenshots for SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. The trailer featured The Hardys (Matt and Jeff) in a tag team match against Randy Orton and Mr. Kennedy at the SummerSlam pay-per-view, where the new tag team match features were explained.
Gameplay
Match gameplay
One of the game's most prominent features is the enhanced tag team match.[3] Additions in the match include new ways of tagging the player's tag team partner such as the reversible hot tag, which can help save the player in the match if they are in trouble, and the forced blind tag, where the partner tags himself or herself into the ring. The player's tag team partner has more of a part to play in this match and will aid the player by holding an opponent by the ropes while on the apron, and the pulling down the ropes for an opponent dashing towards them, sending them out of the ring.[4] Teams will now share their own momentum meter, attributes and double team finishers.[1]
SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 will be the first WWE video game to include the Inferno match, a match where the player has to set their opponent on fire. Unlike the real life match which takes place with the ring surrounded by fire coming from gas fed pipes, the ring ropes themselves will be on fire. To win the player must increase the temperature of the ring by performing more devastating moves. As soon as the temperature reaches 500°F, the player can then begin to set their opponent on fire.[5]
Returning to the series is the backstage brawl, where players can battle in either the locker room or the backstage "gorilla position" with a variety of weapons at their disposal.[6]
Both the Wii and DS versions will now include new matches, such as the steel cage and ladder match, with the DS version in addition also featuring tables and TLC matches.[1]
Fighting styles, a major feature from the previous version, will be removed but the fighting abilities used there will be kept and enhanced with each wrestler possessing six out of twenty different abilities that would aid the player in specific areas.[5]
The in-game commentary will feature three announcing teams like the previous version but will have more of a play-by-play aspect this time.[1] According to THQ, 50% of loading times for the game has been reduced, affecting such areas as wrestler entrances.[1][5] Artificial intelligence, hit detection and animation have also been worked on.[1]
Japanese company TOSE will take over from Amaze Entertainment in development for the Nintendo DS version.[2] Unlike the previous year's game whose gameplay was focused exclusively on the handheld's stylus, this year's edition will instead use the D-pad for movement and the left shoulder button for finishing moves. The DS version's gameplay is now similar to that from the other consoles with full movement control around the ring for the wrestler and a stamina meter to build up for a finishing move. Grappling, attacks and submissions will still be controlled by the stylus.[7]
Season mode
For most platforms, a new career/season mode entitled Road to WrestleMania will replace the previous version's career/season mode, 24/7 Mode. The new mode will feature storylines that are tailor made for the player's chosen wrestler.[1] As part of the game's new emphasis on tag teams, a co-operative storyline will also be included in the mode.[4] Players can either play this storyline with a partner locally or online.[8] As a consequence of the specific storylines, some of the lower card wrestlers will not be eligible to play in this mode. It has been confirmed that for the first time the Wii version will also have the game's career/season mode.[1]
In an interview with IGN, senior creative manager Cory Ledesma made mention of another unnamed mode which will "be able to support a bunch more options for the players that like to have the free rein, the multiple decisions to use created elements in that mode".[1]
Partly inspired by the TOSE-developed game, Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime, the Nintendo DS version will have an RPG element to their season mode. Players will be able to roam around the arena, improve their characters through the training room or WWE Shop and interact with superstars to start feuds. The player will be given missions to complete in order to become a champion.[7][3] Created wrestlers will be eligible to use in this career mode.[1]
Create modes
THQ have confirmed that the video game will include a "create-a-finisher" feature.[3] The player has the ability to chain a selection of up to 10 out of over 500 animations to make unique finishing moves along with the choice to speed up or slow down the animations.[4][8] Created finishers are limited to moves starting with both wrestlers standing face-to-face, with THQ suggesting future games will develop on more starting positions.[8]
For the first time, the Nintendo DS version will feature a limited version of the "create-a-superstar" mode.[2] Custom soundtracks will be featured on the PlayStation 3 version as well as the Xbox 360 version.[1] The Wii version will again not feature a "create-an-entrance" mode. Instead, utilizing the Wii Remote and nunchuk, it will feature interactive entrances and victory celebrations, such as posing or beating down an opponent post-match.[4] Successful poses during the player's entrance will give him or her more momentum and bonuses at the start of the match.[1]
Online features
The Wii version will now include online gameplay as well as rankings.[2][3] Voice chat functionality for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were confirmed.[1] To conquer previous complaints in the series about outdated rosters and new superstars in WWE, THQ stated that the game will provide downloadable content, a feature to keep the game as up to date as possible.[1][4] According to THQ, downloadable content will also "allow them to introduce special events in game based on what's happening on the show".[8]
Roster
On September 1st, it was announced that THQ were to release a superstar from the official roster every weekday. This is otherwise know as the "Smackdown Countdown" [9]
| Week 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santino Marella | ||||
| Dave Finlay | ||||
| Beth Phoenix | - | Barbie Blank | - | Shelton Benjamin |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Miller, Greg (2008-03-27). "First Interview: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009". IGN. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ^ a b c d e Miller, Greg (2008-03-27). "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is Official". IGN. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
- ^ a b c d e f "Number One Fighting Videogame Franchise Returns to the Virtual Ring". THQ. 2008-03-24. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ a b c d e Ekberg, Brian (2008-03-29). "SmackDown! vs. Raw 2009 First Look". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ a b c Miller, Greg (2008-07-11). "Pre-E3 2008: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
- ^ Miller, Greg (2008-08-27). "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009: Backstage Brawl". IGN. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ^ a b "Pre-E3 2008: WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Hands-on". IGN. 2008-07-11. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
- ^ a b c d Srinivasan, Shanker (2008-07-17). "E3 2008: Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 – Updated Impressions". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ^ "IGN Smackdown Countdown". 2008-09-01.