Official Smackdown vs. Raw Thread

[Media 2.0]

I don´t know how people can roll in their own piss of joy after seing this video (i am relating to a german web board here, were everyone goes crazy like hell about this pice of nothing.

I love it how i am "the ennemy" because i have points against the smackdown games, bringt up good Points instead of just lecturing me with stuff thats 50% made up...

As for the first part...like you I can't understand, seeing as like you said it's only a like 7 second preview of the actual upcoming game. Evidently they really even only have 2 actual models, or premodels whatever, that they are willing to show at the moment, so that may be good. Now, I'm not 'rolling in my own piss of joy' over the few seconds of vid..but it's not that horrible either.

And if some of the second was at me, I doubt there is anyone that considers you "The enemy". At least on this topic . It's just that...well there's no such thing as a one sided arguement. Everyone one of the 'points' you mention, has a counterpart...and if someone feels the need to mention it why shouldn't they. Or in this case, why shouldn't I?

[botchedpiledriver]

This game doesn't look too encouraging. I remember when the screenshots of HCTP were released, everybody was bouncing off the walls. This has a very negative response.

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

The clip is good. I don't think it will be a huge difference from HCTP, but I love HCTP so it wont bother me. Yeah it needs a lot adding but meh its better than having nothing at all. They really need to change somethings though. You shouldn't be allowed to do your finisher like 10 seconds into a match, simple as. It needs more realism as thats what it really lacks. If you get a pedigree, you stay down for ages, not get up within like 10 seconds. I think they need to change the damaging system so that people get damaged so much easier, yet it should be harder to damage people at the same time if you get me. I also want all official music in the game and for legends I want there music too, surely WWE own the rights to it? So why the hell don't they use it? We also need some sort of ned match's and mode. HCTP had a few new ones so this one needs AT LEAST three new match's and defintly needs buried alive. I'm still waiting to see an inferno match, but oh well maybe someday. The hardcore match's need to be better. We need hardcore brawls where you can have like a hardcore battle royal. The backstage places need to be better too, they need so many more than HCTP. Also the storyline mode kind of needs new stuff and not stuff that you always see on television, they need to add surprise storylines and angles if you get me. I want a possible created a PPV, Move, Title or anything like that, just something new. It needs a huge thing added in to make it different. If there is no new match's, then I'll be complaining. Either way I always buy the smackdown games so I will get this one.

Anyway I've been playing HCTP a lot lately and has anyone got any good CAW sites for me? I want some sites with WCW wrestlers too. Thank's

[Docpepper]

http://www.wwegames.net/smackology/index.html

the second best caw source for hctp. also check out gamefaqs

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

Just been playing HCTP and heres a few things I want to see in the new Smackdown:

1.Entrance for cage/HIAC/Chamber match's. I simply want to see my men walk down and walk into the cage for christ sake, same goes for ladder match's, that needs sorting badly.

2.Obviously more match's. I want at LEAST a buried alive match in this, I don't want to just see some shitty new tag match where you can do a tag team in a HIAC or something, although that would be good.

3.Being able to climb titantrons. Heck it may be unrealstic, but it happens in wrestling. They need to sort this with the Raw titantron if you ask me, so that you can do more realstic stuff off it. That means no god damn running powerbombs or something like that, just simple realism please.

4.New music. I want all the original music, even for legends. Please this cant be god damn hard if you own the rights to the legends music or whatever. If you don't, then sort it out.

5.This is the most important one of them all, the ladder match's. It is so shit to always have to be pulled if in the way they do it. Cant they simply have you attempt to get the belt and fall of or something? There should be new moves to get them down if you ask me. Also new moves with the ladder and off them.

Yeah I'm on a rant but it needs to be done.

[tristy]

It's a crowded year for wrestling titles on the PlayStation 2 and it's going to take a whole lot of bells and whistles to prove which product is best. Historically, the winner of that honor has been Yuke's and THQ's SmackDown franchise, but with such financially secure heavyweights as Konami and Electronic Arts throwing their hats into a market already populated by Acclaim, Eidos, and Bandai, the pair definitely has their work cut out for them. After all, the effort with last year's Here Comes the Pain was easily the best in the franchise so far; leaving plenty of expectations and standards that THQ will have to meet and surpass.

To find out how THQ is handling this challenge, we sat down with THQ's Smackdown! vs. RAW Product Manager Devin Knudsen. Devin has been around the SmackDown franchise forever too, and is a self-professed "ultra-fan" of professional wrestling. If there's anybody out there who can give us the answers we want, it's this guy. Here's how the conversation went down:

IGN: Thanks for the taking the time to answer our questions. We suppose our first question right out of the gate would be, What was it about last year's SmackDown title that you thought could be improved upon most this year?

Devin Knudsen: There are two main areas that we are striving to improve this year with SmackDown! vs. Raw. An overall improvement of presentation to the player was the first area we choose to tackle. A fan should feel as they are watching actual WWE programming and all aspects of the game should focus on accomplishing this goal. The graphics of the game, the audio elements and the all of the Superstars mannerisms and personalities should provide the player with a suspension of disbelief.

The second element is user interaction. A fan should feel as though they have control over all aspects of the game. There shouldn't be moments where the player feels helpless and is just watching an animation play out; we want the player to feel like he's part of the action unfolding on the screen.

IGN: With that said, what kind of changes have you made with Smackdown! vs. RAW that addresses those issues?

Devin: We've added several new features that will greatly enhance the user's experience and interaction with the game, as well as improving on last year's features. One obvious improvement that players will notice when they get a look at the game is the graphical upgrade. Yuke's did a fantastic job with this year's Superstar models. They've increased the poly counts significantly, especially in the Create-A-Superstar area.

IGN: How much of an impact has fan and editorial feedback had when sitting down to prepare for a new installment of the Smackdown franchise?

Devin: As the Rock would say…"This is the people's champ" The SmackDown! Series is not the only wrestling series out there, but it is the most popular. The only way to keep the fans excited is by keeping a close ear to the ground and delivering on what the fans want to see. Being a fan of the WWE, I'm very passionate when it comes to my product line. Our dev team is constantly scanning the message boards, looking at competitive product and putting together focus groups to get a pulse on what the "real" WWE fans are looking for in our videogames. When putting together a feature set for a new title, the team lays out franchise objectives, which are heavily influenced by the feedback we gather from all of the fans.

IGN: So what are some examples of how you took that feedback and incorporated it into this year's game?

Devin: I can't really get into the new features at this time, but there have been changes to almost every aspect of the game. For example, we made several tweaks here and there to improve things like submissions, grapples, weapons and audio.

IGN: Cool. So how about the new features this year, what are some of the new goodies that fans can expect?

Devin: We can't spill the beans yet, but just like last year we will deliver a game that significantly improves upon the last iteration. There is a big surprise down the pipe that is sure not to disappoint.

IGN: THQ is more secretive than ever this year? Why all the cloak and dagger stuff?

Devin: It's all part of the master plan! Seriously, we've got some real big things planned with this year's offering and we're looking forward to letting all you guys in on all the fun leading up to launch. You guys are our biggest supporters and we're glad to reward your readers by making IGN the WWE HQ.

IGN: Okay then throw us something new. Tell us at least two things we don't already know about Smackdown! vs. RAW?

Devin: We will see the return of a feature from wrestling's past and the introduction of a feature that no one thought they would see in a WWE title.

IGN: How about the roster, what changes are there this year? Who's out of the lineup altogether and who are a couple of the new guys? More importantly, do we have La Resistance in there or what?

Devin: WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw will have the top Superstars from RAW and SmackDown as well as divas and some really exciting Legends to unlock. There are some good surprises here. Unfortunately, that is all I can say about the roster, but IGN will be the first to know, as we will roll out the roster with IGN through their ongoing Superstar profile.

IGN: Some of our readers were a bit disappointed in last year's career mode. It had a lot of great ideas but some complained that it was too repetitive and too short. Will career be improved on this year, and will it be similar to say, Day of Reckoning?

Devin: The season mode has seen a great progression over the years and this year is no exception. We know that the season mode is an integral part of the game and we have gone to great lengths this year to make sure we deliver a season mode that will satisfy the fans. We work closely with the WWE and their writers to find out what directions they are taking with their Superstars and their storylines.

This definitely serves as the underline foundation for what we do. The emphasis has been put on creating storylines that are completely original. This unique blend of storylines will satisfy WWE fans while delivering a compelling and rewarding experience. Don't worry; fans will be blown away with what we've got in store for this year's career mode.

IGN: How about create-a-wrestler, do you have plans to expand on that feature?

Devin: As I mentioned earlier, there will be a dramatic visual upgrade over last year's offering. The quality of the textures and models are significantly improved. We also took steps to simplify the user interface. I can't get into any of the new items in the Create mode at this time.

IGN: And now the big question: there are a lot of rumors pointing to this being online, will it be?

Devin: Unfortunately, we can't comment on this.

IGN: Ah ha, very interesting. Well anyway man, thanks a lot, we'll be bugging you again real soon.

Devin: Unfortunately, we can't comment on this.

IGN would like to thank Devin Knudsen, Kyle Walker, THQ, and all those involved with making this interview possible (and a special thanks to our readers for their quick question submissions). We'd also like to let the fans know that they should keep an eye out for PSM Magazine's September issue (on sale in early August) for more on Smackdown! vs. RAW. In it, former IGNPS2 and IGN Xbox editor Kaiser Hwang reveals a great number of details complete with new media for the print crowd. Of course, we'll be back with some more info ourselves in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

something we thought would never be in a WWE game? online play?

[Herr Matzat]

something we thought would never be in a WWE game? online play?

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The Newest Edition of Touken Retsuden (Online Pro Wrestling, they changed the name, the rest is prittymuch the same) developed by Yukes is based about being able to played online. Smackdown is based on the TR series, so pritty much everyone was expecting this online mode being in Smackdown soner ore later to.

[tristy]

well I'm excited so

I didn't know about the Online Thing.

[Media 2.0]

Ehh...that sucks to me, I don't have online play. Was thinking about getting it, but even then...there are a lot of dumbasses if you decide to play against someone you dont know.

I just hope they dont rely to much on online play. Meaning taht if you don't have online play, teh game wont' be any worse to you.

[MalaCloudy Black]

What's DOR?

[Herr Matzat]

What's DOR?

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the new WWE gamecube Title (day of Recogning ore something like that)

Edited June 27, 2004 by Michael Matzat

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

Oh that sounds great.

I got online play the first time it basically came out, so if this game is online I will be so damn excitied and happy. I just pray to god its a big improvement from HCTP. Yeah I loved HCTP but I want to buy this new game and know I'm going to get something very different.

The gameplay in Smackdown is the best you'll find IMO, so if they can just get some new bloody features and add some new stuff then it could rock.

[Kane's Mullet Slacker]

Hey man! Its Alex Wright, the German. If you wanna know, what the Germans are about, pick me, and you will have one hell of a wictory (thats not a typo), I promise!

I even did the hand gestures.

←

I remember that, oh that brings back old memories. I remember if you clicked on Nash he was like 'Don't pick me pick somebody else liek Hogan' if you click on Piper Piper, 'Don't pick Nash because I can smash Nash, Hogan? Put em to sleep 3 times. Pick me because everybodies gotta pay the Piper' that was great. And Raven's 'Pick me, don't pick me, do whatever you want. I don't care...Quote the Raven Nevermore'

Edited June 28, 2004 by Sullen Slacker

[A-Dub]

That was in Thunder, the Nash one in Nitro was awesome too. He was like "Hey there, you wanna get powerbombed? Pick me. C'mon, pick me, I'm beggin ya pick me. Please, pick me." But he sounded all pathetic like, it was really funny. Complete markage for that feature.

[PkmnTrainerJ]

What would make a WWE game really great for the PS2 is online capabilities, trading CAWs with people in other countries and fighting against someone in Portugal etc. with your favourite superstar.

[Herr Matzat]

THQ.fr confirmes the Online mode

i found this on a german wrestling games side.

http://www.thq.fr/html/platforms/ps2/130/

well it wouldend be the first time that there is something advertised by THQ in the "previews" and Q and As that never happens, so don´t get over exited.

[GoGo Yubari]

Online? AiYAAAAAAH. If this is ture, this will belong to GoGo ohyesitwill.

[A-Dub]

I hope theres something to bring in people who aren't online with PS2.....

[Gabriel]

I hope theres something to bring in people who aren't online with PS2.....

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Yes...like a way better and longer Career Mode.

[Herr Matzat]

I hope theres something to bring in people who aren't online with PS2.....

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more than one half step at a time ? you havent playerd the smackdown series have you ?