Dev team using VideoGamer.com interview with rival wrestler as a motivational tool.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 publisher THQ has dismissed comments from TNA wrestling star Kurt Angle that its game "is going to look like all the other games in the past", labelling it "trash talk".
In a February interview with VideoGamer.com ex-WWE wrestler Kurt Angle, who is spearheading Midway's wrestling game TNA Impact!, said: "I've been there. I know how much effort they put behind it. For each wrestler they usually take about two-and-a-half minutes and that's it. They (Midway) have actually spent hours with wrestlers to make this happen with TNA Impact! You're going to see it's so much more authentic. It's a no brainer. We're going to win the war definitely."
AdvertisementWhen we caught up with Mitchell Cameron, associate brand manager for WWE at THQ's recent Gamers Day in San Francisco, he revealed that the team has pinned VideoGamer.com's article on the wall and is using it as a motivational tool.
"You know we passed your article around our office," he said. "We've got that printed out and hung up with paper-clips. Just because, Kurt Angle was... I mean he was talking trash! We put it on the wall and it's like, let's look at this, this is motivation for us! He's a competitor in the field, we're taking notice of what he's got to say and we're going to try to respond in our game. We threw that around!"
While Cameron admitted that TNA Impact!'s entry into the video game wrestling market had created extra pressure on developer Yuke's, he said the team welcomed the added competition and predicted that it would help create an even better SVR game.
"He's (Kurt Angle) an outspoken guy," said Cameron. "We monitor, we see whatever they release. Whenever a new trailer comes out we're dying to see it. I know that our creative team and our developers are itching to see what comes out. We really haven't had a competitive wrestling game on the market in quite a few years. Competition is always good. Yuke's are dying to see where it puts our game.
"As far as our expectations for the product, from what I've seen the visual aspect of it looks really nice, but our game's been around for so long that the depth of the game, we're adding on it over and over, it's like layer over layer, tonnes of different match types, that I don't believe they'll be able to match us with this year."
TNA, which currently broadcasts on Bravo in the UK, is positioned as a slightly more adult version of professional wrestling compared with WWE, which goes out on Sky One and Sky Sports. Publisher Midway is trumpeting TNA Impact!'s authenticity and graphical prowess with its video game wrestling debut, while new headline features of SVR09 include revamped tag team fighting and a new create your own finisher mode.
Cameron added: "We welcome the competition. We're very curious to see the product, I'm dying to play it myself just to see how their game stacks up. Hopefully it will raise our game! Hopefully it will be inferior so we'll be OK, but whatever they bring to the table will help push us."
You can check out our first-look at WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, as well as our hands-on preview of TNA Impact! right here on VideoGamer.com.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is scheduled for release some time in 2008. TNA Impact! is scheduled for release this summer.
Machetazo wrote at 16:20 on 10 April 2008
"but our game's been around for so long" pleads WWE game developer.
I say: I know, I can tell from your game's animations, that you continue to recycle - something which you still think 'will do'. Your game also looks as dry and soul-less as the show it's based upon.
Then again, what more should be expected, from yearly retreads!
Are you expecting to be congratulated for the addition of tag teams?
Bloodstorm wrote at 17:06 on 10 April 2008
That's not trash talking.......he's telling us the truth and backing it up saying he was there.
Silly WWE fanboys.
Fake Wrestling wrote at 22:54 on 10 April 2008
"Silly WWE fanboys"
Edit to say "Silly fake wrestling white trash events fanboys"
Just thought I would help correct you there ;)
Andy wrote at 04:15 on 11 April 2008
Smackdown is terrible and Impact sure looks like it plays terrible. It's a lose/lose situation.
Andy wrote at 04:16 on 11 April 2008
OMG WRESTLING IZ FAKE!!111 Noz way!1
**** you. I would suggest fans pick up Fire Pro Wrestling Returns over both these trashy flashy games.
What? wrote at 05:19 on 15 June 2008
Wrestling is all fake, at least WWE actors act profesional and try to make it look real.
When you watch TNA you are like wtf these guys are try-hards.
Diezel wrote at 12:28 on 03 August 2008
Yo TNA is a low budget re run of WCW all they got is a few new wrestlers and some ex wwe wrestlers that couldnt make it in the big time. Its wcw with a few new flashier signs and a new ring TNA BLOWS NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diezel wrote at 12:29 on 03 August 2008
Wrestling is realer than u think
Marcus uk wrote at 13:32 on 09 September 2008
Wwe has allways had a good game,but with a few tiny faults.bodys dissapearing into other wrestlers when u do moves.outdated roster and arenas these can be fixed if they made downloadable. As for kurt angles trash talk grow up you are good wrestler but cocentrate on your own brand instead of dissin others.and people on this site you dont like wwe dnt then dont bother with it leave the millons that watch alone we now its fake but its entertaning to us the fans. all tv shows are fake its the entertament that makes us watch them.
Jah the X wrote at 09:53 on 21 October 2008
TNA is Recycle trash