Topic: WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw Online announced for the PC

[MysterD]

Planned for 2010....
WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw Online has been announced for the PC.

WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Online to Grapple with PCs  [September 19, 2008, 09:48 am ET] - Viewing Comments

THQ Inc. and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. announce development of WWE SmackDown vs. RAW (working title) for Windows, the first PC installment in this wrestling series. The game is slated for release in 2010 (the year we make contact), and here's the game's official description: "WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Online is a fighting action game that allows players to enter the world of the WWE and play as their favorite Superstar. Players can create their own Superstar to compete and seek virtual wealth and fame in order to achieve the ultimate ranking in the Hall of Fame.

Offering single player and multi-player modes, players can earn respect and points to unlock special features, items and level up their rankings. Players can purchase additional items, abilities and themes to enhance and personalize their Superstar in this exciting head-to-head online wrestling experience. The game will offer ongoing content updates and features to enhance the players' experience as they progress through the ranks, as well as season mode. Players will also be able to enter the lobby to challenge opponents, shop or interact with other connected players. WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Online provides the ultimate wrestling experience appealing to both beginner and advanced PC-online players."

[Xessive]

My feelings on modern day bullcrap wrestling aside, is this really the kind of game PC players look for?

It's like some console mogul has this daibolical plan to release crappy not-so-PC-friendly games then claims that PC gaming is dying when nobody buys them.

[MysterD]

My feelings on modern day bullcrap wrestling aside, is this really the kind of game PC players look for?

I wouldn't mind seeing a WWE game on the PC. I liked the old Smackdown 2 on the PSX, myself.

I'm sure if they don't do the KB/mouse controls justice, it would probably play fine, as long as I plug into my PC that X360 controller.

It's like some console mogul has this daibolical plan to release crappy not-so-PC-friendly games then claims that PC gaming is dying when nobody buys them.

Xessive, there's NO market for PC Wrestling games b/c NOBODY really created a market for them. Every time a console wrestling game got ported to the PC -- see WCW Nitro or WWE Raw on the PC -- it just didn't take off. Why? B/c they were just lazy-ass ports, which did not take advantage of what the PC has to offer -- which I think, more than anything, is the Internet.

I think that's also why PC fighters have not succeeded. Name one PC fighting game that took advantage of the Net -- b/c honestly, these games are best when playing against other players.

Plus, every copy of Windows or every PC made should automatically come with a X360 Controller (or some excellent Microsoft gamepad) anyways; no questions asked. I mean, hell -- every PC comes w/ a KB and mouse; why not also come with a controller too? That would solve that problem of PC gamers, who won't pony-up for control pad. I mean, hell, if you're buying a new PC, you're already ponying-up at least $500 or more (likely way more, if you're a big-time PC gamer), so what's another $30-50 for a gamepad after dropping that much cash on a system? Plus, let's face it -- some games are just better made for a controller; brawlers are one of those kinds.

[Quemaqua]

Very, very few PC players I imagine would get this.  It's a weird franchise to bring over, because it's very heavily console-centric.  I sort of hate wrestling and this kind of thing, but I just can't imagine it doing well on the PC in general.  Might not be a bad game, but it just seems strange.  Even something like Devil May Cry 4, which has a heavy console legacy, fits better for the simple fact that it's just another action game when you get down to it, and the PC has had many.  But wrestling is sort of unprecedented there, isn't it?

[MysterD]

Very, very few PC players I imagine would get this.  It's a weird franchise to bring over, because it's very heavily console-centric.  I sort of hate wrestling and this kind of thing, but I just can't imagine it doing well on the PC in general.  Might not be a bad game, but it just seems strange.

I think b/c PC versions of past WWE and WCW games just weren't done technically too well -- WCW Nitro and WWE Raw, when reviewed, had technical performance issues out the box (framerate). So, that's certainly no help for PC-wrestling genre.

Also, I don't think gamers want to stick two players in front of the same PC, either. PC games are better off using the Net for playing against other players.

Sure, there's your usual matches in wrestling games online, that could be fun -- like Tag Team and Singles Matches. But, some of the other matches over The Net could be crazy. I'm thinking The Elimination Chamber match would be cool to see on The Net w/ MP gamers.

But something like a (30-Man Over The Top) Royal Rumble mode played over The Net, if done right (with say no performance issues with too many characters on screen and with no latency issues), could be freaking awesome. Could be a blast, I'd say.

Even something like Devil May Cry 4, which has a heavy console legacy, fits better for the simple fact that it's just another action game when you get down to it, and the PC has had many.

 
Of course -- b/c there's tons of those games around on the PC; straight-up PC versions and console-to-PC ports.

The PC market for wrestling is....well, untapped. It's been tried before, but most of them were ports. We never really had a straight-up PC-only wrestling game.

But wrestling is sort of unprecedented there, isn't it?

If THQ can get WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw Online for the PC down right, it would be good to actually have a good wrestling action game on the PC. I mean -- if it can be done well on the consoles, why not the PC as well?

I think if this game is only currently in development for the PC, it has a better chance of being done correctly to utilize the strengths of the PC. I think that is also the only way to up-jump this PC-wrestling market, too -- b/c the PC needs a wrestling game the consoles don't have.

If the consoles have this first, who'll buy this game for the PC? Most gamers have consoles already -- and well, probably will buy it for the consoles first. Fighters/brawlers already a huge established genre on the consoles; and have done well for themselves there.

[Pugnate]

The only thing I can imagine is they are trying to work an MMOish sorta formula here. I am pretty sure that's their plan...