RETAILBIZ: WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2011 68 MCV 15/10/10
WWW.MCVUK.COM
THQ’s latest wrestling game bounces off the ropes and slams its way to retail…
by Dominic Sacco
THE MARKET for wrestling games is as big as the stars that grace the ring themselves. Colossal, then. World Wrestling Entertainment is a huge company that reaches more than 500m homes worldwide. It generates revenue from pay-per-view TV matches, music, merchandise, DVD sales and video games. Its TV shows are broadcast in 145 countries and translated into 30 different languages.
RELEASED: OCTOBER 29 FORMATS: 360, PS3, WII, PSP, PS2 PUBLISHER: THQ DEVELOPER: YUKE’S PRICE: VARIOUS DISTRIBUTOR: ADVANTAGE CONTACT: 0121 506 9585
In terms of video games, more than 50m titles based on the World Wrestling Entertainment brand have been shipped worldwide on multiple formats. Players have already created over 7m unique in-game wrestlers and have downloaded millions of pieces of custom game content over the years.
Since the first SmackDown vs Raw game hit shelves in 2004, the series has grown in popularity with almost one new release every year since. Wrestling has also become a bit of a specialist area for THQ, which has
“SmackDown vs Raw 2011 presents the largest offering of wrestlers, moves and options.”
published a plethora of officially licensed games over the years. The titles have been generally well received by both players and the press, with last year’s WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2010 receiving an average Metacritic review score of 81 per cent.
Now THQ is releasing SmackDown vs Raw 2011, which promises to present the largest offering of in-game features, playable wrestlers, moves and customisation options to date.
LAYING THE SMACKDOWN The biggest addition in SmackDown vs Raw 2011 is the WWE Universe mode. This blends new features with the most popular aspects of modes in past games including Career, Exhibition, My WWE and Title Matches to create a new exciting experience. In WWE Universe, the idea is that the
player’s actions affect the world around them. The game takes into consideration the current standing of WWE Superstars and WWE Divas, as well as the player’s decisions, and constructs an automated set of unique
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