The official Smackdown vs Raw 2008 thread

[Disturbed316]

With the first real bits of information coming out, thought I might as well start this bad boy up. Below is the first interview from THQ from IGN.com (http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/776/776654p1.html)

US, March 29, 2007 - With today's announcement that SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is hitting just about every platform known to man, we wanted to know more about it. To find out, we sat down to speak with THQ Creative Manager Cory Ledesma just before he headed out on a plane to Detroit for WrestleMania 23. Here's how it went down...

IGN: Last year was the first season where you were developing SmackDown for a platform other than a PlayStation system. What did you take from that experience and how are you going to apply that to 2008?

Cory Ledesma: We learned a whole lot about our fan base on the Xbox 360, for one, and we also learned that we want to utilize a lot of a console's specific features. So going forward, that's going to be our emphasis from now on -- getting to know our base on each platform, understanding what they want to see in the game, and fully utilizing that console's strengths to the best of our ability.

IGN: SmackDown '07 scored pretty well with reviewers but it also received a lot more criticism than the previous version did. Going into this year's game, how serious were you about addressing a lot of the concerns from the press and consumers?

Ledesma: Whenever we get criticism we take it in stride. If there's a collective voice out there, we're going to put the things that the fans and the media have been vocal about at the top of our priority list. We pride ourselves on that -- listening to the people who show concern so we can give them the best game.

This year, just like every year, we researched the reviews of the game, listened to what the fans were saying on the boards, and went ahead and created our giant "wish list" based on that. Things that were hit on last year were examples like the AI for tag team matches -- that's something we really wanted to improve upon this year; the animation quality was talked about a lot; collision and clipping came up... we went ahead and listened to those things, put them as our top priorities and, right now, feel confident that we're going to address them well this year.

IGN: Personally, my biggest issue with the game was how dated it felt. Though I still liked it quite a bit, the animations and AI, like you said, felt old. Since you're specifically tackling those problems this year, what are you doing in those areas?

Ledesma: Well you're definitely going to see a big improvement with the AI. There was a partial problem with the match types since most of them were untouched compared to previous years, and therefore, the AI found in those match types was pretty much the same. Improving the AI that goes along with our existing match types (especially the tag match) is something we're really working on. We want to make a smarter AI, a more supportive AI, and an AI that's aware of what's happening in the ring -- we want it to know what you're doing and what's going on besides the player's actions. We stressed very heavily to Yuke's that this is something we had to work on for this year.

As far as animation goes, it's our overall franchise objective to significantly improve our system. What it means when we put something down as our "franchise objective," is that there is no higher priority. Of course, it doesn't mean that we're going to be able to fix everything in the first year -- because it could take a couple of years to get everything in there -- but we are putting a lot of resources behind getting this done as soon as possible.

What does that mean we'll be fixing? The blending you see between the moves... that will be better. The general movement in and outside the ring -- the walking, the running, the climbing -- you'll see an improvement in those areas' quality as well. Collision problems that happen during certain "up close" moves, we're focusing on those too and a bunch of other things.

In other words, we want to get rid of the older, robotic-looking things. We want to improve our visual quality.

Also, there's a second side to our big franchise objective and that's differentiating the game's characters. So, for example, when you play as Kane and you're walking around the ring, we want you to feel like you're moving a little bit slower and more lumbering than you would as Rey Mysterio. Rey should be able to hop around the ring, be very quick, and have all his animations tie into that kind of style and into the gameplay. We want these guys to feel like they would in real life.

IGN: Just so that we're clear: are your "improved" animations just enhanced versions of your older animation sets or are you actually going back and redoing them?

Ledesma: We're completely redoing animations. The problem with trying to rework and improve an older animation set is that you'll never be able to get a better quality than you already have even if you add more frames to it. Adding those extra frames is really just making the move take longer to perform and that slows down gameplay.

We're recapturing animations for all the improvements I just talked about. We'll have new animations for the base navigational stuff, for instance, and that's actually important. It's important because those are the animations that players are going to see 80-90% of the time. Running around, getting in and out of the ring, picking up weapons, these are the things you see the most of. Expect brand new animations for all of those.

We also want a more realistic approach to our animation in general with smart blending. If you're going from a walk to a run, it should be a gradual transition between the two; if you go from picking up a weapon to standing up, there shouldn't be a pop -- it should look real. Those are just some of the subtleties you'll notice that give the game a smoother look overall.

IGN: You talked a bit about the wrestlers having different fighting styles. How will these styles affect gameplay and the typical flow of a match?

Ledesma: Jeremy, let me tell you: this is by far our favorite new feature this year. Personally, I'm really excited about it. The reason being is that it changes the landscape of how everyone is going to play the game.

When you pick up SmackDown vs. Raw 2007, you're just trying to learn how to win the match. "How am I going to pin my opponent, submit him, knock him out... whatever." Because of 2008's new fighting styles, though, you'll actually be learning how to play that particular wrestler and his technique. Each one offers specific strategies and abilities that other wrestlers won't have.

It's almost like a fighting game in a way; if you play Soulcalibur, they have different weapons, different animations and different moves. We're taking that approach. We want players to have exclusive abilities and tactics that let them play differently based on personal preference and the wrestler they choose. You will have to learn how each fighting style works and, depending on the match type you're playing, you'll have to discover which ones are advantageous in certain matches and which ones aren't. Superstars aren't going to have the exact same abilities, moves, or animations in SmackDown vs. Raw 2008.

IGN: What are some examples of the fighting styles and how they work?

Ledesma: We're going to have eight fighting styles overall. We're going to have a hardcore and a high-flyer fighting style. The hardcore guys, obviously, are going to play well with weapons and hardcore match types that involve props or the bending of rules (no DQ and stuff like that). The high-flyer is going to have more aerial maneuvers than anybody. They'll be able to use the ring in new ways by launching themselves off the ropes or other areas around the ring that competing styles can't.

We're also going to have submission artists. They'll be proficient in the holds and have special abilities relating to that. We've got powerhouse guys who are essentially brutes. Think Batista or Triple H and you know that type -- they'll have some really forceful abilities. Our fifth fighting style is a brawler and he'll be proficient in striking, and you can expect special moves for that style related to those strikes.

There's also the showman. He's a cocky, arrogant wrestler who taunts his opponents and plays to the crowd. His whole goal is to lower his foe's momentum and morale in different ways -- a Shawn Michaels type, a Randy Orton type... even the Undertaker is a showman in his own way.

[Disturbed316]

IGN: Wait a second. What happens when you have a guy who is a mix of styles? You just mentioned the Undertaker, for example. He's a showman sure, but he's also a powerhouse and depending on his opponent, even busts out the MMA submission skills. What do you in those cases?

Ledesma: Don't worry. Each superstar has two fighting styles: a primary and a secondary. You can be a Dirty Showman, for example, or you can be a powerhouse brawler or a technical submission artist. You can combine any of the fighting styles and have all their abilities. The catch is that you'll only have the special move for your primary style, not the secondary.

We totally realized that not everyone fits into a single category. Ric Flair isn't just a submission artist; he's also a very dirty superstar. These combinations multiply what you can do.

IGN: On the subject of submissions, there's also a new submission system. Can you talk a little about that?

Ledesma: We're implementing a new "Struggle Submission System." Last year we wanted to give players improved controls with the analog sticks and this just the next step. We really want to get rid of the button mashing meters that we have because those are really dated. We're getting pretty tired of those, honestly. But now that we have our "Ultimate Control" theme going, we can apply that to submissions.

What's that mean for this year? It means that submissions are now controlled with the analog sticks. You can decide as an offensive player how much pressure you want to apply when you put an opponent in a hold. The more you push the stick in a particular direction, the more force you're putting behind that particular move.

Say, for example, that we have the Crippler Crossface applied to someone. As you add the pressure with the analog stick, you'll see your character pull back harder on the opponent in real time. That's an example of our new animation and how it applies to gameplay too. What's really great about it, though, is that you can also be defensive with this system and power out of a submission hold using the same analog mechanic. It makes the whole thing more of a cat and mouse game. We're trying to introduce a system where players always have control -- we don't want anyone sitting around waiting until their next opportunity. Adding a real strategy, a true "back and forth," is cool too.

IGN: Do the fighting styles alter how someone will escape a submission? Bobby Lashley powering out of a Masterlock is a whole lot different than Chavo.

Ledesma: There is some level of detail there, but it's not necessarily tied to your style but more your attributes. The submission artist and technician will have advantages in submission moves, of course, but how you escape will mostly be tied into your numbers.

IGN: Will these mechanics be universal across all platforms?

Ledesma: They will be. The only platform I'm going to exclude is the DS version. It's a completely different style of game but we're not disclosing much more than that. It will keep the same name and use the touch screen, but won't be "a traditional wrestling title." We'll reveal more about that in the future.

IGN: When you say it isn't traditional, you don't mean it's going to be like Crush Hour do you?

Ledesma: [laughs] No, it's definitely not like Crush Hour.

IGN: You've already talked about some major adjustments this year, have you made any improvements to the modes?

Ledesma:Yes! We've combined our General Manager Mode and Season Mode into what we're calling "WWE 24/7." The general theme is that you're living the life of a WWE superstar who wants to become a legend.

24/7 is different from past years in that, in previous years, your whole goal was to win a title at WrestleMania. This year we're talking a broader approach where you'll have to meet a long list of objectives to be considered a legend. If you start out with The Undertaker, maybe that question will take you six months; start out with a created wrestler and it may take you three years. Obviously, it depends on how successful you are and how well you play.

IGN: Is 24/7 keeping the same theme as past SmackDowns? Where you start off on Raw or SmackDown to begin with and work your way through those shows, or are you taking a Day of Reckoning approach and starting in OVW or something similar?

Ledesma:We're not going to talk much about it yet -- that's for later in the year. The only thing I can tell you is that you will start out on the SmackDown or Raw shows and become a superstar for those promotions. Of course, you can still switch shows like you could in previous years.

Oh, and there will be some specific created superstar paths, but again, we're not detailing how all that is going to work yet.

IGN: How important is online support this year?

Ledesma: It's very important. It's a must-have on next-generation platforms. We did some data-mining and found out that our online player community wasn't as big as we thought it was, so we're looking to grow that out with better features. How the match plays, its quality and framerate, the interface -- these are things we're definitely addressing.

As for what features we'll be incorporating this year, we can't say yet.

IGN: Can you talk about any differences between the versions? How will the PS3 and 360 editions differ from Wii, etc?

Ledesma: I can't speak about that stuff yet. We'll be revealing that in the future. Just remember what I said earlier, though -- that we're looking to play to the strengths of our platforms.

IGN: Midway is bringing out its TNA game at some point in the future. With that on the horizon, how has having your first real competition since Legends of Wrestling changes your philosophy when it comes to building your new game?

Ledesma: We welcome all competition in the genre, honestly. But as far as how it affects us, we're just trying to make the highest quality product that we can. Getting the true feeling of the WWE into SmackDown has always been our focus and that hasn't changed. It will be interesting to see what Midway does with TNA, though.

IGN: What sort of presentational improvements have you made?

Ledesma: One of our big additions this year is that ECW has a big presence. We're treating it as an equal brand with the SmackDown and Raw brands and having that in the game is the largest presentational improvement...

IGN: Then I have to ask: if ECW is equal to Raw and SmackDown, why isn't in the title?

Ledesma: [Laughs] Because SmackDown vs. Raw vs. ECW is kind of a long title. But seriously, it's a brand name that people recognize at this point and it's a household name.

IGN: Any parting words for the SmackDown fans who still have more than half a year to wait for SVR 2008?

Ledesma: Certainly. I want them to know that we're doing a lot of research this year to find out what the fans want. We're doing focus testing, dealing with research groups -- we're trying to get their opinions on what they think about our current feature sets and what they'd like to see. We're also doing the data-mining in titles we've already released so we can see what and how the fans are playing. We're taking all this info, putting it together with reviews and message board feedback, and we're trying to get it to become as close to what the fans want as possible.

[Disturbed316]

This is from Gamespot.com (http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6168371.html?tag=latestnews;title;1)

ECW invades SmackDown vs. Raw 2008
First details revealed for this year's WWE wrestlefest on Wii, DS, PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, and PSP.

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
Posted Mar 30, 2007 12:27 pm PT

Last month, THQ told analysts in a quarterly conference call that it would be introducing its SmackDown vs. Raw series of wrestling games to the Nintendo DS, Wii, and PlayStation 3 this year. Today the publisher spilled the first details on SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, which will also appear on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360, combining for the company's largest cross-platform WWE release yet.

THQ also gave a glimpse of what to expect from this year's installment of the game, saying that WWE spin-off league Extreme Championship Wrestling will have a "significant" presence in the game, with a number of ECW stars, arenas, and weapons included. As for the gameplay focus, THQ said that "realism and strategy are at the forefront" with its new struggle submission system, which uses analog controls to let players dictate the amount of pressure applied to their opponents in submission holds.

SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 will also sport adjustments to features included in last year's game, with new rosters, more interactive "hotspots", a combined season and general manager mode, and revised action outside the ring and online community options.

SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is scheduled to release this fall. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's first look at the Wii edition.

[Disturbed316]

A look at the Wii version (http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/action/smackdownvsraw2008/news.html?page=1&sid=6168373)

WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 First Look
THQ parts the curtains on this year's SmackDown! vs. Raw, and gives a sneak peek at the Wii version of the game.
By Brian Ekberg, GameSpot
Posted Mar 30, 2007 1:17 pm PT
DETROIT--It's no surprise that the WWE and THQ chose this time of the year to debut the newest release in the SmackDown! vs. Raw series. This is WrestleMania 23 weekend after all and, with the pay-per-view event returning to Detroit for the first time in twenty years, it's an ideal time to show off the next iteration in the popular wrestling series. Today THQ unwrapped the first details on WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 at a press conference, showing details of the game, and giving a first-ever look at the Nintendo Wii debut of the game.

One of the main areas of focus for the team behind the game has been to move away from the canned animations, outlandish HUD elements, and button mashing that defined so many of the earlier games in the series. The shift in focus will be realized in a number of different new features in SVR 2008, including new fighting styles and new submission control system.

The fighting styles sounds like it will have a dramatic effect on SVR 08's gameplay. The game will include eight fighting styles in which both the WWE wrestlers and your created grapplers will be categorized into: hardcore, high flyer, submission artist, powerhouse, brawler, showman, dirty, technical. And while in previous SVR games, you've always had the ability to assign different styles to your wrestlers, the game didn't always demonstrate a good sense of internal logic--consider the fact that you could easily have big man Kane pulling off high flyer moves normally reserved for the likes of Jeff Hardy or Rey Mysterio Jr. That won't be the case thanks to the new fighting styles, as wrestlers will be regimented into the roles that better suits their real-life capabilities.

That isn't to say that the WWE superstars will be constrained, however. Indeed, each of the eight fighting styles in the game will have its own strengths, weaknesses, and special moves that no other fighting style will have. Consider the "dirty" wrestler, for example. In one gameplay clip showed by THQ, a "dirty" Randy Orton used the referee as a human shield in order to prevent further attacks from Kane, before shoving the referee into his opponent and knocking him down.. As producers put it, using this special "referee shield" move will mean your opponent will not be able to attack you for a brief period of time.

A later clip showed some of the high flying moves, with Rey Mysterio pulling off his trademark aerial stunts against the much bigger Bobby Lashley. And speaking of Lashley, the WrestleMania 23 main event-er is a powerhouse in the game, both figuratively and literally. As a powerhouse, Lashley and his fellow brutes like Kane and Batista will be able to power out of pinfalls, no matter how hurt they are (assuming they've got a finisher stored, that is).

Last year's SmackDown! vs. Raw introduced some new control elements to the game, taking a step away from some of the button-mashing mini-games and introducing things like the environmental hot spots and the analog-stick-centric ultimate control moves. With SVR 2008, the submission control system takes one more step in the same direction with what producers are referring to as the struggle submission system. Now, locking up your opponent in a Boston crab, for example, will result in a sort of push-and-pull minigame between both players; one that is completely free of extraneous HUD elements and instead focuses on the animations of the two struggling grapplers themselves.

Once you've locked in your hold on your foe, you'll have a couple of options: do you go for the ultimate power submission move and try to get your opponent to tap out, or do you decrease the pressure, keep the hold on longer, and hope to wear down your opponent. You'll control these moves with the analog stick--the further you pull back on the stick, the more pressure you'll apply on the hold. No more timing minigames for the submissions, no more odd timing meters showing up on screen; instead, you're focusing just on the wrestlers and their animations. During a clip showing off the new system, Randy Orton locked up Triple H in a painful-looking abdominal stretch; the clip demonstrated how as you apply pressure with the analog stick, your controlled wrestler's animation will wrench back to really put on the pressure.

The producers are also aiming to make sure that both players have control during these submissions; so that while the player initiating the hold is exerting pressure on his opponent, the "defending" player will be struggling to free himself (or herself) from the hold. No word yet on how these struggles will actually play as we haven't had a chance to try out the game for ourselves, but it will be interesting to see how it works.

Introduced two years ago, the general manager mode didn't get a huge upgrade in last year's game. That's set to change with the introduction of WWE 24/7 mode, which will combine the managerial options of GM mode with the career-oriented goals and storylines of the game's traditional season mode. Here your goal will be to take your chosen wrestler (be it a member of the WWE roster, or your created star) and guide their career from relative nobody to WWE Legend and ultimately, induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

While actual details of how the two elements combine aren't fully known yet, we do know that 24/7 mode will include things like branching story paths, plenty of new cut scenes starring WWE talent, stat tracking, constantly updated goals, and a storyline that will take you and your wrestler through several seasons. Unlike in previous years' season mode, you won't be just going from one weekly event to the next in 24/7 mode; instead, you'll be responsible for your wrestlers' day-to-day activities, such as training and even attending autograph sessions with your fans.

In addition to the new features, SVR 2008 will also be making debuts on a number of gaming systems--including the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii. At today's press event, we got a sneak peek at the Wii version of the game courtesy of two members from the Yuke's development team behind the game. The two developers, one of whom dressed as John Cena, the other as Triple H, took control of their respective superstar and proceeded to go to town on one another in the game, whipping their Wii remotes and nunchuks in all directions as the wrestlers on screen responded.

THQ isn't prepared to discuss the specifics of the Wii controls as of yet, but some things are already apparent. Basic strikes look to be controlled by the Wii remote. At one point, one player lifted his opponent up into a slam by lifting grappling his foe and then pushing up with the Wii remote. At another point, Triple H had Cena backed in the corner, stood up on the and proceeded to pound on "The Marine's" grill, with the user controlling each individual punch in the sequence. There was even a moment when the player controlling Triple H set off The Game's trademark "DX crotch chop" by... well, chopping at his crotch with the Wii remote and nunchuck. There's still more to learn about the Wii game's controls but judging by the amount of flailing and flapping the two developers were doing during the demo, it looks like it will definitely get your heart rate up.

What THQ can tell us about the Wii game is that it will be a strictly arcade wrestling experience, with the gameplay purposefully sped up to increase the action and big moves, while decreasing the more simulation aspects of other versions of the game. Case in point: characters in the Wii version of the game will not have stamina meters so, as with some other Wii games, it's going to be all-offense all the time. In addition to the Wii version, THQ also announced that a DS version of the game will also debut this year, featuring touch-screen control over your wrestler, more than 80 unique moves and holds, a season mode, and 20 WWE superstars from Raw, SmackDown!, and ECW.

Yeah, we said ECW. The formerly independent extreme wrestling league, now nicely folded into the WWE pantheon, will have a big presence in SVR 2008. From a gameplay standpoint that means new areans, new ECW-specific weapons, a lineup of ECW stars appearing in the game, and a third commentary team added to the game to handle ECW match duties--Joey Styles and Tazz.

Of course, no wrestling game worth its salt will release a new version with some updates to the standard create modes and online options and, though details are scarce, THQ and Yuke's look like they haven't forgotten these features. Online play will include more than 50 match types and the create modes will have new assets to use when creating your new superstar, his or her ring entrance, or championship belt. There's even word of a new interface for the CAW which is long overdue.

Obviously, this is just the first trickle of information on WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 this year, and we can expect a flood of further information to come as the year progresses. With the addition of the ECW roster, the game is due to ship with more than 50 playable superstars. The full list, of course hasn't been released but we do know that mainstays like The Undertaker, Kane, Triple H, and Bobby Lashley will be in the game. As always we're eager to see more and will be bringing you continuing coverage of the game as we lead up to its release in the fall.

[Disturbed316]

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/776/776645/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-unofficial-title-20070328021541641.jpg

One of 15 from IGN (http://uk.media.ps3.ign.com/media/844/844743/imgs_1.html)

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Sounds impressive but honestly after being completely disappointed the past 3 years I'm fully prepared to be let down again</font> :-\

[Russenmafia]

they have to ditch the grappling system from SVR07

[Disturbed316]

I liked the grapple system from last year, I'm just wanting better online play and re-annimated moves.

[The Genius]

and re-do the weight class system.

[DS]

Not impressed with those photos. Pretty sure those were the same shots from 07.

[Dorkchop]

Here's a clip of some gameplay for the Wii version

http://www.ifilm.com/profile/motis766/video/2838094

[Gerard]

They listen to the fans and read multiple forums, funny then how letting you use music from the 360 hdd wasn't included on last years game and it was one of the features people had been screaming about having for months on end (also a relatively easy thing to include but they still didn't). Id also like to see the option of letting you stream videos for your titantron, gets shitty having a wwe logo flashing around or having a caw with a current superstars tron vid.

Those screens though are the same thing every year, bullshit prerenders. Theyre amazingly smooth and theres no rough edges, but amazingly when the game comes out it looks nowhere near as smooth.

Was the same shit with all the wwe games, heres pre-release "screenshots" fom dor 2

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2005/090/reviews/927222_20050401_screen009.jpg http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2005/090/reviews/927222_20050401_screen003.jpg


Now dor 2 did look good but nowhere near that good. Just more pre-release bs hype i suppose. :roll:

Ive also my doubts about the wii version, it looks ok in that vid but controlling it i forsee a big heaache with the amount of movements you're gona have to memorise for the moves.

[Kalyx triaD]

Improved online mode will do, and custom soundtracks for God's sake.

[Extreme Angle]

If they sort out the online lag and remove the spike headbutt and all those type of moves then bang they got me.

[D Mac]

<font color=goldenrod>Sounds impressive but honestly after being completely disappointed the past 3 years I'm fully prepared to be let down again</font> :-\

[DAMN iNATOR]

I like that they say ECW will have a "big presence", however I hope this means that the ECW part of the roster will include the biggest names in ECW (i.e., Sabu, RVD, Snitsky, Sandman, Dreamer, etc., etc.)...

[D Mac]

Snitsky? :lol:

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>As long as CM Punk is in, I'm happy</font>

[Boondock Saint]

however I hope this means that the ECW part of the roster will include the biggest names in ECW (i.e., Sabu, RVD, Snitsky, Sandman, Dreamer, etc., etc.)...

:wtf:

[Xero]

I'm not going to lie, he's one of their biggest names.

[Boondock Saint]

Didn't even know he was in ECW.

[Shaggy]

Here's a clip of some gameplay for the Wii version

http://www.ifilm.com/profile/motis766/video/2838094


I love at the very end of that video when Cena powerbombs Triple H into a turnbuckle and Triple H barely reacts...you can here the guy in the audience go...

"Did Triple H just no sell that? Wow this game is more realistic that I thought"

[Extreme Angle]

wouldn't mind them totally revamping create a character mode to

[KingofOldSchool]

Here's what I posted in the SVR08 Wishlist thread
---------------------------------------
1. You know how you get the weapons from underneath the ring? Well in SVR08 I think when Finlay does it, out comes Little Bastard and goes around distracting everyone for a minute.

2. Custom soundtrack.

3. More moves in CAW

4. Big ass career mode modeled after No Mercy for the N64

5. Use this roster

Raw:

John Cena
HBK
Triple H
Umaga
Johnny Nitro
Carlito
Ric Flair
Edge
Randy Orton
The Great Khali
Jeff Hardy
Super Crazy
Kenny Dykstra
Chris Masters
Charlie Hass
Shelton Benjamin
JTG
Shad Gaspard

Smackdown

Batista
Undertaker
King Booker
Finlay
Matt Hardy
Kane
Gregory Helms
Rey Mysterio
MVP
Ken Kennedy
Paul London
Brian Kendrick
Jimmy Wang Yang
Chavo Guerrero
Chris Benoit

ECW:

Bobby Lashley
RVD
Sandman
Sabu
Tommy Dreamer
CM Punk
Elijah Burke
Kevin Thorn
Matt Striker
Marcus Cor Von

Then add maybe 15-20 Legends

6. Alternate attires, NOT suits or stupid shit like that.
--------

Now to touch base on a couple of things. For the improved career mode, they need to work it so where you have a whole set of different paths you can take. For instance...

I start a career with C.M. Punk, the option at the start asks if you want to start as a heel or a face. Either alignment you chose brings you its own unique multi-branching storylines. I chose to start Punk off as a face.

You start your career wrestling on Heat and house shows wrestling guys like Charlie Haas, Gregory Helms, and Matt Striker. When you reach a certain amount of wins, you get called up to television. That's when the first storyline starts where you are in the middle of a bidding war to get your contract. Raw, ECW, and Smackdown are all trying to win your services. Raw is represented by Vince McMahon, ECW is represented by Shane McMahon, and Smackdown is represented by Teddy Long.

After wrestling on each show, you finally pick which contract you want to sign. And whatever show you chose you get your own unique set of babyface storylines for the show you chose. So there would be the following branching storylines...

Babyface Raw wrestler storyline
Heel Raw wrestler storyline
etc etc

On top of that, there can be 1 or 2 character specific storylines where a storyline is created just for that wrestler. And during any point of the season/career you can do a turn. So suppose I want to turn CM Punk heel, well there will be option where you can do a "turn". This will happen in a number of ways...

1. Turn on your tag partner
2. Use heel tactics to win a match.
3. Cheap shot your opponent after a post match handshake.

Then during that match there will be cutscene of the action you chose. This will lead to your branching storyline to switch to the heel storyline and your first feud will be the one involved in the turn naturally. And the catch is that you can only turn once a calendar year in the game. So this can be done if you want feud with a babyface/heel champion or if you just want to turn for the hell of it.

Also, if you compete and win in the Royal Rumble match, you can choose which brand's title you want to wrestle for at Wrestlemania. So say you're a Smackdown star and win the Rumble, you can pull a Benoit and show up on Raw and challenge for the WWE Title.

After Wrestlemania and you decide to continue on with your current wrestler then there will be a Draft Lottery angle where there could be a chance you get drafted to another show. This way it adds more of an unpredictable feeling to the season/career mode.

Now I know they will never do any of what I just said, but I think they have the ability to do that if they actually took time to do it.

[Extreme Angle]

In the ign thing it says something about being able to choose your undertaker...
Well how about instead of different attires, different eras.
Like Rey could have his tights attire and pants attire, Kane masked and unmasked as always, and taker has like 3, badass, ministry and current

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Here's my annual fantasy roster. Though it'll obviously never happen cause A) there will be divas as always and B) I doubt they'll have an equal number from each brand

But I'll go with 17 per show for a total of 51 current wrestlers (like last year)

RAW:
Carlito
Charlie Haas
Edge
Eugene
Jeff Hardy
John Cena
Johnny Nitro
JTG
Kenny Dykstra
Randy Orton
Ric Flair
Shad
Shawn Michaels
Shelton Benjamin
Super Crazy
The Great Khali
Triple H
Umaga

SmackDown!:
Batista
Brian Kendrick
Chavo Guerrero
Chris Benoit
Deuce
Domino
Finlay
Gregory Helms
Jimmy Wang Yang
Kane
Ken Kennedy
King Booker
Matt Hardy
MVP
Paul London
Rey Mysterio
The Undertaker

ECW:
Balls Mahoney
Bobby Lashley
CM Punk
Elijah Burke
Hardcore Holly
Kevin Thorn
Little Guido Maritato
Marcus Cor Von
Matt Striker
Mike Knox
Rob Van Dam
Sabu
Snitsky
Stevie Richards
The Sandman
Tommy Dreamer

Alright well it ended up being 18 Raw, 17 SD, 16 ECW and that's just because that's the entire male ECW roster right there. Though obviously, half those guys won't make the cut and if they do, they'll be the jobbers of the game</font>

[starfox8500]

"We pride ourselves on that -- listening to the people who show concern so we can give them the best game."

:rofl: :rofl: yeah them AND Vince right :rofl: :rofl:

[Kane Knight]

"We pride ourselves on that -- listening to the people who show concern so we can give them the best game."

:rofl: :rofl: yeah them AND Vince right :rofl: :rofl:

Come on, Vince LOVES fan input!

Anyway, if they dumb down CAW mode again, I won't get it. I've said my peace on what I want in the SVR "wishlist" thread, and a lot of it revolves around CAW.

[Gerard]

1 thing thats always bugged me about 2k7, wtf is it with not allowing the logos to be used in the online mode? Even if you remove the logos from the character you're still not able to use him online? Why include them in the game even if it prevents your created characters from being used online? :wtf:

[MTH15]

I've been wanting the make a match feature but that wont happen. I can imagine it. 30 man Hell in a Cell Royal Rumble. Or a TLC Hell in a cell match :). And if you have PS3 or XBox360..or Ps2 you can get online and download new rosters and music.

[Extreme Angle]

The official name of the game is "Smackdown vs Raw 2008 - ECW Invasion"
On the ign interview video to the left of the guy you can see the full logo on the screen...

[Disturbed316]

IGN have some video's up showing how to use the ref as a shield, a one man con-chair-to and a powerbomb onto steel steps :heart:

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah that stuff all looked awesome.

My dream roster has already been proven wrong because I saw Chris Masters in the video at one point</font> :o

[Gerard]

Graphics seem to be a slight improvement over 2007, orton also seems to have a new movement animation. Be nice if they let us have different camera angles to play the game from, sorta like DOR-2 which had a few alternate angles you could select. Sometimes the game just looks too far into the wrestlers, be nice to have the option to scale it back without having to resort to a battle royal or something like that.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

FUCK YES!!!

It looks like they've added either set animations or contact animations for diving attacks to the outside, along with some new dives. Meaning an asai moonsault won't hit the guy like a strike, but like an actually top rope move. It looks like a real diving attack, and awesome.

Also, it looks like they added springboard attacks to the inside, as Mysterio does a springboard Rana into the ring (Non pinning), and the whole thing didn't look like a canned animation.

[Nowhere Man]

I just hope they finally balance out the weight-classes. I'm tired of not being able to do jack-shit with the Cruiserweights.

[Extreme Angle]

I just hope they finally balance out the weight-classes. I'm tired of not being able to do jack-shit with the Cruiserweights.
Yeah, you should be able to do a move on anybody, if your a cruiserweight then it should change the picking up moves to moves that can be done against big guys.

[KingofOldSchool]

They need to improve upon the belt entrances, they started a good thing last year when they had unique championship entrances for Cena, Kane, Big Show, MNM, etc. But they need to improve upon that and include ones for people like Benoit, Taker, RVD, and some of the legends.

Also they need to do updated victory celebrations. I don't want to see Kane jumping around and crying when he wins a title

[Gerard]

Yeah, you should be able to do a move on anybody, if your a cruiserweight then it should change the picking up moves to moves that can be done against big guys.


Ive been saying that for years, moves and effectiveness of the move should depend on your characters weight\size and the opponents weight\size.

Good example would be someone like bigshow, if he's gonna chokeslam someone like mysterio he should be able to pick him up, hold him there for a bit maybe walk around some then slam him down. Against heavier wrestlers (say batista or hhh) he should be able to hold him up for a bit (not a long a he would mysterio and no walking) then slam him down. Then for the heaviest wrestlers like mark henry etc his animation should be pretty similar to the one in the 2007 game, where its a fast move with not a lot of height.

That kind of thing would look good in the game where you don't get bored of seeing the same animation time after time. Also if its like the last scenario against the heaviest wrestlers the move shouldn't be as devestating and not do as much damage since the height is missing from the move.

They could do this with a lot of the moves in the game, would take a while with animating it but the end result would look pretty good. They go on and on about this weight system like it has meaning but as soon as the specials are being used the weight system suddenly has no meaning anymore and small wrestlers can toss around 500lb guys with ease. :?:

[Inadequacy]

Not really much to this but one thing that really bugged me in '07 was that, with the exception of Vito, there were no light heavyweights, the middle ground between heavyweights and cruiserweights. Just got on my nerves.

[Just John]

This shit better be good this time around, Everything since HCTP has just become a complete letdown. WWE 24/7 sounds alright though, hopefully season mode is gonna be a whole new book this time.

I was a bit put out when I heard that the unique fighting styles was actually just 8 fighting styles, whats the betting the moves are dependent on those again :( so lets say Brock Lesnar (Yeah I know he wont be in the game) is a Grappler/Brawler, he wont be able to do the shooting star press because that move is a lightweight move :-\

Struggle submission system is the new big thing? Wow...how unimpressive.


The right analogue control system sucks too. And as far as graphics and detail goes, nothings really changed, although I'll watch those videos in a sec.

Things that NEED to be changed

-Weight detection needs to be kicked in the face and seriously sorted out. What was wrong with the old system?

-We need a GOOD new grapple system, the right analogue system sucks, quick and slow moves were just pointless. And pulling off any move just made every match seem slow and sluggish. Either a complete overhaul, or just revert back to the HCTP days.

-Season mode needs to be alot better, if we are gonna get the same old road to wrestlemania shit, I want to at least play out every single week of the year, rather than going from Backlash, to Summerslam, to Survivor Series to Royal Rumble and then Wrestlemania. Voice overs are not essential, only put them in if you can do an amazing job with the season mode.

-The general feel of the game needs to be changed, after a few plays of SvR 07, it just feels worn out, and like a typical wrestling game. The crowd have gotta be alive.

-FOR FUCK SAKE CHANGE THE COMMENTARY OR DONT PUT ANY IN.

[Xero]

I don't know why everyone hates the control stick scheme, I personally prefer it over the button layout. It seems more natural, especially with running moves and the like.

[Disturbed316]

The right stick control system was the best thing they did last year, I prefer it over the button layout.

[DAMN iNATOR]

If 24/7 Mode is going to live up to the hype it's been getting, it better not prove to be another half-assed season mode like we've been getting since HCTP. Seriously.

[Destor]

Have I ever told you all I hate this thread and all of it's predecessors? Yeah well I do. For next year this is the only thread I'm going to see for quite some time. GAY.

[Disturbed316]

We :heart: you too Destor.

[D Mac]

I was just thinking today that if they can have expansions for Oblivion that adds on a whole new world with new characters and places and shit, then SURELY they can have roster updates on this game and even new arenas and shit.

[D Mac]

and shit.

[MTH15]

I never even got SD vs Raw 08. I just never really had a chance to get it.

[D Mac]

I never even got SD vs Raw 08. I just never really had a chance to get it.

Probably because SD vs Raw 08 isn't even out yet. :roll:

:p

[Xero]

I was just thinking today that if they can have expansions for Oblivion that adds on a whole new world with new characters and places and shit, then SURELY they can have roster updates on this game and even new arenas and shit.
Yeah, but as I said in that thread a while back, it won't happen because they'd lose money.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Well, on the previous page I had my dream roster. So here I'll post my more realistic roster. Sticking to the parameters (51 active wrestlers). Despite going against my will and adding divas, I didn't exceed the number from last year.

<b>RAW:</b>
Candice
Carlito
Chris Masters
Edge
Jeff Hardy
John Cena
Johnny Nitro
Kenny Dykstra
Melina
Mickie James
Randy Orton
Ric Flair
Shawn Michaels
The Great Khali
Torrie Wilson
Triple H
Umaga

<b>SmackDown!:</b>
Ashley
Batista
Brian Kendrick
Chavo Guerrero
Chris Benoit
Finlay
Gregory Helms
Jillian
Jimmy Wang Yang
Kane
Ken Kennedy
King Booker
Matt Hardy
Montel Vontavious Porter
Paul London
Rey Mysterio
The Undertaker

<b>ECW:</b>
Ariel
Balls Mahoney
Bobby Lashley
CM Punk
Elijah Burke
Hardcore Holly
Kevin Thorn
Little Guido Maritato
Marcus Cor Von
Matt Striker
Mike Knox
Rob Van Dam
Sabu
Snitsky
Stevie Richards
The Sandman
Tommy Dreamer

This is, of course, assuming ECW really is meant to be "equal" to Raw and SD in this game (which I'd assume means roster size). Still, I can't quite see them putting Guido or Mike Knox in. But you never know.

As for legends, I'd guess we'll probably get more of the same. The one major change I can see is we'll go back to having one Foley. That would free up 2 legend spots that would probably go to JBL (so that each show has a playable commentator), and Vince or something.</font>

[D Mac]

PSYCHO SID :mad:

[Extreme Angle]

The only thing I don't like in svr 07 is:
Serious Lag
Spike Headbutt
Body Punch
I'm fine if they sort those out

[Disturbed316]

I wonder what Sid's dirty special could be....

[Xero]

Stink face.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Saw a vid on Gamespot saying there's gonna be no HUDs this year and that the superstar's actions will speak for themselves (so that you'll know whats injured and all that).

The only confusion I can see is not knowing when you have a finisher stored.</font>

[Gerard]

LOL one of the vids has all the superstars on their superstar challenge thing where they play the game against each other, stryker says to melina "melina, one question" then some girls shouts, "are you a hooker?". :lol:
:rofl:


http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/smackdownvsraw2008/media.html?sid=6168712&autoplay=6168712&om_act=convert&om_clk=mostpop&tag=mostpop;title;1

[Xero]

<font color=goldenrod>Saw a vid on Gamespot saying there's gonna be no HUDs this year and that the superstar's actions will speak for themselves (so that you'll know whats injured and all that).

The only confusion I can see is not knowing when you have a finisher stored.</font>
Maybe it'll be a one finisher deal this year.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I wonder if there will be more people on screen this year.

Honestly it seems to be inevitable, with the 8-man MITB and 8-man tag matches going on. I'd love it.</font>

[James Steele]

They need to go back to the momentum meter ala No Mercy.

[D Mac]

Stink face.
:mad:

[D Mac]

Any word on custom music yet? If anybody finds out, post it in here before you do anything else!

[KingofOldSchool]

That probably won't be brought up for another couple of months.

[Just John]

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VAs3S_NfIKA"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VAs3S_NfIKA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>


Looks pretty good actually.

[Xero]

Pretty good, but I hope they fix the walking, it looks unrealistic.

[KingofOldSchool]

CON-CHAIR-TO

[KingofOldSchool]

http://pwheadlines.com/Photos/SDVSRAW/sd.jpg

[Extreme Angle]

Yeah saw that box art on caws.ws whoever made that must be an amazing gfxer

[D Mac]

That would be an awesome cover. But considering Orton's troubles lately I doubt if he's on it.

[D Mac]

http://www.vgboxart.com/boxes/360/7698-orig.jpg

[D Mac]

http://www.vgboxart.com/boxes/360/7279-orig.jpg

[D Mac]

http://www.vgboxart.com/boxes/360/7388-orig.jpg

[Disturbed316]

lol

[Kalyx triaD]

Well I'm still looking at animations that's been there for ages but some of the stuff looks nice. I can see the upgrades in the High Flying gameplay but everything else is the same. I'm gonna start a post series about developers boasting about non-important features and all around bullshit entitled "Whatever:" where I'll talk about things like this:

Why is the SvR team talking about styles and shit when I don't remember anyone complaining about it last year? You know what I care about? Old-ass animations and obvious-yet-absent features in the Smackdown series. In that vid above; Old-ass animations and little I really wanted to see. They wanna impress me I better see a vid of a custom soundtracks option.

More to come.

[D Mac]

http://www.vgboxart.com/boxes/360/7388-orig.jpg

Just noticed they have Samoa Joe vs Rey Mysterio. :shifty:

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Well, Sabu's been released.

God I hope the cutoff was Mania so he can crack the roster. I've created him every year and now finally here's a chance to get him in the game and he gets cut.</font> :mad:

[KingofOldSchool]

<font color=goldenrod>Well, Sabu's been released.

God I hope the cutoff was Mania so he can crack the roster. I've created him every year and now finally here's a chance to get him in the game and he gets cut.</font> :mad:

Even if the cutoff was WM 23, they can still remove him from the final build.

[Evil Vito]

Even if the cutoff was WM 23, they can still remove him from the final build.

<font color=goldenrod>I know, though in most cases people are left in.

I think what helps Sabu is that ECW is meant to have a "major" presence in the game</font>

[DAMN iNATOR]

I know, though in most cases people are left in.

I think what helps Sabu is that ECW is meant to have a "major" presence in the game

We can only hope he'll be in. If not, there better be a damn sure deeper C-A-W mode than last year for creating superstars.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Great, now that RVD is gone too, with The Sandman probably next, ECW's major impact is ******* pointless.

[D Mac]

We can only hope he'll be in. If not, there better be a damn sure deeper C-A-W mode than last year for creating superstars.

And CUSTOM MUSIC. :mad:

[Shaggy]

Just because they are gone now doesnt mean that they will just be taken out of the game...

There are always a few people that are gone from WWE by the time the game was out...just take last years for example...By the time the game came out Kurt Angle was gone...and the sad thing is Angle was the highest overall in the game...

But on the other hand there wasnt much time after it happened so perhaps they will be out of the game...which sucks horribly...All we are gonna get is the fuckin New Breed invading Raw and Smackdown...no originals

[D Mac]

Just because they are gone now doesnt mean that they will just be taken out of the game...

There are always a few people that are gone from WWE by the time the game was out...just take last years for example...By the time the game came out Kurt Angle was gone...and the sad thing is Angle was the highest overall in the game...

But on the other hand there wasnt much time after it happened so perhaps they will be out of the game...which sucks horribly...All we are gonna get is the fuckin New Breed invading Raw and Smackdown...no originals

Which is why Custom Music MUST be in. If not I will not buy this game.

Well I probably will anyway but that's beside the point. :shifty:

[PorkSoda]

Kevin Thorn will be in the game. I love his music.

Vee Ar Shmutt Toy Toy Butt Soy Vee All Shadzma Veel Drop Da Toy

[DAMN iNATOR]

Kevin Thorn will be in the game. I love his music.

Vee Ar Shmutt Toy Toy Butt Soy Vee All Shadzma Veel Drop Da Toy

No offense, but do you work for THQ? Because if not, I’ll thank you not to jump to conclusions about who’s going to be in SD!v.R ’08 until the final roster info is released by THQ and verified by a reputable gaming site (i.e., IGN). THANK-YOU!:foc:

[Zeeboe]

I hope there are more legends in the game. It'd be really cool if more legends could be played in the storylines. I'd love it if there was a legends of wrestling game, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw style though where players could play classic wrestling angles or change history ala Rocky Legends. Hulk Hogan could finally beat the Warrior or Hulk Hogan would finally pass the torch to Bret Hart in 1993 or it was Bret Hart who beat HBK at Wrestlemania 12 and the 1997 Survivor Series 97' screw job never happens. And it'd also be cool if the WWE legends could provide their voices for the game. But that's a whole other topic. Getting more real now...

I do hope at least a few legends are playable in season mode in the game and that a few of them do the voice-over's for their characters like Foley and Piper did in the last one and that the legends are included in the storylines as well. And I hope the legends entrance's are more realistic as well, with their music being played and them having a video up on the titan tron..because not all the legends had their music or a video.

I'd also like it if they brought back lumberjack matches and made the blood more gory so the ECW matches have a more realistic feel to them. I hope commentary is brought back too but I hope the guys say more stuff to keep it interesting, and I hope they work on the realisim of the crowd attendence. And an ECW storyline where they invade the WWE would be cool and the players get to pick their side.

And in regards of the CAW's, I hope there are more sample voices to pick from.

[The Fugitive]

And in regards of the CAW's, I hope there are decent voices to pick from.

Fixed.

[Kane Knight]

I know, though in most cases people are left in.

I think what helps Sabu is that ECW is meant to have a "major" presence in the game

?Yeah, but then you have the Jeff Hardys.

[D Mac]

I'm guessing MVP will have his whole coming out of the tunnel enterance?

[Kalyx triaD]

I played a guest ref match just now, and it blows. As Ref, I should decide when the bell rings to start a match, that way two guys could wail on each other DQ free before the match is official. Announcing tap-outs should be my call (No Mercy did it), and I should call EMT's on a superstar if I feel he's had enough. There's no reason being the freakin ref should be so boring given the power they have.

And when you call in a superstar from your stable to interfere; HE SHOULD HAVE A FINISHER STORED! He should be programed to run in do his finisher by default.

Rip the CA-Entrance from DoR2 and place it in SvR: what we have just doesn't work. The options are stupid, though the execution is noteworthy. I like choosing when pyro occurs, but I like choosing when the wrestler actually appears even better. And why in God's name were the music tracks in Gamecube disks so much longer?

[Kane Knight]

Yeah, but special guest refs almost always suck in these games. And ALWAYS do in Smackdown. Is the ref still about as sturdy as Kleenex?

[Kalyx triaD]

Not only are the refs still fragile, they have a knack for getting RIGHT IN THE ACTION, I suppose to increase chances of the official getting knocked out. It sounds logical on paper until you get bullshit DQs when the ref gets in the way of a grapple.

[James Steele]

Not only are the refs still fragile, they have a knack for getting RIGHT IN THE ACTION, I suppose to increase chances of the official getting knocked out. It sounds logical on paper until you get bullshit DQs when the ref gets in the way of a grapple.

I turned DQ off as soon as I get any wrestling game with an actual ref.

I do occasionally turn it on in a match if I feel like being a chickenshit heel. :shifty:

[Zeeboe]

I wish whenever there was a special ref, the character actually wears a referee uniform to add more realism to the match.

Some legends I'd like to see in the game are The British Bulldog, Kamala and Doink the Clown. I know the last two are famous wrestlecrap characters but I think it'd be cool if the WWE included more of it's cheesy characters in the game. It'd be really funny if they just randomly showed up in storylines and added nothing but humor to them.

Like maybe have Doink appear in the crowds during random matches like he used to back in the day or let's say your wrestler is hunting for his enemy and he's looking all over the backstage for him and he opens a closet and finds Kamala and a diva giggling together and making out and he just shuts the door in disgust.

[Kane Knight]

I wish whenever there was a special ref, the character actually wears a referee uniform to add more realism to the match.

They can only do that with prerendered characters by prerendering a whole new character model for the special ref outfit.

Of course, they don't need to go prerenders (Said this in the last two threads for the last two Smackdowns), but they will. And that means you have the choice of more costumes and 25 characters, or a fuller roster.

Hit detection in this game needs to be better, like I've said before. The refs getting in the way wouldn't be so bad, if you didn't focus on them when ou did so in two of the targeting modes. Same with teammates.

Also, special refs rarely stay down as readily as real refs. So why the fuck do we not only have no control, but get to play Shawn Michaels or Steve Austin as total pussies?

[DAMN iNATOR]

They can only do that with prerendered characters by prerendering a whole new character model for the special ref outfit.

Of course, they don't need to go prerenders (Said this in the last two threads for the last two Smackdowns), but they will. And that means you have the choice of more costumes and 25 characters, or a fuller roster.

Hit detection in this game needs to be better, like I've said before. The refs getting in the way wouldn't be so bad, if you didn't focus on them when ou did so in two of the targeting modes. Same with teammates.

Also, special refs rarely stay down as readily as real refs. So why the fuck do we not only have no control, but get to play Shawn Michaels or Steve Austin as total pussies?

The only person I could ever see wearing a ref's outfit of any kind would probably be Mick Foley, just because of the poor quality of his custom-made ref's outfit.

[KingofOldSchool]

I'd be happier with less match types if it meant having more wrestlers AND alternate attires.

And not all guys need alternate attires (well except for ref shirts), ya know guys like Khali, Snitsky, Umaga, Lashley, The Sandman, etc.

[Lux]

If this game lives up to hype (like hell it will) atleast some will be better.

Its a little much to have everything down to par with our standerds, kind of easy for us to sit here saying what they should fix when a large majority here can barely work a keyboard

[Kalyx triaD]

Our complaints are sound. Most of us aren't asking for much either.

[Kane Knight]

Our complaints are sound. Most of us aren't asking for much either.

Truly.

[Kane Knight]

It's kidn of like saying we shouldn't complain that the garage can't get our headlights right because we're nto certified mechanics.

Granted, I can swap out my headlights, but that's besides the point.

[D Mac]

So, is the upcoming draft rosters going to be in, or will we get the old ones.

[KingofOldSchool]

So, is the upcoming draft rosters going to be in, or will we get the old ones.

When don't even know the roster yet let alone who is going to be on what show.

[D Mac]

So I ask again. Do you think the new draft rosters will be on this game? They should just make it where you could edit your own rosters on Season mode.

[Kalyx triaD]

That would solve alot of the issues with atleast the rosters. It'll be easy to simply assign superstars to a specific show whenever it happens on TV, and it'll cause even on a small scale some replay value (think of updating wrestler's attire in No Mercy).

[Theo Dious]

The REAL question is: will there be a "Vince Dies in Exploding Limo" storyline in SDvR08???

[D Mac]

The REAL question is: will there be a "Vince Dies in Exploding Limo" storyline in SDvR08???

Lord I hope not.

[Kalyx triaD]

There was an angle when Kurt Angle was changed into a female by that Go Daddy girl's 'magic'. An exploding car would be a step in logic.

[D Mac]

You'll probably have to wrestle zombies or some shit.

[Disturbed316]

It wasn't just Angle, it would happen to any person you were controlling.

[Kalyx triaD]

With plenty of time to tune the game before Fall comes around, do you think the Draft will affect the game's roster?

I'm still hoping that you can just adjust it yourself but DOUBT IT. And I hope they keep the ECW Originals move-sets since I'm pretty sure the models got a ticket to deleteville.

[Disturbed316]

If they are going with the "ECW Invasion" subtitle, then they need to atleast have all originals in the ECW brand IMO.

[KingofOldSchool]

The rosters will probably be set accordingly, they've done it in the past.

[Kalyx triaD]

Have you any idea how long I wanted to do the Arabian Skull Crusher in a Smackdown game?

[Kane Knight]

How long?

[Kalyx triaD]

A long time.

[Disturbed316]

They will probably just have a top rope leg drope for his finisher due to lazyness.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, I'm guessing it'll be like in past games: the rosters will be set accordingly for exhibition mode, but season mode's rosters will be based on the rosters pre-draft.
For instance, even though Sandman is listed as being on Raw in exhibition mode, expect him to be part of the ECW Invasion in season. If you use Benoit, Booker, or Kennedy in season, expect to be on Smackdown, etc.</font>

[KingofOldSchool]

Yeah especially since they've probably got most of the season mode coded and everything into the game at this point.

[Kane Knight]

Simply letting you edit rosters in Season mode would help a lot. Remember HCTP?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, that was great. As long as season is VO-based though, it won't happen. Otherwise they'd have to have everyone record VO for every possible storyline depending on how you shake the rosters up, and I just don't see it happening.

If they had the option to eliminate VO and do a text-based season (with different storylines to go through and all that, while caryring data from past seasons), it'd be pretty awesome. I did at least a dozen seasons in HCTP and I always had a blast checking the stats of the other wrestlers. I would shake the rosters up too, just for the hell of it.</font>

[D Mac]

As long as Sandman comes in from the crowd and smashes a beer can on his forehead and busts himself open and spits beer at the crowd, I'll be happy.

You think busting yourself open with a beer can will have an affect on your stamina before the match? :shifty:

[D Mac]

They had better remove Benoit completely from the roster.

[Extreme Angle]

They had better remove Benoit completely from the roster.
I want him in, but I don't want him in...

[Disturbed316]

Keep his move set in, entrance walk, but nothing else.

[KingofOldSchool]

I don't really give a fuck.

If he's still in the game, don't play as him. Or at least make him face Khali and Umaga in a handicap match.

[Extreme Angle]

I want him in because he was one of my favourites to play as, but i disrespect him so much, I also love his music :)
But he won't be in, I know for a fact he won't.
They'll replace him for Jamie Noble or someone

[starfox8500]

I want Muhammed Hussan in this game

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, there's no way he'll be in. He'll be taken out (probably unlockable with a cheat device)

I'm guessing it's too late to replace him with anyone</font>

[TheProfessional]

I want Muhammed Hussan in this game

:y: :y: :y:

[What Would Kevin Do?]

I'm all for not taking characters out.

Benoit is no exception.

[Shaggy]

I think Benoit will be removed due to the fact that WWE seems to be erasing all existence of him.

[D Mac]

Yeah I think WWE will probably demand it.

[D Mac]

I wonder if he's recorded any voiceovers for season mode. They'll have to rework that too if they take him out.

[Xero]

Never thought of story mode. If he's in one of the major storylines it may delay it.

[D Mac]

Ah dammit I hope not.

[KingofOldSchool]

I'd just keep him in, especially if it would be hard to recode everything.

But they will probably take him out regardless, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the game be pushed back until mid-December.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Jeremy Dunham(Makaze-IGN) said he's going to start the info in July.

proof (http://boards.ign.com/wwe_smackdown/b6546/144361408/p1/?113)

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

First pics of the released

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page1.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page2.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page3.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page4.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page5.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page6.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page7.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page8.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page9.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page10.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page11.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/wwerulesbyben/360Gamer-SVR2008-Page12.jpg
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/33/fpag7m7f433a6er6.jpg

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

the first minute is new footage http://youtube.com/watch?v=pucuHMeYd74

[KingofOldSchool]

SANDMAN :love:

[Evil Vito]

SANDMAN :love:

[Skippord]

lol @ Sandman

[Disturbed316]

lol

[Xero]

WOOOOORRRLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDD!

[Xero]

Looks really great.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

There will be a small update tomorrow. It's probably something we already know though like Powerhouse's such as Batista and Bobby Lashey have 2 special abilities which are "Rampage" - which opponents can't reverse attacks for one minute, and "Power Out" which uses a stored finisher to power out of any pin/Hardcore like Sandman have "Rage Out" - They can grab a chair and smack themselves in the face, causing the them face to bleed, but giving them extra momentum.

[D Mac]

Hardcore like Sandman have "Rage Out" - They can grab a chair and smack themselves in the face, causing the them face to bleed, but giving them extra momentum.

Or a beer can. :D

[Disturbed316]

lol

[Disturbed316]

The two new confirmed wrestlers are Sandman (as we already knew) and Jeff Hardy. Oh and all three commentry teams will be in the game.

[KingofOldSchool]

Judging by the article, you can pretty much confirm MVP and probably Balls Mahoney.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Apparently in GamesMaster magazine, this was said:

"We went to Japan and tested this game out, starting with an Extreme rules match. Amazingly there were 10 superstars involved."

I won't believe it until I see it, but 10 superstars on screen would be pretty kickass and it would mean 5 vs. 5 Survivor Series elimination matches.</font>

[KingofOldSchool]

Hell I'd be happy with a 4 on 4 Survivor Series match mode.

[Lux]

I'll be happy with what i get out of this, however it must me my expectations to the point. ah fuck just give me a hell of a good game for once

[D Mac]

The two new confirmed wrestlers are Sandman (as we already knew) and Jeff Hardy. Oh and all three commentry teams will be in the game.

Sweet. Joey Styles had better say "OH MY GOD!" many times. :D

[Evil Vito]

Hell I'd be happy with a 4 on 4 Survivor Series match mode.

<font color=goldenrod>Ditto, but like I said...I'll believe it when I see it. It would seem odd for them to jump from 6 to 10 just like that, but who knows. If it is, in fact, true...I hope there's an option to only display the HUD of the legal superstar, so as to not clutter the screen.

I definitely think The Sandman is gonna be this year's Kennedy...he's the guy everybody wants to see in the countdown because of his entrance. I can see them half-assing it and not having him enter from the crowd at all, but I also never thought they would give Kennedy VO for his entrance, so who knows.

I'm eager to hear more info on this game.</font>

[KingofOldSchool]

Sweet. Joey Styles had better say "OH MY GOD!" many times. :D

I can imagine the commentary.

*Sandman punches Elijah Burke*

Tazz: The Sandman is one tough individual.
Styles: OH MY GOD!

*later on*

Tazz: Burke has boxing background.
Styles: OH MY GOD!

[KingofOldSchool]

<font color=goldenrod>Ditto, but like I said...I'll believe it when I see it. It would seem odd for them to jump from 6 to 10 just like that, but who knows. If it is, in fact, true...I hope there's an option to only display the HUD of the legal superstar, so as to not clutter the screen.

I definitely think The Sandman is gonna be this year's Kennedy...he's the guy everybody wants to see in the countdown because of his entrance. I can see them half-assing it and not having him enter from the crowd at all, but I also never thought they would give Kennedy VO for his entrance, so who knows.

I'm eager to hear more info on this game.</font>

I can see his entrance going like this.

His music hits

The camera moves around trying to find where he is at

A closeup of The Sandman around a few fans

Sandman walks down the steps in the arena

Sandman gets on top of the barricades and pops open a beer and smashes it on his head

Sandman gets in the ring

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Last I heared Vito, both the HUD and the GUI(submission meter) were removed. Anyway here what Jeremy Dunham said about Monday's update.

Just a head's up -- the hands-on article I referred to in that Roster update yesterday will post Monday evening (PST), July 9. It's a hands-on piece with the E3 builds of the DS, Wii and PS3/Xbox 360 versions of the game. All three are different too, so when I visited THQ to check them out I brought Matt and Bozon from the Nintendo team along with me. As you'd expect, we'll have some new details and media from all the platforms to go along with our write-ups, so be on the lookout for that.

On a related note, I have accepted a promotion within the company and have ascended from my Editor--in-Chief role on the PlayStation Team to the even-bigger task of Editorial Manager for all of IGN.com's games properties. With this move into second-highest editorial role on the network (behind Tal) it means that my writing will drastically decrease. I'm handing over the reigns of our yearly SmackDown coverage to Mark Bozon (Nintendo Team), Greg Miller (PlayStation Team), and David Craddock (Xbox Team) and all three will do a fine job with the Countdown and are familiar enough with the product to do it justice. Of course, I may pop in now and again with an article here and there, but it's hard to say.

Anyway, I figured I'd just give you guys a bit of an explanation/ goodbye since I've worked so closely with the SmackDown community over the last 5 years-plus. I hope that you enjoyed our coverage as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you, and want to reiterate that just because I'm moving on, it doesn't mean our previews, news, and features are too. Happy gaming guys!

[The Fugitive]

I can see his entrance going like this.

His music hits

The camera moves around trying to find where he is at

A closeup of The Sandman around a few fans

Sandman walks down the steps in the arena

Sandman gets on top of the barricades and pops open a beer and smashes it on his head

Sandman 'assaults' a female fan

Sandman gets in the ring

Fixed.

And if it's true that every commentary team is going to be involved, I swear to god if every second word out of Joey's mouth is 'OH MY GOD' or 'CAAAAAAAATFIGHT!' during a Divas match, I'm going to snap the disc.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Damn, gonna be weird having someone other than Jeremy doing the SD coverage. Gonna have to start checking the XBox/Wii/PS Smackdown 08 pages separately, cause as it sounds, there is gonna be a new guy handling updates for each system.

Oh, and I'm hearing that Playstation Magazine has also mentioned 10 guys on screen. That's two mags confirming it now, who knows.</font>

[KingofOldSchool]

If that's the case I will except nothing less than a 4 on 4 Survivor Series match.

Now is the 10 guys on screen include the ref or not?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'm assuming it doesn't include the ref. A theory I have is that the ref and commentary teams might not be on screen at all while 10-man matches are going on (think JBI where there was no ref for 8-man battle royals)</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'm wondering...since Chris Benoit was, in all likelihood, in the game only to be removed...any chance they'll just cut Sabu and RVD out while they are at it to make the game "more up to date"?</font>

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Part of me thinks they will, and another part thinks they won't, we'll just have to wait 3-6 weeks till the roster is revealed.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah...even if they are removed, I bet they'll still be unlockable via cheat device ala Big Show/Ken Shamrock in SD2</font>

[Disturbed316]

Benoit will be gone, I think Sabu and RVD will still be around to keep up the ECW numbers.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I hope so, ECW without RVD and Sabu would be rather pointless. The only Original on the ECW roster would be Dreamer (though you gotta figure Sandman and Lashley will be fixtures on ECW in season)</font>

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

I won't believe this until IGN or THQ/Yukes confirm this, but according to a german magazine thats being released in a few days, this game have a create-a-move setting.

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8954/scanzc4.jpg

To enlarge just click anywhere on the pic. Sorry, I don't speak German so I can't translate it.

[Lux]

I hope so, that'd make things a little more interesting :yes:

[Xero]

Create a Move would be interesting, but I can't imagine how it would be pulled off. Unless it's something like a People's Elbow or Five Knuckle Shuffle, where, for example, you could run the ropes and hit a Senton or carry them to the ropes and hit a Super Powerbomb. Or even adding a taunt before a move, like instead of doing the "get up" thing before a Spear you could pray and do it or add a wave before a Powerbomb. I suppose it would involve taunts, actually. (It's getting late and I'm rambling, I know...)

Or they could have meant Create a Taunt like from JBI.

[Xero]

Also, get rid of the hardcore matches with the weapons randomly placed outside. Either add a dumpster or a shopping car or some shit or just enable more random weapons to be pulled out from under the ring. That Sledgehammer is so fucking lame.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Actually, there's going to to be a mini-window when you look under the ring for a weapon where you have a set amount of time to choose a weapon, before you randomly get one.

[Disturbed316]

They always say that Create A Move is in EVER year, and it ALWAYS turns out to be create a move-SET. I'm betting that it turns out to be that.

I agree with the hardcore match thing, its pretty pointless when you only have the same five weapons to play around with, atleast let us go backstage or something.

[Xero]

Actually, there's going to to be a mini-window when you look under the ring for a weapon where you have a set amount of time to choose a weapon, before you randomly get one.
I was talking more about the pre-set Sledge and chair that are always on the outside but that should be awesome.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Info coming in at 10PM EST tonight.

I'm hoping it'll be something that we didn't already know...but I doubt it.</font>

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Same here Vito, most of the early news we already know from magazines. Now if we get the roster already, that would be sweet.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Same here Vito, most of the early news we already know from magazines. Now if we get the roster already, that would be sweet.

Yes, it would be, but I doubt thats gonna happen before late August.

[D Mac]

I just want confirmation on CUSTOM MUSIC.

Then I will be happy. :y:

[DAMN iNATOR]

I just want confirmation on CUSTOM MUSIC.

Then I will be happy. :y:

Yeah, I understand you could possibly have some entrance themes for created wrestlers in the 07 version on your 360 HD and then conveniently play the track instead of the usual in-game audio during the entrance, but that's not really full-on custom music to me, more like NEO-custom musicm if that.

[D Mac]

Yeah I want Enter Sandman playing in Sandman's enterance.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Me too, but why doesn't Vince just ask Triple H to talk to Motörhead about using there version of Enter Sandman if Metallica won't let him use it?

[KingofOldSchool]

<font color=goldenrod>Info coming in at 10PM EST tonight.

I'm hoping it'll be something that we didn't already know...but I doubt it.</font>

I heard they were going to announce that John Cena will have new shoes in the game.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

We paid a visit to THQ's Southern California headquarters last week to see the E3 build of the company's star pinup, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008. Guiding us along was the newly-promoted Creative Manager Bryan Williams and his boss, the Senior Creative Manager (and familiar face to the IGN faithful) Cory Ledesma.

"This year it's all about playing like your favorite superstar," commented Williams. "Fighting styles and character-specific moves are what we really want to stress and that's a big deal for us. We have new strategies that haven't been in the game before and cool match-specific advantages based on style."

Bryan isn't kidding. When we selected the freshly-announced ECW legend Sandman and put him up against the smirk master Randy Orton, we could see the advantages of being a "Hardcore" wrestler in an ECW Extreme Rules match. Sandman's proficiency with weapons helped us own Orton all over the squared circle, while putting chairs on our opponent's neck or pulling off conchairtos added a little extra oomph.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802253/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708090054582-000.jpg

As wrestling fans might expect, the Extreme Rules match is a heck of a lot of fun. Before a bout, users can select which weapons they want to bring with them as part of their setup menu, but that doesn't mean that they'll just appear randomly. Now when you reach under the ring, you can choose one of your items from an analog-controlled wheel; there's no randomization anymore. Even better is that there are new weapons joining old favorites; namely barbed-wired boards and breakable guitars. Expect nine weapon types in all.

Another new touch this year is the ability to interact with fans on all four sides of the ring. But grabbing signs or taking weapons isn't all you can do with them; they can also grab and interact with championship belts or the superstars themselves -- they can even your wrestler on the back or hold an opponent for you so that you can get in a couple of cheap shots in.

Perhaps the more important fix, though, is found with the gameplay itself. Yuke's has made a number mechanical tweaks for fluid action. The ability to run, for example, has been moved off of the buttons completely and is now performed by holding a shoulder button in conjunction with the left analog stick. Exiting the ring and jumping over the apron have been moved to a single button push as well.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802253/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708090052738-000.jpg

"We wanted first-time players to be able to do what they want without having to learn a number of complicated maneuvers," remarked Ledesma. "In the past, we had something like three different buttons you had to push to dive out of the ring on top of somebody; that's hard for beginners. Now, if you want to jump onto your opponent just hit 'Square'' (or X on 360) and you can."

After playing with the new controls ourselves we can attest that the single-button system keeps the matches fluid and fast-paced. It also helps that the new submission system is analog-based as well. How much pressure you apply and how quickly you pump your arms around someone's neck is now entirely up to you -- as is your defense to it, as escaping a grapple is handled with the analog sticks as well. All in all, it's definitely an improvement over last year's edition.

Other new additions worth mentioning include a revamped finishing system that a gives you the option of storing a finisher for use as a style-specific finisher later on. So if, for example, you have a stored finisher with a brawler, when you activate it you'll throw a number of irreversible strikes -- or if you mount a dude on the mat, you can use UFC-style ground and pound punches and head-butts.

There are a bunch of style-specific moves like those mentioned above for other classes too. Showmen can steal an opponent's taunt at any time to increase his momentum, for instance, and is the only class that can perform turnbuckle taunts for himself. Technical guys can reverse any strong grapple as long as they haven't suffered from any limb-specific damage, while high flyers can use quick little evasive rolls to avoid bigger opponents. The whole system works pretty well and to help keep things even for everyone, THQ has even added the option of throwing strikes, even when you're the one caught in a grapple.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802253/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708090050442-000.jpg[/URL]

One of our favorite new improvements is the streamlining that's been done to the menus and match selections. Examples include a "Quick Play" option that will take you into a random match type with random wrestlers via the push of a button (similar to what's found in sports games), while the "Choose Manager" and "Choose Title Bout" option has been removed completely. But don't panic about those last two just yet -- the ability to have a manager escort you down the isle (they come out with you during your entrances now, by the way) or defend a belt is still in there -- now they're just options to choose as part of the match selection process; the days of going into a separate menu for everything are long gone.

Of course, the expected visual enhancements have been made to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions to boot. Crowds look a lot better thanks to depth of field effects, new lighting effects, better 3D and redone faces. Entrances look great too, with a large helping of them having been redone with new mo-cap and other effects (Cena salutes as he comes down to the ring, Sandman bashes his head in with a beer as he moves through the crowd, etc), and hair looks much more realistic. Mo-cap touches the moves themselves too -- Undertaker has a new tombstone (finally), Orton has a redone RKO, and a number of general moves have benefited from the same treatment (scissor kicks, ref arguments, win poses, etc).

THQ has also confirmed that the last-gen versions of SmackDown will be pretty much identical to the PS3 and Xbox 360 version; but system-specific differences are a possibility according to the team (though not confirmed, they were dodgy on that one). At the very least, PS3 fans can rest easy as both the Xbox and PlayStation SKUs are being development simultaneously -- unlike last year when the PS3 version was so severely behind eventually leading to its cancellation.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802253/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708090048660-000.jpg[URL="http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802253/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708090048660-000.jpg"] (http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802253/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708090050442-000.jpg)

As for the rest of SmackDown, THQ isn't showing us yet. Most of the roster is still being shrouded in secret and the create modes are being held back for another day. We did learn that there will be a new interface in these modes, however, and there are some more announcements expected in the coming months (such as the completely new soundtrack),

How will it all turn out? The world is watching...

credit - Jeremy Dunham, ps3.ign.com

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

PS3 pics, sorry for the size, IGN is taking large photos.

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084311002.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084307096.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084304393.jpg
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084309643.jpg
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084300487.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084305737.jpg
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084257768.jpg
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084303221.jpg
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084253284.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/802/802263/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070708084256252.jpg

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Thanks for posting.

But yeah...nothing new.</font> :(

[What Would Kevin Do?]

New RKO :)

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

That info was apparently for the PS3/360, here the Wii.

On the eve of WrestleMania 23 in Detroit Michigan, THQ gave us a brief first look at WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for Nintendo Wii. During the demo members from game developer Yukes took the stage and demoed a quick match between Triple H and John Cena, complete with full Wii motion control for taunts, strikes, and grabs. Now nearly halfway to WrestleMania 24, THQ has again opened its doors to us, showcasing a slightly more in-depth WWE experience, and from what we've played thus far Wii owners may want to take note, as WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is no penny-pinching Wii-make.

For our Pre-E3 demo of the game we had a chance to go hands-on with the latest build of the game, again in a Triple H vs. John Cena match-up. This time around, however, controls were far more involved, using Wii motion at nearly every turn. Players will select their fighter, enjoy in-game intro cinemas complete with the same motion-capture animations as the 360 and PS3 versions, and step into the squared circle. Player control is handled with the analog stick, while basic Will-mote motion takes care of directional strikes. A simple forehand swing will result in, you guessed it, a forehand swing. Backhand strikes (from left to right for a right-handed player) will perform a chop, while swinging up does a powerful upper attack (for Cena it's a dropkick, while Triple H does a big boot), and a swing down does a lower attack such as a mid-section kick.

http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/802/802607/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070709052958211-000.jpg

As for more intricate attacks, players will need to combine motion with button holding. For a quick grapple, hold the A button and motion in one of the four classic directions. Each of these moves will execute a faster, lighter hold - including things like hip tosses, snapmares, or through clotheslines. These holds are meant to be set-ups for stronger offense later, so you'll generally want to weaken an opponent with strikes, move in for a few quick grabs, and then move on to the good stuff.

To execute the larger grab maneuvers - including things like power bombs, sidewalk slams, DDT's, the fireman's carry, and the like - players will hold the B trigger and grab with any of the four directions. From there, these larger attacks act entirely on user motion, so to pull off a powerbomb you'll need to actually flick up with the Wii-mote, wait until your opponent is in position, and then slam down (again with the Wii-mote) to send him to the ground. At any time during holds, however, your opponent can try to wiggle out of your offense by waggling the Wii-mote and nunchuk, so you'll need to execute the moves decisively and effectively to pull off the attack. The balance between strike, light grapple, and hard grapple, as well as the speed and precision of the game reminded us heavily of No Mercy and WrestleMania 2000 on N64, as it had the same risk/reward feel. Pull off a heavy move too soon, and you're going to get beat by a quick slap to the face, and nobody ("And The Rock means nobody!") likes that.

http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/802/802607/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070709052958977-000.jpg

Where the Wii version really breaks the mold, however, is in basic ring control, and it's something that wrestling purists may find to be a bit too basic at times. Analog control is used for navigating the ring, but aside from that many of the actions are context-sensitive. If, for example, you want to do a running clothesline with Cena, you won't actually press a "run" button and then time your strike. Instead, you line up your opponent, motion towards him, and Mr. Chain Gang himself will sprint towards the enemy, pulling off the intended attack once he reaches him. It works, but it's also a give-and-take experience, as it means no running attacks from long distances (attempt the attack from more than a few steps away and he'll strike at shadows), and no free-running when navigating the outside of the ring. THQ is still playing with the idea of adding a run button, and while the running attacks work great in the context-sensitive form, we'd suggest putting in a general "run" trigger as well for more general ring navigation.

That being said, a few of the situation-specific actions work great as well. When throwing a player into a turnbuckle, for example, the default attack will be something like the ten-hit combo or a lift onto the top rung of the post. When nearing the ropes you'll need no button to exit either; simply press towards the ropes for more than an instant, and your player will exit the ring. Likewise, position yourself near an opponent that's outside the ring and deliver a cinematic diving attack by simply swinging your arm to initiate the attack.

Yes, it's a bit shallower than your standard WWE experience, but it also plays into the whole "arcade" feel THQ is going with this time around, and in that sense it works. IGN Wii Editor-in-Chief Matt Casamassina may not be a wrestling enthusiast, but when we climbed into the ring with SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 on Wii he could still give me a decent run for my money with just a basic knowledge of the Wii controls; a far cry from the multi-page instruction booklet needed to comprehensively enjoy the other console counterparts.

Outside of the general gameplay, SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 still delivers a very strong Wii effort considering it's the first WWE title of the system, and it's still only 40% finished. The general graphical presentation is pretty solid, already comparable to Day of Reckoning 2 for GameCube (better in some cases, worse in others), as it has a more complete environment at the sacrifice of some jaggies on character models. In general though, it's a solid first outing, and it houses some of the better character models we've seen on Wii thus far. The screens really don't do it justice, as the game definitely has an edge on some of the PS2 content we've seen thus far.

http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/802/802607/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070709052957508-000.jpg

Moving away from graphics, the game will also include all the venues and as many of the match types as possible (something Yukes is working hard to achieve for this ground-up effort on Wii), and includes the same robust create-a-wrestler feature as its console counterparts. In addition, many of the animations in the game are made specifically for Wii, while the others borrow from some pretty impressive mo-cap. The action is faster, the crowd and lighting effects are already very promising for being less than half finished, and its just plain fun to kick the crap out of people with Wii motion.

As a final note, SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 still has some room to grow, but already shows some serious promise. Things like the taunt system (pulled off by holding C and doing wrestler-specific motions) are already extremely entertaining, as you actually need to do Triple H's "suck it" motion or classic "You Can't See Me!" hand gesture of Cena to pull off taunts, and seeing the person physically do it in front of you certainly ups the competitive feel in the room a bit. In addition, some of the ground attacks or turnbuckle punches are pretty brutal as well, with Cena actually straddling a downed fighter and having each hand's swing convert directly into a punch, or the lifting of both hands to do a grab and head-butt, but we want to see more of that. 90% of the game's moves will be pulled off with motion control according to THQ, and we of course want to see as many of them as possible make full use of both controllers in a deep, entertaining way. As it stands right now, things like powerbombs or powerslams check only for Wii-mote gestures. It'd be far more intuitive and realistic to make use of both hands for the attack.

http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/802/802607/wwe-smackdown-vs-raw-2008-20070709052956742-000.jpg

Other than that, it's just about making sure the game is simple, but not overly-simplified. Things like grabbing weapons or pulling off finishers, for example, can only be done at specific times. In the case of a finisher it's normal, as previous SmackDown vs. Raw games require you to build up finisher icons in order to pull them off, but it's even more specific in the Wii version. After enough damage on the other player you'll have the chance to pull off a power move (which would be something like the five-knuckle shuffle for Cena), which then, and only then gives way to the match-ending finisher (the FU or Pedigree, for example). Yes, it makes the game more streamlined, but combine things like that with the limitations on grabs and strikes and you start to go down a slippery slope. SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 for Wii is definitely a game with tons of promise; it just needs to walk that line between being "pick-up and play" friendly and still having the depth necessary for a true WWE wrestling game. The motions are fun, the game is fast, and we had a blast playing it. Now we just want to see the design expanded a bit.

As a final teaser of more to come, THQ has allowed us to unveil ten WWE superstars already confirmed for the Wii-specific brawler. They are:

Undertaker
Kane
Triple H
Bobby Lashley
John Cena
Chris Masters
Randy Orton
Rey Mysterio
Jeff Hardy
Sandman

We'll have more to come as development continues, so be sure to keep checking back to IGN Wii for the latest in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 news and media. Oh, and we'll see you March 30 in Orlando, Florida, for Wrestlemania 24.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

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[Dark-Slicer Diago]

There is also an Insider video for Disturbed and other Insiders.

[Lux]

Fuckin right new RKO, i'm interested in seeing the redone moves, espeically the RKO but the tombstone piledriver sounds intreging to hmmmmmm

[Disturbed316]

WOOOOOOOO NEW RKO

:love::love::love:

The video is just an interview with Corey, basically saying things that were said in the article.

Oh and the Wii version looks pretty nasty :nono:

[KingofOldSchool]

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yF3VDuHDbR0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yF3VDuHDbR0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TvHqeDsFFNc"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TvHqeDsFFNc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8utPqp8CbjM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8utPqp8CbjM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

Triple Jump Moonsault :love:

JBL Commentary :love:

JBL saying the same stuff Tazz did last year :nono:

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Nice find King. Btw, how do you embed like that?

[KingofOldSchool]

Nice find King. Btw, how do you embed like that?

It'll give a code next to the video where you can just copy and paste.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Oh, thanks.

[James Steele]

Sandman's entrance was way better than I expected. The fighting style thing looks really promising in that preview, but if it ends up crippling the move selections like weight classes did in SvR07 then it isn't worth it.

[D Mac]

So wait King and JR are going to say the exact same shit? Maybe it's just early and they are going to record some new commentary later.

[D Mac]

That's pretty cool that on the enterances it shows the opponent in the ring looking on.

[Disturbed316]

WTF is up with Rey's mask :wtf:

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>:| @ JBL using all the same lines Tazz has. I'm guessing that's just so that Cole didn't have to do new commentary. It might, however, mean that Tazz will have a whole new set of lines to go along with Joey Styles.

Sandman's entrance :cool:

I was thinking the roster might be announced in full soon...but then I checked last year and realized it wasn't announced till September 4th.</font> :o

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Odd thought:

By all means, Deuce and Domino and Cade and Murdoch SHOULD be in.

But looking at the past 3 years, both sets of tag champs have NEVER been fully included.</font> :o

[CSL]

<font color=white>This has probably been seen since I haven't been keeping up to speed with what's going on. I was quite impressed however. Mother fucking conchairto.</font>

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[Extreme Angle]

Lol that video is old :D

[KingofOldSchool]

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6743/img005pv7.jpg

Look in the Info Byte section.

[Disturbed316]

oooooooooh

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I just bought HCTP and DOR2 again for £1 each.

Forgot how much those both rocked compared to newer Smackdown games :(

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6743/img005pv7.jpg

Look in the Info Byte section.

I'm presuming that will be on Live as well :D

[Mike the Metal Ed]

I'm presuming that will be on Live as well :D

...and Wii Wa... who am I kidding? :'(

[What Would Kevin Do?]

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6743/img005pv7.jpg

Look in the Info Byte section.

Fucking brillant. Thank you god.

I wonder if they'll have downloadable moves then too...

[Extreme Angle]

Wayhay downloadable superstars :D
dunno if anybody knows this but they are having flaming tables in hardcore matches aswell :D

[D Mac]

Downloadable superstars. One down, now they need to announce custom music.

[The Fugitive]

To be honest, I'm indifferent on the downloadable superstars. Just give me my custom music and I'll be happy.

[Extreme Angle]

theyd be stupid not 2

[D Mac]

Well they've been stupid before. :(

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

<object width="425"height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K-lsmAJPdm8"></param><param name="wmode"value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K-lsmAJPdm8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"width="425"height="350"></embed></object>

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

<object width="425"height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BwFdLBRmcCY"></param><param name="wmode"value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BwFdLBRmcCY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425"height="350"></embed></object>

[Gerard]

Im willing to bet that downloadable superstars bit is a translation error or something. If they were to do that most people wouldn't bother buying the yearly new game.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Im willing to bet that downloadable superstars bit is a translation error or something. If they were to do that most people wouldn't bother buying the yearly new game.

They will once they cut it off for the new version.

[KingofOldSchool]

They will once they cut it off for the new version.

Or they add new stuff in 09 that won't be in 08.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Like HH said, there will probably be a cut off for for people. If anything, it'll probably be used to add new people who came out after the original cutoff date. So basically people who debuted from after WM to around October.

[KingofOldSchool]

I think Deuce and Domino won't make the initial release, but will both DLC.

[chrisat928]

I think it will mostly be classic superstars and peoples custom CAWs, that they upload to the Marketplace and PSN.

Whatever it ends up being, they better be free.

[KingofOldSchool]

It won't be custom wrestlers, that would be fucking stupid.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Whatever it ends up being, they better be free.

Doubtful

[timby]

It won't be custom wrestlers, that would be fucking stupid.

There'd be a huge legal issue there. If THQ were to release a CAW Bret Hart or Raven or Owen Hart or whatever (just as an example), that'd be a big problem. So you're left with random user-created CAWs that have ... zero emotional impact with the player.

[D Mac]

To keep this thread alive right now...

Who's enterances are you looking forward to seeing?

MVP - Probably will have him coming out of that "tunnel"

Batista - Mostly for the machine gun pyro. Hope it's more realistic then 2007's

Kennedy - Last year's was awesome, wonder if they'll improve.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I wanna see MVP's too, and I hope for Kennedy's, they give him a few alternate lines for his entrances (kinda like they had different Matt Facts for Matt Hardy on whatever game that was). Also, I wanna see if they gave Edge his new pyro. The Sandman's entrance should be fun, too.

[KingofOldSchool]

London and Kendrick (well assuming they're in the game)- they should come out with masks and all

[Xero]

Like ABT said, I hope they record a few different Kennedy ones. Where the weight changes slightly (263 and two thirds pounds!) or where he randomly tells the crowd to shut up. Doubt it though.

[Skippord]

I wont both of Triple H's themes in it

[D Mac]

You won't? Why wont you?

[Skippord]

I dont even know how that happened

they arent even close at all

[MTH15]

Any word on the new matches?

[Drakul]

The Official Nintendo Magazine has a bunch of pages about the Wii version if anyone wants a scan/run down of stuff.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

We wish we could tell you we played as someone other than the Sandman when we got out grubby paws on WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 at San Diego Comic-Con, but that would be a lie.

If you're too young -- or too mainstream -- you might not remember how awesome the ECW of old was. There were people diving off scaffoldings, Mike Awesome throwing Masato Tanaka from the ring through a table and onto the concrete and ladies that weren't afraid to get hit with steel chairs.

It was like 300 in a bingo hall.

Anyway, Sandman. Today, in front of the dozens -- and dozens -- of fans at the THQ booth, we took the ECW original into a hardcore match with Rey Mysterio. We thought about being one of the other superstars -- this build featured John Cena, Kane, Randy Orton, Triple H, Undertaker, Bobby Lashley, Chris Masters and Jeff Hardy -- but it's about time Sandman got some videogame love. The guy was only featured in a couple crappy Acclaim games. He faked being blind for an angle -- give him his spotlight, you Cena fans!

So, if you're reading this, you're obviously a WWE fan and have probably read IGN's in-depth overview from a few weeks ago. In it, the article said the Sandman smashes a beer can on his head and enters from the crowd.

Friends, that ain't the half of it.

As the Sandman's theme kicks up, the main man walks into the audience from a side door with his Singapore cane in one hand and a beer in the other. He swigs the beer, slams the can repeatedly into his head and then spews the frothy beverage into the air. From there he marches through the impressively animated and detailed crowd, and the fans go nuts. He pushes past the throngs of folks -- some holding signs proclaiming that they're diva search rejects -- climbs onto the black barricade and hoists his cane into the air.

That's how you make an entrance.

Rey's introduction is equally as impressive. His music hits, the camera pans the cheering audience and then the highflier pops up from the depths of the stage. As a purple lightshow goes nuts in the arena, Rey runs around whipping the fans into a frenzy and then slides into the ring to share the spotlight with a scantily clad Lillian Garcia.

The bell rings, Sandman moves in and lands a solid kick to Rey's gut. From there, Sandman basically owns the cruiserweight. Superplexes, steel chair shots and submission moves follow qs Rey prays for death ... we're pretty sure THQ has dialed the difficulty down for its all-ages demo.

What was amazing for most of the first-timers stepping up to the control pad was how deep the controls were for being such a simple system. The left analog stick moves the wrestlers, the right analog stick performs simple grapples, run is controlled by holding a shoulder button and moving and submissions are now part of an analog-system where the person performing the move uses the stick to apply pressure and the opponent in pain tries to match the movements of an onscreen lock with the right analog stick to break the hold.

Picking up weapons, climbing in and out of the ring and performing strike maneuvers are all as easy as a single button press.

Although stunning visuals are expected from this generation, these guys still looked extremely impressive. From the sweat on Rey's chest to the tattoos on the Sandman, everything looked perfect -- even the fans holding up tired signs such as "I'm With Stupid" had animations for picking the poster board up from underneath their chairs and for putting it back.

Before we jumped into our slobber knocker with Rey and Sandy, we took a brief spin through the options in WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008. From the main menu was the jump-in-and-wrestle Quick Play, Exhibition, Create modes and online. The online option was blocked out, but the creation category had slots to build move sets, stables, superstars, entrances and championships.

More than 200 new items will be available for this year's superstar creation mode and will be spread out across several customizable categories -- including but not limited to head, face, facial hair, face paint and piercings.

Once we got into the match types, we found a number of the bouts blocked out but had the opportunity to choose from a normal fight, first blood, hardcore, ladder and last man standing. We chose hardcore, Sandman wailed on Rey with a steel chair, and in the end, the ECW original pounded a beer in celebration while his opponent writhed in pain in the background.

November can't get here soon enough.

credit - Greg Miller, ps3.ign.com

[MTH15]

This is gonna be sweet. Downloadable rosters (I think I hoped for that). Now all we need is online tournament. Like an online King of the Ring. I think in all games sweet online modes will be the future serious addictions. Just imagine the online mode for SD in like 3 years..but yea Im getting this for XMaS.

[Xero]

Like I've said before: They damn well better fix the online lag. If they do that I don't care what else they add or don't add.

[SammyG]

Definitely sounds awesome.

[Fignuts]

Gotta say, I'm really impressed at how real the wrestler animations look this time around.

Also, Conan loks incredible.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Jeff Hardy vs Bobby Lashley (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/22879.html) 360 version

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Looks pretty good. Biggest flaw I noticed was that Jeff went for a leg drop and Lashley's counter somehow had Jeff landing stomach-first on his knees...but they've had that in like every game.</font>

[Disturbed316]

It looks good, love the new chairshots, not liking the big blue bar though. I'm guessing thats the new momentum meter. It still sounds like the commentry is fucked, but then again it never was brilliant.

[Xero]

Looking good. The only glaring weakness was JBL's commentary. Pretty horrible, but it's still only his first game.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Why did they give JBL "Tazz's" commentary instead of giving him a new script to use, were they as lazy as usual in that aspect?

[Xero]

What they really should do is make them actually watch a game match (from the previous game I suppose) and let them ad-lib a bit while being fed lines like they do on TV. I think that would improve the quality of the commentary.

Obviously not everything would be recorded through it, but make them sit through and commentate, say, 30 matches and take samples from them.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

Xero, I think you on to something there, but THQ rarely listen to fan input in that regard.

[Lux]

Did i post on this page? nope

[D Mac]

Why did they give JBL "Tazz's" commentary instead of giving him a new script to use, were they as lazy as usual in that aspect?

Maybe they're just doing that for test and demo purposes. To record new shit later.