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GR is live from Tampa and this is what we saw.
The day started off bright and early at 8:00 am as both myself and Charles Shane went to get something to eat at the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Today we were heading out to visit the Florida Championship Wrestling training facility to check out this years WWE video game WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009. We were the very first group of people outside the WWE and it’s partners to visit the facility to take a close look at the future superstars in the industry.
The facility that FCW uses is simply state of the art. With 4 rings, it gives plenty of opportunity for the young superstars to learn their trade. The training staff at FCW consists of former WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman, The Big Wiggle Norman Smiley, Dr Tom Pritchard, Dusty the American Dream Rhodes and FCW owner Steve Keirn who for years made a name for his self in the wrestling buisness wrestling as characters like Skinner, he has also played Doink the Clown but perhaps his biggest success was part of the Fabulous ones with Sweet Stan Lane.
At the review event attended by media from across the country and elsewhere THQ gave a brief demonstration on why they felt this years game was truly the best fighting game released for this year. With a roster of over 60 characters, a robust story mode which features in my humble opinion perhaps the best wrestling game story mode seen to date. We had another chance to talk with THQ Creative manager Bryan Williams about this years game and his experience making this years game come to life. “I really believe honestly that this is the best Smackdown game that THQ has ever released.” Its hard to argue with him from what we have seen and played of the game while at the event. Everything has been improved from top to bottom in the title. Even the loading times which has always been a issue that has plagued the series in the past. THQ Senior Creative manager Cory Ledesma remarked, “With a over 60% decrease in loading times it is a remarkable improvement over (Smackdown vs Raw) 2008.
Fans played a huge part in the development of this game. One of the huge complaints last year was the somewhat limited roster in 2008. That has been improved tremendously this year. The create a finisher and highlight reel modes were all modes that fans of the long running series have asked for in their emails and passionate message board posts.
It is also very obvious that all of the THQ team behind the game are passionate wrestling fans. “The Yukes office is like a shrine to pro wrestling. There just as big fans of wrestling as we are here at THQ.” Bryan Williams remarked.
We also had a chance to check out the official commercial for this years game. The commercial which features WWE Superstars John Cena, HHH, Kelly Kelly, Hornswoggle and Batista. Gamingring.com will have a special announcement regarding the commercial in the very near future. In the mean time, look for the commercial to debut on WWE Television this coming Monday.
Also attending the review event was WWE Superstars Johnny Swagger, Randy Orton, and the WWE Womens Champion Beth Phoenix. I had a chance to talk with Randy about this years game. “I am really impressed how well they captured my character this year. They nailed all of the little details with the way I walk and the facial animations.” Beth Phoenix who makes her WWE Smackdown vs Raw video game debut this year added “I thought it was really interesting working so closely with THQ to get my character just right. With the outfits, and my signature moves they (THQ) did an excellent job with me.”
Here is the upcoming interviews and videos we have in store for you.
Dusty The American Dream Rhodes Interview In this interview we talk with the American Dream about his son Cody Rhodes, his thoughts on having the opportunity to work with the young upcoming talent in FCW. Him creating Starcade and the Great American Bash. We also talk about what makes Texas such a great hotbed of wrestling talent.
FCW Talent demonstration featuring Kizarny, the FCW Divas and a tag team match between TJ Wilson and Harry Smith which reminded me very much of the classic British Bulldogs taking on current FCW tag team champions Joe Hennig and Sebastion Slater. Joe Hennig is the son of WWE hall of famer Curt Mr Perfect Hennig and from what I saw of this match, he is going to make it big in the WWE.
Bryan Williams Interview: In this interview we talk about what fans should expect this year from the game which character that they should use first. We also talk about his average work day and if he ever takes vacations
Randy Orton Interview: In this interview we talk about his current issues with WWE GM Mike Adamale, his new tattoos, and what is next for the blue eyed killer.
Beth Phoenix Interview: In this interview we talk about her current relationship with Santino Marella, her future aspirations as WWE Womens Champion and how she feels she ranks among the other WWE Womens Champions.
We will have all of the videos and interviews from the event, which all leads up to our official review of the game on November 9th 2008. The wait is almost over and you wont want to miss one second here at Gamingring.com Be sure to check back for more coverage as we roll down to the release of WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009.
credit - GamingRing.com
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