here are some new pics of Smackdown vs Raw from gamespy.com while we wait for the ign info
posted at 9:15pm eastern
and here is the IGN info posted at 10:04pm eastern
We had some strong and positive reactions to our all-encompassing WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW Overload informational piece earlier this week, but are glad to report that THQ has updated us with even more of the good stuff for today. Listed below in simple to read bullet point format, this newly discovered news not only reveals the answer to several of your burning questions, but also shows you the power of yours, the consumer voice -- as one of the features previously announced as non-existent has now been implemented to make the people happy. What feature is it? You'll just have to read on to find out.
As a quick reminder before you begin, however, don't forget to check the media page below for five brand new screenshots of stars like Stacy Kiebler, Evolution, and the Heartbreak Kid. Enjoy!
The first bit of significant news today is that THQ has decided to allow players to control legends during season mode after all. It was definitely a sore spot for gamers when we announced it to be otherwise earlier this week, so the revelation that you'll be able to play with personalities such as Legend Undertaker during the season is one that naysayers are sure to appreciate. Keep in mind, however, that in order to use them, you'll need to unlock them first. Additionally, THQ is still unsure as to whether or not legends will be mixed in with regular opponents over the course of a given season like last year, or if they'll only be available as a player-controlled character.
Users will be able to enjoy any match type they want in the Create-A-PPV mode and will not be restricted to a specific set of bouts (with a maximum of eight matches per event). Additionally, user-created belts can only be defended in the Create-A-PPV option and cannot be defended during standard exhibition matches (though, since Create-A-PPV is essentially a collection of exhibition matches anyway, it's close enough).
Evolution rules RAW
Speaking of Create-A-Belt, THQ revealed additional tidbits as to how it works and what its purpose is. To put it simply, it's a great way to unlock the game's many bonuses -- be they hidden characters, outfits, or whatever. To use them in the best way possible, simply defend your created belt during the PPV matches to add a prestige value. This prestige value continues to rise the more successful you are, and you can eventually sell it back to the game to reap a dollar value for use in the Shopzone.
Oh and one final tidbit on Create-A-Belts: yes, you can defend them against human players who can then save them to their own memory cards, and no, you can't import created titles into the season mode.
Specificities pertaining to the heel/face mechanic were elaborated on. Officially known as the "Dirty/Clean" mechanic, players will be able to wrestle in an exact style that rewards them for their alignment towards either discipline. If you're a heel, for instance, you'll be able to build your dirty meter up by performing evil deeds. Arguing with the referee, breaking off the turnbuckle, holding submissions after the break, and taunting from the arena floor all count as dirty meter builders. Once the meter is built all the way up, players will be able to pull off illegal strikes like eye pokes, low blows, and brass knuckles without penalties.
Similarly, wrestlers aligned as heels get bonuses too Their Clean meter is built by fighting clean, playing to the crowd, using signature grapples, performing high-flying moves, and taunting inside the ring. Once their meter has been built all the way up, they'll be privy to temporary invincibility. Nice!
THQ has incorporated an all-new baseball slide maneuver this year that allows you to attack ringside opponents from inside the ring. There have been similar moves to this before, of course, but this particular one has never been used before.
The submission system will utilize two meters this year. The first is the same tug-of-war submission from last year (that works on the same button-tapping mechanic), while the second will appear for reversible submissions. Entirely timing based and only applicable for things like leglocks and armbars, the reversal meter should add a little more strategy to the typical grappling setup.
The online mode still hasn't be solidified yet and final word as to whether or not it makes the final build is still dependant on the results of Sony's online beta test. Unfortunately for fans hoping to get in, the window to join the beta test is long since closed and SCEA is not accepting any more applicants.
Four new wrestlers were confirmed as part of the lineup: Rico (who we already knew about but forgot to list last time), Edge, Renee Dupree, and JBL (that's Bradshaw for those of you not in the loop). The roster so far is listed in the table below (though it is still not complete).
current roster
A-Train
Batista
The Big Show
Booker T
Bubba Ray Dudley
Charlie Haas
Chavo Guerrero
Chris Benoit
Chris Jericho
Christian
Chuck Palumbo
D-Von Dudley
Eddie Guerrero
Edge
Garrison Cade
John Bradshaw Layfield
John Cena
Kane
Kurt Angle
Mark Jindrak
Matt Hardy
Randy Orton
Rene Dupree
Rey Mysterio
Rhyno
Ric Flair
Rico
Rikishi
Rob Van Dam
Scotty 2 Hotty
Shawn Michaels
Shelton Benjamin
Stacy Kiebler
Tajiri
Torrie Wilson
Triple H
Trish Stratus
Legends
Andre the Giant
Legend Kane
Legend Undertaker
As you can see from the table above, the pair of legends previously known as old-school Undertaker and old-school Kane will now officially be called Legend Undertaker and Legend Kane. No other legends have yet been revealed.
That's all we have for now folks. Don't forget to check our media page below for some brand new screenshots and check back with us again tomorrow for even more images (though you may have already seen tomorrow's screens elsewhere in previous locations. But at least we're completists!). See you again real soon.
