WWE '12 Thread

Jim Ross stated on his official website today that a "major announcement" will be made Tuesday concerning THQ's annual WWE video game series, SmackDown vs. Raw.

"Arguably the biggest news to date from WWE on the video game front," Ross wrote.

The announcement is that the title of the annual WWE video game, SmackDown vs. RAW, will cease to exist. The rumored new name of the game is WWE '12, a year that will change annually.

THQ made the decision to change the title of the game because they felt the SmackDown vs. Raw title no longer fit the product due to WWE rendering the "brand wars" inconsequential. This also explains WWE ceasing the pay-per-view event Bragging Rights. While the event drew poorly both years, it was kept to help promote the annual release of SmackDown vs. Raw.

Makes sense, although it's just a name I hope the game offers more this year

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JoeyStyles Joey Styles
#WWE and THQ's "WWE '12" unveiled! PHOTOS: http://bit.ly/joZ9n6

Unsurprisingly it looks like they've taken the John Cena from All Stars and put him straight in this game...

http://vids.wwe.com/12160/randy-orton-graces-the-cover-of

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As reported earlier, the "major announcement" that Jim Ross teased on Monday regarding the future of WWE video games has been revealed. WWE and THQ have announced that the "SmackDown vs. RAW" series is being retired in favor of annual "WWE" releases. The first installment, WWE 12, will be released this fall.

The game's tagline, which is straight from the "New WWE" marketing playbook, is "Biggger, Badder, Better."

The new WWE '12 video game will be released in North America on November 22nd of this year and in the UK on November 25th for all major platforms.

The following is an excerpt from IGN.com's preview of the game:

"For years WWE SmackDown vs. Raw has been the Sports Entertainment simulation series from THQ and Yuke's Yokohama. It's been a fun ride, but as with any franchise, fans have complained about annual aspects over and over again. Turns out the developers were listening, killed the series, and are planning on fixing things with WWE '12.

The stiff animations, the characters warping into place for certain moves, the confusing right analog stick controls for grapples -- WWE '12 is addressing all of that and feels good so far. That's pretty damn exciting.

Now, it would be easy to glance at screenshots and assume THQ and developer Yuke's Yokohama just dumped the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw name and called it a day. That's what I did. For a few days leading into my meeting, THQ had been telling me this game was going to be unlike any other WWE game I had seen, but when I finally laid eyes on it, WWE '12 sure did look similar to WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011.

Then, I started to play it. THQ and Yuke's didn't just change the name, they changed the game's DNA. There's a new animation system, new blending methods, something called "Predator Technology" -- basically, they went under the game's hood and ripped out all the old stuff that people hated and plugged in brand new parts to try and make the most fluid wrestling game around.

When John Cena's suplexing an opponent, a third Superstar can punch Cena and break up the move. You can do that for any move -- even Finishers and mini-games like the Royal Rumble eliminations. When you're slammed to the mat at the beginning of a bout, you're going to sell the move and get up at the same time so that the match keeps a fast-paced feel. When you're getting up from any move, you're going to have a window to strike before you're even to your feet. The goal is to have a game that feels like anything can happen from any position and eradicate that stiffness and clunkiness that has always been a calling card of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw.

For me, it all came together watching a three-man match. Orton laid out an opponent and went to the ring apron, Cena immediately started his 5-Knuckle Shuffle routine on the downed man, and as Cena was coming down, Randy Orton launched himself from the apron to land a splash. Orton hit, Cena hit, and Orton hit again. The sequence was polished and fast -- it looked like a spot from ECW of old. There was no blown animation as the character on the ground reacted to the first move and ignored the other.

People don't warp to the center of the ring for a 5-Knuckle Shuffle and similar moves anymore; the move happens where it happens. The ropes no longer stay awkwardly still during matches; you slam someone and the ring reacts. The tired fonts and menus of old have been ditched for a new setup. Visually, new shaders and tech have been introduced to make the game look better than ever. There's definition to the character's faces instead of the blur there was last year, and depth of field has been introduced to give the brand new arenas weight and realism.

The game, according to THQ, has been taken apart and put back together, and from the little I've seen, I believe them -- though the changes aren't monumental when you stare at a still image, they shine in motion.

Seeing the game in motion is where the proof of all these Predators and shaders lives. I've already talked about how the moves flow together, but there's more to it than that. The days of analog stick grapples are over. Now, everything's going back to the face buttons of your favorite controller. Grapple, strike, pin and Finisher are all right there for the taking. There are no strong and weak grapples -- the moves you're pulling off are dependent on how worn down the opponent is.

That's all well and good, but there are specific things THQ has peppered in that affect the gameplay. First, there's limb targeting in WWE '12. You can attack the head, arms or legs, and while this obviously puts you in a good place for certain finishers, it also really twists the match in whatever direction you want it to go. If you're up against a lightning quick high flier, you can work the legs so the opponent can't get around as quickly and can't zip up the turnbuckles. Work the head, and the opponent is going to be a groggy mess. All this plays into how easy it'll be to get an opponent to tap in the new "Breaking Point" submission system where players tap buttons in a tug of war mini-game.

Epic brawls are going to look like the epic brawls you see on TV -- both in terms of the new camera angle that's more pulled back and the gameplay speed I talked about earlier -- but they get even more like Monday Night Raw when you add in the new Wake Up Taunts in WWE '12. Basically, you know how Randy Orton pounds the ground before he goes to hit his Finisher on TV? That can happen in the game now. You knock your opponent down with your Finisher primed, hit the taunt button, and you'll get a celebration that ends with the opponent getting to his feet in the perfect setup for your big move. The opponent gets a chance at reversing it, but it really brings together that TV style presentation THQ's been working on for the last few years.

That said, I thought the stamina bar was a bit of a step backwards in WWE '12. The last few WWE SmackDown vs. Raw games incorporated a barely visible halo around the Superstars feet to keep players in-tune with how they're doing in a match and not distract from the presentation. As of now, WWE '12 features a big meter with a name on it at the bottom of the screen showing how close you are to building a Signature or Finisher (you can store two Finishers). I found it jarring as the game looks better than ever and is trying so hard to mimic broadcasts.

Still, that's the only gripe I have with the new direction. WWE '12 also adds Dynamic Comebacks, which are those tried and true combos you see folks like Cena throw out that take them from the edge of defeat to clearing the ring. If you reach a certain amount of damage, you'll be able to have a shot to use this one-time combo. Pull it off, and you get two Finishers.

These stored Finishers and Dynamic Comebacks make it seem like my friends and I are going to have some awesome matches, but THQ and Yuke's want you to have awesome matches with computer-controlled opponents, too. The AI learns this time around. If you spam run attacks like I do (I'm infamous on the Internet for my floatover DDT), the computer opponent is supposed to recognize that and be ready to counter it. For the first time, THQ says that the computer is going to remember what you've been doing and what it's been doing. (i.e. if it picks up a chair, it's not going to drop it -- it's going to hit you with it.)

Balancing the difficulty isn't just a focus when it comes to the man versus machine matches. THQ found that people figured out how to master the pinning system pretty quickly in SVR 11, so it's been redone in WWE '12. It's still a metered system (hold a button to fill a meter and release it when it gets to a window on the meter), but the window moves around this time at random -- it won't always be in the same spot. Similarly, the window size varies on how beat up you are, and if you're pinned after the opponent hits his Finisher, the meter might not pop up to the two-count so you'd only have one shot at it. "

source : http://nodq.com/wwe/308872108.shtml

All sounded great until it said about the 'new Breaking Point submissions' where you have to bash buttons.

think it the name change is 1 because breaking point has & 2 to draw people in to it making them think they've changed things

Bragging Rights

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Names currently confirmed for the new WWE '12 video game are Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, John Cena and Randy Orton. Ring announcer Justin Roberts and commentators Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler are also confirmed. Ricardo Rodriguez is also confirmed for the game as he's featured in Del Rio's entrance.

It sounds like the game will also feature Legends as The Road Warriors and The Rock are heavily rumored but not confirmed.

More footage and details on WWE '12 will be released at the E3 convention next week. THQ will unveil the WWE '12 demo next week at the convention and then release it online.

WWE and THQ's Cory Ledesma noted on Twitter that gameplay related features will be revealed at E3 but details on other game modes and features won't be released until August.

Cory also confirmed that WWE '12 will only be released on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii. The game won't be released on PSP or any other consoles.

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THQ REVEALS A BIGGER, BADDER AND BETTER WWE VIDEOGAME EXPERIENCE
WITH DEBUT OF WWE® ’12 AT ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EXPO

Iconic and Authentic WWE Simulation Franchise Set to Deliver Core Gameplay Improvements and Most Extensive Feature Set to Date Through Visceral, Edgy and Polished Presentation

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - June 1, 2011 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced development of WWE® ’12, the electrifying rebirth of the renowned WWE flagship videogame franchise. Featuring a bigger game, badder presentation and better simulation-based gameplay, WWE ’12 will include long-awaited and critical core gameplay improvements, the most creative and extensive feature set to date and a visceral, edgy and polished presentation. WWE ’12 is currently in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Wii™ system from Nintendo, with a scheduled release timing of November 2011 in UK.

“With vital changes to core gameplay, innovative feature support and an incredibly striking presentation, the WWE simulation experience is back with WWE ’12,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. “At E3 2011, this is the definitive WWE videogame experience you do not want to miss.”

WWE ’12 will be playable for the first time at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), booth #2001 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, from June 7-9, 2011. In addition, prominent WWE personalities are slated to attend E3 in support of the new WWE ’12 experience. WWE Superstar Alberto Del Rio™ and WWE Diva Kelly Kelly® are currently scheduled to appear on Tuesday, June 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., while WWE Superstar The Miz® is currently scheduled to appear on Wednesday, June 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. All talent appearances are subject to change.

About WWE ’12
WWE ’12 will offer players the opportunity to engage in the WWE experience through the new Predator Technology™ dynamic gameplay system, which is poised to deliver the most fluid, dynamic, authentic and action-packed WWE simulation experience to date. Included are the new Breaking Point submission system, new Attributes and control layout as well as significant improvements to other key gameplay systems, including Momentum and Stamina. WWE Universe Mode 2.0 will generate new and more impactful elements of unpredictability based on player decisions, while dynamic visual changes to gameplay presentation, including new animations, camera positions, lighting and improved rendering, will set the tone for delivering an exceptional simulation of WWE programming.

WWE ’12 will feature the franchise’s best-in-class creation suite, enabling players to develop and customize their own Superstars, entrances, finishing moves, storylines, Highlight Reels and other all-new capabilities to be announced later this year. As well, the popular Road to WrestleMania® Mode will enable players to explore compelling new storylines and major gameplay improvements. WWE ’12 will also boast one of the largest rosters of WWE Superstars, WWE Divas and WWE Legends in franchise history, including cover Superstar Randy Orton, John Cena, The Miz and the debuting Alberto Del Rio.

For more information about WWE ’12, please visit wwe.thq.com, facebook.com/WWEgames and twitter.com/WWEgames

Wow they gone overboard with that cover as they have fitted far too much on it... not!!

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Roddy Piper, Kelly Kelly and Alberto Del Rio were at E3 yesterday with THQ unveiling the new WWE '12 video game. The Miz and WWE/THQ's Cory Ledesma will be on IGN and G4 TV today to show off some gameplay footage.

Miz is great on these i always remember him on the draft

ha Ricardo Rodriguez is in it.

http://www.g4tv.com/videos/53559/wwe-12-e3-gameplay-demo/

This is Miz at E3

Update on WWE 12

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The marketing slogan for the new brand is Bigger, Badder, Better ...

THQ has taken away the use of the right stick for wrestling moves and have brought back the face buttons as the main focus of the wrestling action. The list of controls:

A- Grapple
B- Irish Whip/Pin
X- Striking
Y- Finishers
LB- Action Button
RB- “New” Limb Targeting System
LT- Running
RT- Counters
DPad- Taunts
LS-Move
RS- Switching Opponents Position
LT+RT- Dragging Opponent

For those fans who have been playing the WWE Smackdown vs Raw video games, THQ promises it will be easy to get accustomed to these new controls rather quickly. Of course,if you prefer, you can switch back to last year's controls, but why not go with innovative and progress?

There's also the new “Breaking Point” submission system. THQ has created a virtual mini-game in which you and your opponent mash the face buttons or move the joysticks as the word “Breaking Point” fills up. If it fills up, your character will submit. Bye bye playa. Or player! You will also have the ability to drag your body towards the ropes to try and execute a rope break. Of course, the opponent has until 5 to break.

So far, the new game and branding have been met with stellar reviews. And when the original legend of the Octagon Royce Gracie endorses your product, you know you're onto something special.

picked up 11 cos I hadnt had a wrestling game for a few years and will probably be tempted to get 12. But it shows how much star power wwe had then. Confused me a bit as I had no clue who the heels were. Crowd cheering mark henry and booing y2j lol

http://www.justin.tv/wwegames/b/292519967

Skip to around 28 minutes in for when it starts.

I watched it live yesterday. It looks like a very good game. Also like that they have Punks new entrance.

For Monday Night Raw: John Cena, John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, Husky Harris, Santino Marella, David Otunga, Evan Bourne, Goldust, Zack Ryder, Mason Ryan, Triple H, The Miz, Alex Riley, Alberto Del Rio, Rey Mysterio, Michael McGuillicuty, Big Show, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Mr. McMahon, CM Punk

For Friday Night SmackDown!: Ted DiBiase, Mark Henry, William Regal, Daniel Bryan, Tyson Kidd, Sheamus, Cody Rhodes, Kane, Yoshi Tatsu, Jack Swagger, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, The Undertaker, Christian, Sin Cara, Ezekiel Jackson, Wade Barrett, Randy Orton

Divas: Eve, Natayla, Maryse, Layla, Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly

Legends: Stone Cold Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, Ricky Steamboat, Road Warrior Hawk, Road Warrior Animal, Vader, Kevin Nash, Booker T, Eddie Guerrero, Demolition Smash, Demolition Axe, Edge, The Rock (If You Pre-Order WWE 12)