E3 2007 wasn’t too long ago, and there were a LOT of big names that showed up. Aside from the Halo 3’s and the Metal Gear Solid’s making an appearance, one game that really piqued my interest was a new old game from THQ. They were the previous developers of UFC: Tapout and UFC: Tapout 2, the first receiving very admirable reviews, while the second receiving less-than-desirable reviews for not pushing the envelope and keeping gameplay generally the same as its predecessor. They promptly stopped the series and left the niche-crowd (including myself) at a loss. But, low and behold, with the rising success of UFC and mixed-martial-arts in general, they’ve revived the title from the grave, and the trailer looks great!
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21750.html
The big question for me is, can this be the next Fight Night? That may seem like a very optimistic question, seeing as how Fight Night is one of EA’s best-selling games, is one of my favorite games, and not to mention, is developed by *the* largest gaming company in the world. Having said that, the UFC 2009 trailer left me with a Fight-Night’ish taste in my mouth, and that’s a good thing. The character movements were smooth, the fighters looked great, and they even had the face deformations that made Fight Night so realistic! Also, UFC has been dominating the Pay-Per-View grounds where boxing events once reigned. Alright. So the graphics are great, the industry has momentum, but there are two other big factors that will come into play that we won’t yet know about until the game’s release…gameplay and depth.
Gameplay can easily and obviously make or break the game. When I say gameplay, I mean how does the controller *control* the fighter? In previous titles in the series, it was the standard controls for any game…thumbsticks move and look, buttons punch and kick. But what we’ve learned from Fight Night is the thumbsticks can be used in much more realistic and entertaining ways…left-thumbstick left hand, right-thumbstick right hand. Now imagine THQ taking some of EA’s vision and applying it to UFC 2009. Left-thumbstick left-hand, right-thumbstick right hand, trigger-left-thumbstick left foot, trigger-right-thumbstick, right foot! This opens up a whole new can of worms for fight simulation games, but I don’t know if THQ has the experience or a developer-pool deep enough to implement this, at least not for it’s first release back.
The second factor is depth. For any fans out there, mixed-martial-arts is far from simple. I am a big enthusiast and have been following the sport for a long time, and I am STILL learning the moves. Put simply, if they make the game too deep and technical, the average joe-schmoe watches-ufc-for-fun player won’t enjoy the game. Almost a little like popping in Madden for the first time…it’s intimidating and almost not enjoyable for the first little while. But on the flip-side, if they make the game too simple, they will lose interest from the target-audience, i.e. the UFC and fight-fans out there.
In short, when I think if UFC 2009 can be the next Fight Night, I think no…not YET. But, I think that the series CAN be…possibly after a few more title releases :)
*Update: It looks like Cage Potato has found some info on the release date for the game! According to this post, we can expect to hear an official release announcement at UFC 84 slated for May 24th, 2008. Yeesh, if this is right, then we probably won't get our hands on the game until at least the end of the year, or beginning of next year :s
Charles
UFC 2009
I for one believe that it could be the first fighting game that everyone can get into. As long as they take there time and do the game right with a hit such as the UFC if its not done right they could very well kill this type of fighting game for ever.
Don't know yet
I don’t know what too think yet, but im very exited and optimistic about this realease! However my hopes arent up yet. But its about time someone took this sport seriously and made an attempt too really make this come to life. But then again there was some hype when EA decided to make an attempt at the AFL (arena football league) come to life and that was terrible! I hope they make UFC 09 into a madden based game… yah know trainning, carreer modes ect… i hope they get the liscenced to desighn propper areanas and fighters and allso propper commentary from joe rogan himslef maybe… this might be there last shot too take advantage of the upriseing UFC sport and i can only hope they FINALLY step up too the challenge!!!
I think THQ can do it
I think THQ can do it. If you remember back they put out some of the best wrestling games to date. They have the experience and personnel to get it done. I agree with Charles though. It may take a couple of games for them to really conquer the masses with this game if they are even able to do it. I am really wishful for this game. I was thoroughly disappointed with the previous two UFC installments but those were basically built on old wrestling engines and MMA fighting is way too deep for that. A new engine must be utilized. All I ask for is fluid and fun fighting. Sure, I would love customizable characters, superb near photo realistic graphics and super deep career mode but the game will be made or broken on the striking, ground and pound and submission systems. Hopefully they pull through and stun us all.
Definitely!
Hi Eric, you’re right. THQ definitely did put out some great wrestling games in the past (I’m thinking WWE - Day of Reckoning and WWE - Smackdown vs RAW), but you hit the nail on the head. Those game engines and probably a lot of those game assets are for a beast of a different nature and likely not a great port to MMA. The game engine particularly for the whole Smackdown series has proven to be strong for the genre, but even though there is a significant wrestling aspect to MMA, there’s a whole lot missing from that engine as well (e.g. striking and submissions). Anyways, I have high hopes and I’m with you…I hope they stun us all :)
Firstly, they(THQ)
Firstly, they(THQ) wouldn’t likely instill a “Left-thumbstick left-hand, right-thumbstick right hand, trigger-left-thumbstick left foot, trigger-right-thumbstick, right foot!” control scheme as you can’t move. Now, in your opponents guard, a Leftstick-lefthand, Rightstick-righthand control would work for both, trying to control the others wrists and reining down/up blows on each other while keeping free buttons/triggers for defense, elbows, submission attempts, moving the other fighter to the cage, etc. Also you fear they may not have the personnel/experience to impart the game with FN controls, I assure you they could figure that out if that’s what they’re going towards. The MOCAP technology( I only assume it is) they utilize is fantastic, anyone who watches Chuck Liddell and Quinton Jackson fight can recognize the nuances there. And I may be one of those Joe-Schmoe’s you mention, who watches the sport for fun–but thats opposed to what, actually fighting in a cage! What’s YOUR record champ! My point is that the UFC and videogames are for fun to 99% of people–we can’t all be career gamers like you! From what I saw THQ knows what it’s doing. I didn’t see Liddell going for a omoplata or something that would be out of character–if they keep focusing on what they seem to be doing–great graphics, smooth transitions, and DEPTH!!!, as much as they can fit!!!
Why so angry?!
Woah woah, what’s with all the hostility?! I’m not proposing THE end-all control-scheme for UFC 2009, nor am I bashing THQ. All I’m doing is speculating as to whether UFC 2009 can reach the caliber of fighting game as Fight Night. THQ makes fantastic games and all, but they are trying to re-introduce a game that was rocky at best in previous releases, and I’m just comparing it with one of my other favorite games in the genre, Fight Night. And when I say that I doubt if THQ can put in all of the resources that EA can, trust me, I know what I’m talking about. EA is THE largest game developer in the WORLD. Their MOCAP studio located in Canadian head office is actually one of the largest of its kind in North America, and I’m even including MOCAP studios in Hollywood! I’m not disputing that THQ makes great games, but they are NOT EA. In fact, year after year, EA tops the worlds best game developer lists. Not to mention that THQ is under a third the size of EA, 2000 employees versus over 7000 for EA.
And, as for you asking me what fights I’ve accomplished, you’re taking this waaay too personally. I’m a fan of the sport, and yes, a practitioner, but I don’t expect everyone out there to be belts in jiu-jitsu. But there is a fine line between giving the game depth, and complicating it too much.
Anyways, looks to me like we have a THQ fanboy here. Thanks for reading anyways. Maybe you should try another site.
release date?
does any one know when the game is going to be released????????????
if you know when the game is being released drop a line for every one to count down the days till all these questions are anwsered.
I don't know, but neither does THQ
Unfortunately, I don't know when the next installment of UFC will be released. On the official site for the game on THQ.com, there is a perpetual "Release Date: Coming Soon". But, according to IGN, the contract between THQ and Zuffa LLC was signed almost exactly a year ago (January 16th, 2007). This gives me a hopeful timeline of sometime later this year or early next year. I guess the best thing to do it just keep an eye on the official site and wait for a date :p
http://thq.com/games/gameinfo.php?id=1284
Looks like we'll know by the end of May
I've just read on Cage Potato that we should expect to hear an official release date announcement during UFC 84, scheduled for May 24th of this year. Seems like a loooong time in the making. I just hope that they've taken advantage of it :)
Looks good...
This looks to be good. I hope there's a wide variety of martial art styles to choose from. Can't wait to play.
i believe if the gameplay
i believe if the gameplay can be like the trailer this will be the best fighting game ever made
I can only hope...
The gameplay in the trailer looks phenomenal, not to mention a BIG upgrade in graphics and motion-capture. I love how they chose the classic match-up of Chuck Liddell and Rampage, not only showcasing their signature fighting styles and moves, but also keeping their celebrations!
Update: Since Rampage has just defeated Chuck Liddell and become the new light-heavyweight champion, THQ has posted a post-fight interview about his participation in the game! Check it out in the video section on the official site. Rampage's interviews are always so entertaining :)
http://thq.com/games/gameinfo.php?id=1284