Fighting Games -- The Fate of the Big Three in 2013 - Wiggy's Blog

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Fighting Games -- The Fate of the Big Three in 2013 Stuck

Posted on January 9, 2013 at 04:12 PM.

(7)

I'll definitely be talking about this topic with more detail in the future, but it recently just jumped out at me how the big three fighting franchises are really in a state of limbo at this point.

With THQ's financial state very much on the brink, it seems even more likely that many of their assets will be sold off. Of course, they already pre-emptively sold the UFC licence to EA, but that title has yet to materialize. There have been some minor hints as to who will be on the roster, via the UFC's facebook page, but nothing about the game -- release date, final roster, features or platforms -- is clear.

It's likely that the UFC wants people to tap out the reserves of UFC Undisputed 3 as much as possible, and that the new game in question just isn't far enough along to really show. Likely, we'll see some sort of sizzle trailer by E3.

Them there's the WWE game rights, which seem ripe to be sold. With WWE 13 doing fairly well both critically and commercially, it seems kind of like a no-brainer asset to dangle in front of possible buyers.

The problem for people waiting on the next version is that this creates a great deal of uncertainty, especially from the fact that the development studio will likely be an unproven group -- or the obvious delay in release cycle that will likely take place. It seems hard to believe that a title would be ready to release in 2013 without some sort of development help from THQ's own team.

Then there's the boxing realm. The Fight Night series sold well in the FN3 and FN4 releases, but Fight Night Champion was considered a disappointment in that regard. This leaves the future of EA boxing titles in some doubt, as they haven't really committed to how, and when, it will return. They had a statement last year reaffirming their commitment to the franchise, but gave no specifics. Hopefully E3 provides us with some answers in this respect, but one has to wonder how they'll handle having two fighting franchises -- and possibly even three, if the WWE falls their way.

Do you think we'll see all three of the big fighting franchises in 2013?

Comments

# 1 SHAKYR @ Jan 9

I don't think all three will make it this year. I know from my contact with the Fight Night producers the UFC game is their priority right now. The Senior Producers, one who is Brian"Brizzo"Hayes is heading the project. A couple of producers stayed on.
As, far as WWE goes I'm not sure they(EA) can give the game the same depth and dedication. The only way the franchise would stay successful is if the same production team is on board.

# 2 Weedboy @ Jan 9

im glad thq isnt going to make anymore wrestling games. atleast now we can see a new engine for better or worse. download all your created wrestlers while you can cause you know those servers wont last too long.

whoever gets the wwe license next should do everyone a favor and play king of coloseum 2 for 6 months straight then shamelessly rip off thier grappling system. a grappling system where you can execute 36 grabs as oppossed to wwes 20 and thats including 2 sigs and 2 finishers plus the 4 groggy grapples. not to mention this is just in front of the guy. koc2 give you 36 grabs from behind as well. koc 2 needs to be copied in an american wrestling game format.

as for fight night like most i can wait another 2 years if so. Absolutely nothing of importance is going on right now in boxing. just download whatever fighter you need.

last but not least cant wait for the new ufc. id like ea mma's standup just expanded upon with new strikes and a refined ufc clinch and ground game.i truly felt ea's striking was light years ahead. you could end the fight with 1 strike if timed right. i also like how you can get in and out if u were a machida type guy. ufc truly does favor volume striking and kind of forces you in a slugfest no matter how elusive you try to be.

# 3 fakeimmigrant @ Jan 9

Yes, Fight Night Champion was a disappointment in the sale department, but it was critically loved and commended for its attempt at putting a story in a sports game. We already know the future of Fight Night...those guys are working on EA's MMA/UFC game. It's going to be a flip-flop: One year MMA/UFC, One year Boxing. If you follow any of the Fight Night Guys from EAC on Twitter, you'll see that they've been tweeting about their work with UFC fighters for MoCapping. I am really hoping that EA's UFC game incorporates a similiar but more personal story mode ala FNC.

The only real question is who gets the WWE License? Which we will probably find out by the end of the month. I know people want Activision to buy the studio but considering how little effort they put in NASCAR games, I'd rather it go to 2K or EA, but can EA really handle another sports franchise and/or new studio.

# 4 Bionickle @ Jan 9

I'm pretty content with EA handling the UFC license since EA Sports MMA had potential in that market and was a nice 1st attempt at it. It would be cool if they get the WWE license too, but only if that means they'll let AKI take care of the developing process. Those guy had IMO the best engine for wrestling games and they were in charge of the excellent Def Jam 2-game series back on last gen.

# 5 kingsofthevalley @ Jan 10

EA should let the previous Fight Night team stick with the UFC title and grab the Japanese developers from Hajime Victorious Road to work on the next Fight Night.

@fakeimmigrant, a story mode in the new UFC? Negative bro. Thats what career/dynasty/legacy modes are for my man. Its already your own story and is always completely open ended. All it needs is some presentation aspects implemented. No need to waste resources on a one and done story mode in a sports game. Makes no sane sense my friend.

# 6 PRO318 @ Jan 10

imagine wwe game with a physic engine an ton of animations like if i do a RKO on someone i get different ground reasons from both characters

# 7 SHAKYR @ Jan 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingsofthevalley


	EA should let the previous Fight Night team stick with the UFC title and grab the Japanese developers from Hajime Victorious Road to work on the next Fight Night. @fakeimmigrant, a story mode in the new UFC? Negative bro. Thats what career/dynasty/legacy modes are for my man. Its already your own story and is always completely open ended. All it needs is some presentation aspects implemented. No need to waste resources on a one and done story mode in a sports game. Makes no sane sense my friend.

Yeah, Fight Night didn't sell well because it focus to much on the story mode and not enough on the overall boxing experience. Fight Night has to leave the arcadey stuff alone.
Fight Night isn't going to sell well until the producers stop being hard headed and follow MLB:The Show and NBA 2K's route. Boxers have to stand out and the overall boxing experience has to be there. The sport has nothing to do with Fight Night's sales. I used to be a Senior Moderator on EA's site. I also pushed the Fight Night series/games on many sites real boxing and videogame.
The fans wanted a deep boxing experience and want boxers to fight like their counter-parts. Fight Night was very limited as a so-called sim/realistic game.