Fighting Game News: EA UFC, WWE 2K14 and More - Wiggy's Blog

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Fighting Game News: EA UFC, WWE 2K14 and More Stuck

Posted on September 12, 2013 at 10:00 AM.

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There's been a lot of news from the world of fighting games, especially since WWE 2K14 is approaching release and EA UFC is allowed to pull back the curtain a bit more.

Let's get to it...

EA UFC Adds Women's Division

One of the recent developments for EA UFC is that it will feature a playable roster of women for the first time ever in a UFC game. The company only confirmed that champion Ronda Rousey and current challenger Miesha Tate will be in the game, but I'd suspect at least 10 or 20 women will be included to have a proper roster to compete against.

The company also released what appears to be an actual image of the fighters' in-game models, which both look pretty spot on, all things considered. It makes sense that the UFC would push these two as the face of the division at this point, as they're both marketable and compelling as fighters, even though the outcome of their upcoming fight is a foregone conclusion.

The Reason Why Hulk Hogan is in WWE 2K14

It was definitely a bit of a surprise to see Hulk Hogan appearing prominently in the upcoming WWE 2K14, but of course, he was never part of the promotion of the game (since he's with TNA), and he hasn't commented on his inclusion.

Now his agent has clarified that he's only appearing in this game because THQ had a renewal clause with Hogan after signing him up for a previous game. That clause was scooped up by 2K when they picked up the WWE license, hence the use of Hogan in this game, especially for the "30 Years of Wrestlemania" mode.

Either way, it's good to see him in the game, as the new mode wouldn't make any damn sense if he was absent.

Jim Ross Retires

Longstanding announcer, personality and barbecue sauce baron Jim Ross has finally hung up the microphone and cowboy hat (at least for television purposes), as he's retiring from the WWE. The company issued a statement confirming his retirement, in which they cite his desire "to focus on personal business endeavours" as the reason.

Oddly, it's been suggested by Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com that Ross might have been ousted because of his inability to reign in Ric Flair's drunken shenanigans at the WWE 2K14 press conference. If that was the case, it seems like a pretty raw deal for Ross, as he's hardly going to jump on that hand grenade (not to mention, we wouldn't have been able to see something truly amazing as what we saw at that presser).

Whatever the reason, I'm sure Ross is happy to move on to another chapter of his life, especially since his role in the company had been rejigged, adjusted, altered and clouded over the past few years. He's got nothing left to prove, as most consider him to be the best wrestling commentator of his generation.

As he detailed on a recent Stone Cold Steve Austin podcast, Ross feels that there is a certain cadence and language that's required to sell faces, heels and all of the in-ring business to a mass audience. Ever the enthusiast for the business, Ross can be credited with some of the funniest, craziest and downright emotional play-by-play calls in the business.

Fight Night Finds a Home in NHL 14

If you haven't checked out Operation Sports' review of NHL 14 by yours truly, give it a read. On the one hand, it's kind of awesome that the fighting is getting such love; on the other hand, it makes you sad that the bones of the Fight Night franchise are being thoroughly picked to take out a few nuggets of code for other EA properties. At least the fighting seems to be a universal hit for the game, as most are indicating that they feel it is a lot of fun.

Quote:


	The fact that there are unlimited fights and more then one person can fight at a time makes NHL 14 so much more fun — Cam Janssen (@Cammyboy25)

Poor Fight Night, though... sitting in the corner, all alone. The only solace Fight Night fans can take is from this tidbit I was told by someone from EA when I was at E3: "It's a successful franchise. It makes sense that the company would eventually come back to a property like that."

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Follow me on Twitter @glennwigmore

Comments

# 1 poloelite @ Sep 12

I'm excited about the 30 years of WM mode, it's essentially Legends of Wrestlemania with the core game's gameplay. I wish they would just port that roster, keep the Attitude guys and add key WCW wrestlers.

# 2 Gramps91 @ Sep 12

Sad that Ross got fired because of Flair's actions. Totally not fair.

# 3 SHAKYR @ Sep 13

Man, you talk anything Fight Night or a boxing game you got my attention! I would to one day see you write a full fledge write up or article on a boxing game. I would promote your article on my many social media accounts and my forums.