ECW invades SmackDown vs. Raw 2008

Last month, THQ told analysts in a quarterly conference call that it would be introducing its SmackDown vs. RAW series of wrestling games to the Nintendo DS, Wii, and PlayStation 3 this year. Today the publisher spilled the first details on SmackDown vs. RAW 2008, which will also appear on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360, combining for the company's largest cross-platform WWE release yet.

THQ also gave a glimpse of what to expect from this year's installment of the game, saying that WWE spin-off league Extreme Championship Wrestling will have a "significant" presence in the game, with a number of ECW stars, arenas, and weapons included. As for the gameplay focus, THQ said that "realism and strategy are at the forefront" with its new struggle submission system, which uses analog controls to let players dictate the amount of pressure applied to their opponents in submission holds.

SmackDown vs. RAW 2008 will also sport adjustments to features included in last year's game, with new rosters, more interactive "hotspots," a combined season and general manager mode, and revised action outside the ring and online community options.

SmackDown vs. RAW 2008 is scheduled to release this fall. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's first look at the Wii edition.