THQ wrangling up new WWE franchise

Publisher confirms "more friendly, easier, and less simmy" installment based on wrestling license will arrive in 2011.

After years of bickering and infighting over the World Wrestling Entertainment license, THQ and Jakks Pacific called it quits at the end of last year. However, that didn't mark the end of THQ's involvement with the WWE, as the publisher signed a new, eight-year exclusivity deal to continue making games based on the wrestling entertainment organization's properties. And thus far, THQ appears as if it will be maximizing its use of the license.

WWE All Stars isn't all THQ is cooking up.

In an interview with CVG posted today, THQ core games CEO Danny Bilson confirmed that his company has yet one more WWE-themed wrestling game to announce for release in 2011. As with WWE All-Stars, which is also slated for a 2011 release, the game will apparently be more of an arcade-style brawler.

"Next year you'll see another new extension there in another way--that's just as exciting as All Stars, but a little different," Bilson said. While Bilson went on to explicitly note that the studio isn't yet talking about the new game, he did say that the new franchise will be "more friendly, easier, and less simmy than SmackDown vs Raw."

As for timing, Bilson's comments were less than clear. According to the executive, THQ would be releasing "an alternate SKU every six months." With All Stars and the new property thus announced for 2011, it is unclear whether the publisher intends to release a new installment in its flagship SmackDown vs. Raw franchise next year. THQ had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Bilson's comments come alongside confirmation that Western gamers will probably not be afforded access to WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online, which was announced for the Asian market in February. "[SmackDown vs. Raw Online] is for Asia," Bilson said. "I don't think there's any chance of that coming to the US or Europe, not soon anyway. We don't want to confuse SmackDown vs. Raw [the brand] with that online free-to-play game."

"That's a big, expensive title, SmackDown vs. Raw," he went on to note. "We will not do any cannibalization of it at all. The online game is also designed uniquely for Asian playing habits and it would probably have to be modified creatively to bring it to the West." Notably, at the same time THQ announced WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online, the publisher also said that it would be bringing Company of Heroes Online, a similarly Asia-only free-to-play online game, to the Western markets.

66 Comments

  • cselva007

    Posted Aug 9, 2010 8:13 am PT

    they seem to be mutants lol

  • theslimdavylp

    Posted Aug 2, 2010 6:26 am PT

    Give us another Wrestlemania 2000 with updated roster and graphix!

  • BIGKAYPIMP

    Posted Aug 2, 2010 6:16 am PT

    all of them look like they had steroid soup for breakfast

  • darkPSPfan

    Posted Aug 2, 2010 3:12 am PT

    im afraid to see what Taker and Kane are gonna look like

  • Blaiyan

    Posted Jul 31, 2010 11:15 pm PT

    First off I have to say I like the super moves. Like the def Jam games But...I think they work better where they are not confined into a wrestling ring. Maybe if they made a beat 'em up 3D game.

    As for the negative. They look like Toys on steroids. *Go King Beef, Go King Beef* a little Martin reference for you. I think a new franchise is now necessary as I thought it was ridiculous prior because now Current wrestling in general is boring and lame. I won't be buying any more smackdown games and that is part of the reason. The other reasons? The control schemes keep changing for the worst and most importantly I will not support THQ requiring Online Pass in their games.

  • Coolyfett

    Posted Jul 30, 2010 5:39 pm PT

    Coolyfett has never really played any of these games. But there is an interest for him.

  • ABOUD-HH

    Posted Jul 30, 2010 3:42 pm PT

    i like the 2010 style gameplay

  • ANTHONYMVP2U

    Posted Jul 30, 2010 1:30 pm PT

    i just hope its good..,..

  • JoeDivision51

    Posted Jul 30, 2010 12:33 pm PT

    or probably long before that ....

  • JoeDivision51

    Posted Jul 30, 2010 12:33 pm PT

    man WWE games suck arse ... franchise is dead ever since UFC took over

  • -Fromage-

    Posted Jul 30, 2010 9:56 am PT

    How many different WWE games do they need?

  • badron11

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 5:11 pm PT

    I get every SVR game every year, and make Comic Book CAWs. I hope they keep in the great paint tool for 2011, I don't see why they would take it out. If anyone wants to see my CAWs search badron11 on youtube. I miss the AKI engine that WWF No Mercy had too, but SVR 2010 is still the best wrestling game since then. I hope they don't quit that franchise.

  • xGlenn11x

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 3:10 pm PT

    WWF No Mercy of the N64 was my first wrestling game years ago, and if I still owned it, would probably on occasion play it. I don't really play the Smackdown games anymore, but that would be a HUGE loss for THQ.

  • punisher41542o

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 1:45 pm PT

    does anybody else miss wcw vs nwo, or wrestlemania 2000. that was alot of fun. need a game like that, not super buff over the top silly ga,e. wrestlemania was sim/ arcade. i loved em.

  • dretos_uchiha

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 11:57 am PT

    last time i enjoyed a wreastling game was wwf warzone

  • worlock77

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 8:54 am PT

    Keep the "simmy", but bring back the old control scheme. I haven't really enjoyed a WWE game in years because of the analog-stick based controls.

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 8:18 am PT

    @backlash24 well i dont know with this generation, but arent there 8 man tag matches now? heck, i dont know, i played svr10 a few weeks ago and a singles match so i cant say for sure. but it seems as if with every generation it improves. with the ps2, it was what, 2 on 2 in the ring, now 4 on 4... but remember when it comes to the mega matches like that, things are scaled back, the camera is farther away from the ring, and entrances are off no matter what you try. maybe next generation it will improve @wanderz last game AKI made were the def jam games from EA, so i think somehow in some way, AKI was one of the first partners they had in the EA Partners program years ago. TNA is a decent company, and as you saw with SUICIDE from the first TNA game, he made the jump from game to television, but TNA has such a low viewer base(roughly a million a week) that it would possibly damage the product and the game company. it took wwe years to become a staple in the video game market, tna wdoesnt have the fanbase, or a developer/publisher is willing to take the risk again.

  • The_Mad_Hatter

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 8:17 am PT

    great a bad DJ: FFNY clone... with wrestelers... doesn't THQ has something new to show?

  • Dan21278

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 7:57 am PT

    Less simmy.... how bout less buff? How bout more realistic? There an idea.

  • COPMAN221

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 7:27 am PT

    Is it just me or is this game Def Jam fight for New York with WWE wrestlers. I'm telling you those moves are in Def Jam...WTF!

  • zato_number_one

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 6:34 am PT

    Smackdown on ps2 was the most fun to play with a group of friends. They should go back to the old gameplay and controls and just ramp up the graphics. But I guess that would make too much sense...

  • Calum791

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 6:12 am PT

    This looks helarious! Need a good WWE Arcade game.

  • FusionRain

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 5:34 am PT

    I don't care for wrestling games anymore so i'm not gonna comment on this video... w8... I just Troll'd lol

  • mxmstrbnji

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 5:02 am PT

    @badman11226 and burizadokyanon: Do any of you realize this is supposed to be an arcade style game? A game that greatly EXAGGERATES moves, presentation, BODIES? I fear for the future...

  • dark_rising76

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 4:07 am PT

    The last few years SVR just hasn't appeal to me much compared to when it was Smackdown on the PS2 around the early 2000's. Now, I pretty much buy the game each year for my son since he's a wrestling fan. This year's game, however with the TLC focus looks to be promising but I wish the season/franchise mode was much, much better. I use to like the old Smackdown games when you can create a match in season mode and play with ANY player including your created wrestlers.

  • Uesugi-dono

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 3:07 am PT

    I think I may boycott future THQ WWE titles until they include midgets.

  • Uesugi-dono

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 3:07 am PT

    Less simmy. Oh, you mean less good.

  • badman11226

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 2:51 am PT

    STTTTTTTTTTEEEEEERRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOOOOODSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I mean seriously man goddamn. Dosent matter wresting sucks, The last wrestling game i played was Here Comes The Pain. WWF No Mercy I still consider the best damn wrestling game to ever came out. WWE is pure garbage now, going toward a causal setting while leaving ur HC fans in the dust goodjob man. I havent watch wrestling more than 9 years. The last time i watch wrestling when The Rock was still part of it. People talking about baseball and football being dirty with PED. Both sports cant even compare to much PEDs are use ing wrestling.

  • tinker0007

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 2:34 am PT

    rock looks more like wolverine lol.

  • macrules_640

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 2:25 am PT

    Personally I'd love to see THQ make a sequel to the Day of Reckoning series, sure it was on the Gamecube, but it was a solid franchise and had a darn good control scheme that I wish the newer Smackdown vs Raw games would use.

  • The_Gaming_Baby

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 2:24 am PT

    @burizadokyanon

    Nah, steroids pop up on their regular drug tests so they resort to using 'other' stuff.

  • vadicta

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 12:40 am PT

    THQ should definitely watch itself, because I'd put them at the top of the list in a Game Developer's Death Pool

  • burizadokyanon

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 12:27 am PT

    Haven't played a wrestling game since HCTP. When did all of the WWE wrestlers get the Chris Redfield treatment? O_o" I mean, I know the vast majority of them probably use steroids anyway, but with this game it's like they're not even trying to hide that! xD

  • burnedandfrozen

    Posted Jul 29, 2010 12:07 am PT

    It looks good but I'll be honest. Already too many moves where you go up 8 feet in the air without seeing some actual damage like the ring having cracks in in the canvas. I love small details like that. I'm a sucker for wrestling games so I'll probably pick it up after renting it a few times and then seeing it in a bargain bin a year later for cheap.

  • green_dominator

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 11:57 pm PT

    Is this wise? seriously is it wise to put out so many titles in one franchise so close together, look what Activision did to Guitar Hero. Everyone bags on GH and for good reason, Activision throws out their games like drug dealer does with crack. THQ is a better publisher than that and they should know that overpopulating a franchise is bad. on the flip side it's good to see a little diversity in the WWE games. I hope this doesn't blow up in everyone's face like Guitar Hero and so many other franchises have done.....

  • GAMERVeiwer

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 11:42 pm PT

    ok ..ok..im sorry to all the WWE fans of this generation the but its sad to say the WWE has S#cked ever since stone cold and the rock left as did many more good wrestlers but none the less the WWE in my eyes sunk Low on the level of entertainment..i would like to see the last remaining wwe Legends like HHH,Kane,Jericho,Rey Mysterio,Undertaker Exc to go to TNA were at least they Perform way better matchs in TNA i would kill to see Legends VS leagends TNA style..Sting VS Kane,Abyss VS Undertaker,Rey Mysterio VS AJ Styles Exc...i mean C'mon ...cant TNA invade WWE like old times..lol WcW.but this Game looks like crap ...sorry ...same here i want ( No Mercy 2 ) or something um...like here Comes the Pain .

  • wanderz

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 11:27 pm PT

    for the person mentioning TNA i'd really love to see a good TNA game done by AKI to be like no mercy... just call it TNA no mercy... TNA has a good amount of WWF and ECW's legends now anyway.

  • wanderz

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 11:25 pm PT

    looks a lot like def jam vendetta's gameplay with legends of wrestlings graphics style.
    of perhaps rumble roses gameplay, since it was similar to def jam vendetta in gameplay.
    oddly i was figuring EA sports BIG would do a game like this, but oh well, time will tell how it is.

  • Backlash24

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 11:11 pm PT

    I'm with cjburnfist -- to get more people in the ring would be wonderful

  • schu

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 11:03 pm PT

    i still miss no mercy.....would pay $100 for a sequel to that game

  • cjburnfist

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 11:01 pm PT

    You better hope to god you started working on 5 on 5 Matches... I am so tired of there being a 6 character limit. I would enjoy up to 16 characters in a match, but that is a far step for a single year.

  • peetowser

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 10:06 pm PT

    "more friendly, easier, and less simmy than SmackDown vs Raw." I love how they say that implying SD vs Raw is some kind of great scientific sim... One button finishers and a direction+ a button for moves, if that's too hard I guess chicken will be able to play THQ's next game...

  • SolidTy

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 10:04 pm PT


    Well, I will ahve to wait and see how this pans out before I judge it.

  • sebetai

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 10:00 pm PT

    svr is getting boring. but i have every one of them.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 9:45 pm PT

    So there will be 3 WWE games releasing...WTF?! Ok THQ. How bout you concentrate on one game and make it actually better than the N64 wrestling games AKI made.The SvsR series is stale as hell.

  • da_illest101

    Posted Jul 28, 2010 9:41 pm PT

    they will never be able to make a game as good as wwe smackdown: here comes the pain. best wrestling game ever made

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

WWE All Stars

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    1,002 of 100,057
    (down by 14)
    PS2 Rank:
    59 of 3,794
    Highest Rank:
    44 in 2010
    Tracking:
    79 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    16 Wish It»
Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Related Games

Recent News

See All News »

Site Blogs