Article: SVR08 Eyes-on

[Tom Rice]

[i][size=1]30th March 2007 - IGN.com[/size][/i]

Even if they won't change the Smackdown vs. Raw name, ECW is going to be big in 2008.

In front of a ballroom full of gaming journalists and PR types, THQ unveiled the first in-game footage from Smackdown vs. Raw 2008, but even before the gameplay movies rolled, the static logo blasted across a Titantron-looking big screen and several widescreen TVs let the room know this year would be different.

A purple splash had soiled the familiar Smackdown vs. Raw logo. It said "ECW INVASION."

"ECW is completely invading our franchise," said THQ Creative Manager Cory Ledesma. "It's going to be just as equal to Raw and Smackdown as far as superstars, arenas, attacks you'll have in season mode, you'll have exclusive weapons, exclusive match types - ECW is going to be completely integrated into the franchise."

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That's hardcore, but don't think that the innovators of violence were the main thrust of Friday's event. While at the podium, Ledesma spoke about the new Struggle Submission System, superstar fighting styles and got into the brand new WWE 24/7 mode - a combination of the franchise's season and general manager modes.

Remember last year when your goal in season mode was to make it to Wrestlemania? THQ is setting the bar higher this year. A lot higher.

"Ultimately, the goal is to become a legend," Ledesma said. "This process of becoming a legend could take quite awhile."

Pick Undertaker for your WWE 24/7 character? He's pretty popular already, you might be able to knock out his set of preset, unannounced goals in about six in-game months and make your way into the WWE Hall of Fame. Create a character? You could be looking at three years of WWE ladder climbing.

"Really what we wanted to accomplish here was let the user live the life of a WWE superstar," Ledesma said of the mode that will have players training their characters, coping with injuries and managing their brand. "This year it's all about being a legend."

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A few of the sweet minutes we got to see of in-game footage dealt with the different types of fighting styles. Raw vs. Smackdown 2008 characters will have two of eight fighting styles - hardcore, high flier, submission artist, powerhouse, brawler, showman, dirty and technician - that will each have their own benefits and drawbacks when characters enter the ring.

For instance, THQ popped a match between Randy Orton and Kane on the auditorium's screens to showcase Orton's dirty fighting style. Kane went to put a beat down Orton, but the devious heel jumped behind the ref, grabbed the WWE employee's arms and used him as a human shield. After a bit of squirming on the ref's part, Orton threw the official into Kane. It knocked the ref out, and the big man down. Orton's dirty demo didn't end there. In another clip, the cowboy's kid placed a chair under the fallen Undertaker's head, grabbed another steel seat and slammed it down to make a noggin sandwich out of the Phenom.

The virtual Bobby Lashley was also trotted out by THQ to display some of the neat features for powerhouses. Pinned by Rey Mysterio, Lashley let the little man get a two-count before tossing the high flyer off his chest and across the ring. If a powerhouse stores a special, they'll be able to use it to kick out of any pin.

Using the ring as a weapon will also be up the sleeves of the Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 powerhouses. A demo showed Kane carrying Orton around the ring and slamming him into the corners, and a similar video had Lashley powerbombing Orton onto a portion of steel steps that had made it into the ring.

Poor Randy.

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Ledesma said the theme of Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 is "How will you play." Fighting styles will help you find the character that fits your persona while 24/7 mode will give you the RPG-like tools you need to shape the WWE, but developers wanted to take the experience even deeper.

The new Struggle Submission System will play like a cat-and-mouse game, Ledesma said. Rather than have both players sit there while an animation of a figure-four leglock begins, the new system will have both players managing how their character acts during the battle. Using the analog stick, the player performing the move can move the joystick ever-so slightly to add just a little bit of pressure but make a long hold or wrench back on the stick to make the pressure go through the roof during a short hold. Meanwhile, the opponent in the hold can leave his or her stick alone and offer no resistance to the hold or work it to one side and try to power out of the lock.

"These choices are now up to you," Ledesma said.

In a video shown today, Triple H had whipping boy Orton in an abdominal stretch. The Game gave it his all and leaned back to contort Orton's body, but Orton took a shot and powered out to send Hunter flying. Triple H caught up to the kid again, put him in the same hold and Orton tapped.

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Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 has shipped 3.6 million copies since it's release last year. With a fan base like that, it's doubtful THQ had to try hard to build excitement for 2008, but with the robust features described today - did I mention more than 50 match types, all the create modes you love, three different commentary teams and more than 50 superstars? - chances are the company just set its fanbase into world wrestling overdrive.

Lace up your boots, Hulkamaniacs. Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 heads to the ring this fall.