Information On The New Raw Versus Smackdown Video Game!

The following is an preview from IGN.com:

Though THQ is going to reveal the majority of its feature set for WWE Smackdown! vs. RAW in the upcoming issue of PSM Magazine (yes, that's a plug for my boy Kaiser and crew), representatives for the Toy Headquarters revealed plenty of new information exclusively to IGN this afternoon. Namely, bits on the planned roster, an all-new match type, some graphical facts, and it even addressed the rumor of online play.

Online play, in fact, was the first order of business. As several IGN readers have reported to us that they have received Beta Test requests from Sony to participate in a Smackdown! vs. RAW Internet trial. And while there have been plenty of arguments among fans today as to whether or not this request is real, we can confirm that the emails are definitely legitimate.

"Sony has begun the online beta program for Smackdown! vs. RAW," said THQ's Head of Media Relations, Liz Pieri, in a comment to IGN earlier today. "But THQ has yet to announce online play as a confirmed feature in the game."

Now in the off chance that you don't speak videogame lingo or aren't familiar with the beta-testing process, an online beta test for Smackdown! vs. RAW doesn't necessarily confirm the feature 100%. Instead, it means that the company is looking into the possibility of adding it to the final game and is evaluating it to see if it works. If the online feature doesn't work exactly how the developers want it to, then it won't make it into the final game, could be scaled in terms of size, or be re-worked into something else entirely. Those possibilities are why THQ hasn't officially announced online play up to this point and still won't -- as even though the feature is now more likely going to happen than not, THQ is still not sure if it will make it all the way to the end of the development process (see Uru: Beyond of Myst for the PC as a good example of this).

But now it's time to move into the realm of what definitely will be in Smackdown! vs. RAW: The Parking Lot Brawl. Announced as the only new match type this year, the PLB is pretty much just what it sounds like; a specialty match that takes place in the parking lot behind the arena. While in this match, players will be able to interact with and destroy just about everything in the environment -- be it cars, trucks, limos, or whatever else happens to be hanging around. The level of destructibility of these objects is still being determined, but Product Manager Devin Knudsen did confirm that doors, hoods, and other similar pieces can all be smashed around like crazy -- which is a pretty promising start.

Knudsen also confirmed at least nine superstars who will make the final roster whose number is still not finalized. The nine confirmed grapplers are: John Cena, Randy Orton, Booker T, Ric Flair, Batista, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Rico, and Charlie Haas. Additionally, we learned that Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, and Eric Bischoff will also be in the game in a greater capacity than they were before. Whether or not that means that they'll be playable as active members of the roster or have a more prominent mode in career mode remains to be seen.

Finally, THQ touched on some of the more presentational aspects of Smackdown! vs. RAW and revealed that for the first time in the series' history, the game will receive all-new music for the menu screens and in-game wrestling matches (thank the heavens!). What makes this musical enhancement even more interesting, though, is the fact that it will boast licensed tracks from established industry stars. Who these bands or individual singers will be, however, have not yet be revealed.

Another new presentational tidbit that's sure to please fans is the fact thay all the transition screens from Smackdown! and RAW television programming (ie: the graphics used to illustrate championship matches, the 'tale of tape' versus screens, and similar pre and post-match visuals) has been included as well, and the championship belts can finally be used as a weapon during matches. Even better, is that in an effort to add even more realism, Yuke's has implanted a new blur filter effect for submission moves to illustrate the pain or grogginess associated with the pain (it's also possible that this effect will be used for powerful blows to the head as well, but THQ still hasn't finalized that yet).

Unfortunately, that's all we have for now. But it's definitely the most about Smackdown! vs. RAW that's been revealed so far. Before we go, though, be sure and click on our image above to view a handful of brand new screenshots taken from the most recent build. They're pretty sweet too, and illustrate the fact that Yuke's has increased each character's polygon count by 25%. Expect us to return with more on SvR in the coming weeks and look for a definite answer as to whether or not the online mode will stay by watching this space.