WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2010 features revealed

THQ has been running a countdown clock on its official WWE SmackDown vs. RAW universe web site for quite some time with the promise of new information on the series to be released today. That new information, about WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2010, has been revealed and we have it for you now.

WWE SvR is the Madden of wrestling games at this point, having a complete lockdown on the wrestling game business now that Midway’s TNA license is in limbo and developer YUKE’S habit of only offering incremental updates to the tried and true formula that has been established in the last two or three games.

This year’s iteration may offer a bit more change than is usually expected from a WWE SvR game, but a large percentage of it is improvements to existing features - which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Get all the details after the jump.

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THQ prevails in WWE licensing dispute

THQ announced this afternoon that it has prevailed in an arbitration hearings against JAKKS Pacific, the company’s partner in a joint venture meant to deal with the WWE license related to video games. The binding arbitration, which was in the terms of the operating agreement should both parties not agree, came to the conclusion that JAKKS Pacific should have been given a lower preferred return payment for WWE video games sold under a license granted by World Wrestling Entertainment to the joint venture, THQ/JAKKS Pacific LLC.

As a result, a new rate, which is 40 percent below the previous rate, reaches all the way back to July 1, 2006 and applies through December 31, 2009. Because of this, THQ will receive approximately $23 million during the fiscal 2010 second quarter ending September 30, 2009.

Under the terms of the HQ/JAKKS Pacific LLC. operating agreement, JAKKS Pacific was to be paid a preferred return from sales of the LLC’s WWE-licensed video games. The preferred return rate was to be reset for the period beginning July 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009 but both companies could not agree on a new preferred return rate. Because of this THQ filed a suit to compel arbitration pursuant to the terms of the operating agreement.

Naturally THQ is happy about this and will continue to reap the rewards from the SmackDown vs. RAW series as well as Legends of WrestleMania.

JAKKS, THQ brawl over WWE licensing issues

I hate when people fight, but that’s just what is happening this morning between THQ and JAKKS Pacific over the World Wrestling entertainment license. JAKKS announced this morning that it had given notice to the WWE that it would extend the license to the popular sports entertainment franchise. Meanwhile in a court across town, THQ went to court to dispute the license renewal. The legal wrangling, in the form of a short press release can be found below:

JAKKS Pacific, announced that it has notified World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (“WWE”) that the joint venture between THQ and JAKKS intended to exercise its option to renew the WWE videogame license, which would otherwise expire on December 31, 2009, for an additional five (5) year term ending December 31, 2014. Separately, THQ commenced a lawsuit in California Superior Court, Los Angeles County, claiming it was not ready to make a decision with respect to renewal of the WWE videogame license, and seeking a declaratory judgment that (i) JAKKS was not authorized under the parties’ joint venture agreement to unilaterally issue a renewal notice to WWE, (ii) THQ has no obligation to consent to a renewal of the WWE license, and (iii) the restrictive covenant in the joint venture agreement prohibiting THQ from publishing any videogames based on wrestling during the term of the joint venture agreement (expiring one year after termination of the WWE license) is unenforceable under California law. JAKKS and THQ have also initiated arbitration proceedings relating to these issues.

Legends of WrestleMania Roster

THQ announced the full roster of wrestlers that will be playable in WWE Legends of WrestleMania, a new franchise focusing on the WWE’s marquee yearly event. The game will offer 40 legendary Superstars and managers that have taken part in WrestleMania over the years including Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, Andre The Giant, Bobby Heenan, Bam Bam Bigelow and more. WWE Legends of WrestleMania promises arcade style gameplay, historic matches, and vintage presentation. I hope they deliver, honestly. Full roster after the jump.

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