WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2010 now on iPhone

Written on January 13, 2010 at 1:17 pm, by James Fudge

THQ Wireless has released an iPhone version of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 on iTunes for $4.99. The iPhone and iPod Touch wrestling game promises a multitude of game features and modes, 11 WWE Superstars and a high level of personal customization.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 lets you create your own Superstars from scratch and attempt to become a legend – fighting top stars from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW shows. Along the way, you can adjust your character’s appearances, unlock new clothes, accessories, tattoos and signature moves, and boost fighting skills. Players can also assume the role of their favorite WWE Superstars and enter customizable Exhibition matches for pick-up-and-play action.

Other features include six WWE arenas – including Summerslam and Survivor Series, on-screen Action Icons to monitor options at any point in the game and a Career Mode with easy entry, coupled with lots options and choices.

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 can be purchased directly tiny.cc/wwex.

Sick Puppies take on WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 Fans

Written on December 14, 2009 at 4:33 pm, by James Fudge

THQ has partnered with EMI / Capitol Music Group recording artist Sick Puppies to offer fans the chance to connect with the band using WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010.

On Friday, December 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT, Sick Puppies band members will log into the Xbox LIVE to compete against fans using the Xbox Live Gamertag “SICKPUPPIESband.” The Game With Fame event is expected to last for approximately two hours.

“We can’t wait to meet you guys online and play WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010,” said Emma Anzai, bassist, Sick Puppies. “You’re going down!”

I’ll make a little prediction here and now: members of Sick Puppies are going to get the worst virtual beatings of their lives, courtesy of hardcore wrestling game fans.

“You’re Going Down,” the No. 1 single from the band’s recent release, Tri-Polar, appears on the soundtrack to WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010. In addition, the song served as the official theme song for the WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view in June 2009.

More information about WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 can be found at www.smackdownvsraw.com.

Target slashes prices on select games for shoppers

Written on December 11, 2009 at 2:08 pm, by James Fudge

Target is running a sale on select video games until December 26th, and the deals are pretty sweet: The sales chops $10-off off several new video game titles including Uncharted 2 (PS3), Madden 2010 (Xbox 360 and PS3), WWE  Smackdown V. Raw 2010 (Xbox 360 and PS3) and many more. In addition to those deals, beginning this Sunday, December 13, Target shoppers can save up to 50 percent off hot holiday games and electronics.

The deals include a free $30 Target GiftCard when you purchase a Nintendo Wii ($199.99), a free $10 Target GiftCard when you purchase a Nintendo DSi handheld gaming system ($169.99) and $88 on several game bundles including Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero World Tour, DJ Hero and Tony Hawk Ride. In addition to that, select DS games are just $25 each this week, including the new Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story and several other top titles.

Finally, there’s a sale on gadgets like the Kodak MD41 digital camera on sale for $95 (save over $50), Aiptek HD digital camcorder on sale for $79 (save over $30), HP digital photo frame on sale for $69 (save over $40), Garmin Nuvi GPS navigation system on sale for $99 (save over $50), TomTom GPS navigation system on sale for $99 (save over $30 and a $20 Target GiftCard with purchase), the Logitech V220 cordless notebook mouse on sale for $9.99 (save over $15) and the Casio lighted-key keyboard on sale for $98 (save over $30).

For more information, check out Target.com.

10 Weeks of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 Contests

Written on December 8, 2009 at 7:05 pm, by James Fudge

THQ will host a 10-week series of contests for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 via the game’s official Web site at www.smackdownvsraw.com. Each contest will challenge fans to create, connect and share their WWE videogame experiences with others from around the world – all while competing for a variety of WWE-themed prize packages.

The first community contest begins today and encourages players to use the game’s Create-a-Superstar Mode to construct and name their ultimate Superstars and Divas. Along with their characters, consumers will submit brief written descriptions to tell the back stories of their wrestlers. All entries will be received via PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox LIVE. The entries will be judged on character design, character name and the written description. The winner will receive his or her choice of a WWE sweatshirt and WWE t-shirt from the WWE Shop (subject to availability).

For more information on the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 community contests, including full descriptions of contest rules, eligibility requirements and prizing, visit www.smackdownvsraw.com.

It came from retail: what’s in stores this week

Written on October 20, 2009 at 8:01 pm, by James Fudge

Tuesday is release day and there are plenty of new games to choose from including shooters, games based on movies heavy weight sports titles, games for girls,  games about apocalyptic wastelands, ports of games that should have sold better than they did,  games  involving dudes in spandex and more.

Come and take a tour of this week’s best and worst  releases after the break – you probably won’t regret it, but if you do i’ll give you a refund (let’s see, 0 – 0 = ?).

 

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WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2010 features revealed

Written on August 24, 2009 at 4:05 pm, by James Fudge

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

Written on July 27, 2009 at 6:27 pm, by James Fudge

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.