I think I actually know the guy who wrote the preview as he also writes for an Xbox mag (360 gamer). I think he was the only European journo sent over for early showings of both this and UFC undisputed and he fully knows his stuff. I therefore reckon he's responsible. Having only read the preview in 360 gamer I can't guarantee but considering he did co-create FSM then I'd think it's have to be him. Ergo I trust the story.
@tvsadamwest: I think you may be right. While UFC has a tight grip on the MMA scene in most of the western world, it's not quite as tight a grip in Europe as it has in North America alone.
Another reason I see for FSM getting the scoop is because EA might have felt that US publications might have had too strong a tie to UFC and that may have affected the announcement.
• Pride-style rules in addition to standard Unified Rules.
This part really sold me. Just a shame that, regardless of how many organizations they sign with, UFC has ~90% of MMA's top talent locked up in it. At least Fedor's a huge plus tho. Still, as long as the game's good, that's what matters.
If nothing else, the competition will make THQ step up it's game. While Undisputed '09 wasn't bad by any means, there was a lot of room for improvement. With EA's budget and quality, hopefully it'll make THQ keep things fresh if they want to keep the UFC license all to themselves.
(Yeah, Dana White said he'd never license UFC rights to EA, but I think he loves money more than he loves being a stubborn jackass.)
@Kanji08: I still don't understand the obesession around which fighters are in which game. Whenever I buy a boxing game, all I care about is whether I can create my own fighter. As long as there are at least a few recognizeable fighters in the game, that's all that matters really (relative to characters).
The first Punch-Out only had Mike Tyson. Yet it did okay. Amirite?
The roster of names in the game will NOT decide which game is the better game.
I think EA would be spot on with the timing. Why release the non licensed game around the same time as the main licensed game?
MMA titles have a hardcore user base. We don't get many of these games per year so when we do, we go get it day release. THQ always let the fans down, be it with the Smackdown games or with last years UFC which despite being a good game, didn't live up to the first trailer and had a huge lack of diversity.
By September fans will be fed up with UFC Undisputed 2010, even if it's a great title, the hardcore will have over played it and then EA offer up a nice alternative.
This will not get swallowed up by NHL, it has a different market. Just like how FIFA wouldn't get swallowed up by COD.
Update: An EA Sports spokeswoman has told Kotaku "We have no intention of dealing with the likes of you mere mortals, and will be smiting the staff of this magazine shortly."
I'm kinda fed up with this whole "the answer is yes so we'll pan you with the rumor line" bullshit =/
Looks great so far. The models and lighting look exceptional. The animations look a little stiff while standing stationary, but the fighting animations look great and are very smooth.
EA has finally succeeded in hyping me for this game. Two MMA games a year? What a dream come true for me. #eamma
Hey! Let's judge a game based on a 30 second commercial!
That said, I know the "pure" MMA fans are praying for someone to "murder" Lesnar as whatsisname says elsewhere in this thread, but I wouldn't bank on it. Fedor is the best, but acting like Lesnar has no chance is ignorant as hell. #eamma
12/16/09
12/15/09
12/15/09
12/15/09
Another reason I see for FSM getting the scoop is because EA might have felt that US publications might have had too strong a tie to UFC and that may have affected the announcement.
12/15/09
This part really sold me. Just a shame that, regardless of how many organizations they sign with, UFC has ~90% of MMA's top talent locked up in it. At least Fedor's a huge plus tho. Still, as long as the game's good, that's what matters.
If nothing else, the competition will make THQ step up it's game. While Undisputed '09 wasn't bad by any means, there was a lot of room for improvement. With EA's budget and quality, hopefully it'll make THQ keep things fresh if they want to keep the UFC license all to themselves.
(Yeah, Dana White said he'd never license UFC rights to EA, but I think he loves money more than he loves being a stubborn jackass.)
12/16/09
The first Punch-Out only had Mike Tyson. Yet it did okay. Amirite?
The roster of names in the game will NOT decide which game is the better game.
12/15/09
12/15/09
MMA titles have a hardcore user base. We don't get many of these games per year so when we do, we go get it day release. THQ always let the fans down, be it with the Smackdown games or with last years UFC which despite being a good game, didn't live up to the first trailer and had a huge lack of diversity.
By September fans will be fed up with UFC Undisputed 2010, even if it's a great title, the hardcore will have over played it and then EA offer up a nice alternative.
This will not get swallowed up by NHL, it has a different market. Just like how FIFA wouldn't get swallowed up by COD.
12/14/09
I'm kinda fed up with this whole "the answer is yes so we'll pan you with the rumor line" bullshit =/
12/14/09
12/14/09
Yea I know, but I'm tired so I'm patiently losing patience... and sanity...
12/12/09
Lets hope this years effort can live up to the trailer from E3 07
[www.gametrailers.com]
So fluid, so many broken promises.
12/12/09
Unfortunately, the full product suffered from an absolutley horrible interface and prolonged loading times.
While a mate and I spent a few fun hours pounding each other with the demo, I only booted up the full game twice.
11/09/09
11/08/09
Looks great so far. The models and lighting look exceptional. The animations look a little stiff while standing stationary, but the fighting animations look great and are very smooth.
EA has finally succeeded in hyping me for this game. Two MMA games a year? What a dream come true for me. #eamma
11/08/09
11/08/09
11/09/09
11/08/09
Oh, and Fedor is a bitch for going to Strikeforce instead of UFC. Or maybe he was just scared hed get beat in his first fight.
11/08/09
11/08/09
Hey! Let's judge a game based on a 30 second commercial!
That said, I know the "pure" MMA fans are praying for someone to "murder" Lesnar as whatsisname says elsewhere in this thread, but I wouldn't bank on it. Fedor is the best, but acting like Lesnar has no chance is ignorant as hell. #eamma
11/08/09