14 DAY TRIAL // THQ and Jakks Pacific, who are already heavily involved in developing a wide array of wrestling games, are announcing that they plan to launch a PC based online world called WWE SmackDown vs. Raw. The game is still in the first stages of development and the companies behind it are just offering a few details.
The developers are aiming to get the game released first in Asia sometime in 2010. A Korean studio, called Vertigo Games, is in charge of creating the game. The only details that we have now are provided by Nelo Lucich, from Jakks Pacific, who said that the game would allow people to “become their favorite superstar in a WWE virtual world of their own creation”. The statement implies that smaller groups of people will create virtual leagues in which all the major characters of WWE will be represented. To create an online world that encompasses all the players in one league would not allow each gamer to play as their favorite character. It's not clear whether the game will be focused on the actual fights that happen in the ring or on character development and on the overall career of each player's character.
THQ seems to be moving towards a heavy presence in the PC only online world, with games like a Warhammer 40,000 shooter in development alongside a Company of Heroes Online title and Dragonica, of which very little is known.
Brian Farrell, who is the president and the Chief Executive Officer of THQ, stated that “We are pleased to bring the #1 fighting franchise, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw, to an online format, offering gamers an immersive online experience based on the world of the WWE. We view the online game market as an important driver of future growth and this new title further expands our portfolio of great games for this exciting market”.