UFC 2009 (The Video Game) Is a Big Deal

by Michael Rome on Jun 19, 2008 6:29 PM EDT in MMA News

This Friday night, the first gameplay footage of "UFC 2009" by THQ will be unveiled:

UFC president Dana White and host Keighley will unveil the first gameplay footage trailer of the upcoming video game, and they'll also feature "two key fighters" who will be featured in the game.

"UFC 2009" is the first videogame to be released as a part of THQ's multi-year deal with the UFC. As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) previously reported, a five-year contract gives THQ (which also develops the WWE line of games) exclusive rights to publish the UFC games through the end of 2011 for all console and portable platforms, as well as wireless devices.

It's easy to underestimate how important the game is. It's not just a big source of revenue, it is a catalyst for growth. One of the more understated factors in World Championship Wrestling's growth in the nineties was the video game series by THQ. A great fighting game transcends all boundaries, and will help make fans at home familiar with fighters they see on TV, even if they have never even seen them fight before. It will also provide revenue to fighters, if Dana White's recent statements are to be believed.

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Very excited for this game. I’m a big fan of Fight Night Round 4, and I’m hoping THQ can manage to churn out something decent. I’m especially interested in seeing how they’ll handle the control system.

by Gong on Jun 19, 2008 7:13 PM EDT reply actions

I am no video game designer, but it seems to me that they could do something similar to the old AKI system for WCW revenge and other such games. Long grapple holding up being a clinch, long grapple holding down being a shot, with short grapples of each being a lesser version (like, say, a single leg). The most complicated part by far is figuring out the ground game, as well as fatigue. I might be down for a system where attempting a submission isn’t hard, but then you have to win a tapping game against the opponent (with the tapping being weighted heavy in favor of better submisison guys over lesser).

by Michael Rome on Jun 19, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

I’m pretty sure Josh Barnett has said that Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 (which is the Japanese version of the Revenge/Wrestlemania 2000/No Mercy games) is his favorite MMA video game (obv the Japanese version has a few more features).

by Mike Fagan on Jun 19, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree that this video game could be valuable for growth. Years ago, my cousins were playing WWF Attitude for Playstation 1. After playing for a few minutes, I was hooked. I went home and bought the game and started watching WWF religously and did so for a few years. I am a huge video game fan and am very much so awaiting the release of the game. If the first gameplay footage will be released, whats the video of Rampage vs Chuck? The fact that “two key fighters” will be named isn’t such a big deal to me. Right now I can tell you the game will definitly feature GSP, Anderson Silva, Chuck Liddell, Rampage, BJ, probably Brock Lesnar (because THQ already has stuff for him from the WWE games, same reason I think hes getting an action figure). I really hope theres the unlockable characters feature like WWE games. I’d love to play as Dana White. I’m not a Dana lover or hater I just think it’d be awesome.

by WiltChamberlain on Jun 19, 2008 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

I’m a gamer since I can remember. I’ll be sure to pick this up…But I don’t know if it will come out this year or next year…Because the title of the game implies it will be released this year.

by IHateMMA on Jun 19, 2008 8:16 PM EDT reply actions

My guess is Yukes will be developing the game, same guys that did Smackdown.
Not really a fan as I found the animation really janky. I find it difficult to imagine a control scheme that would work for MMA being that it’s complicated sport. I’m crossing my fingers that it will be a fun game but I’m not that hopeful.

by pr0cs on Jun 20, 2008 12:02 AM EDT reply actions