WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online (lost build of cancelled online professional wrestling PC game; 2010-2011)
WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online (also known as WWE Online) was a cancelled PC free-to-play professional wrestling game. Developed by Vertigo Games, it was planned to be published by THQ for Windows. Had it been released, it would have been the first online PC game to be released under the WWE brand.
Background
The game was first announced in September 2008, as part of THQ's strategy to primarily target the Korean PC gaming market, with wider Asian market penetration planned. It partnered with Korean organisation Vertigo Games to develop the game, with the game known as WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW Online.[1] According to a THQ press release, the game was intended to have complemented the growing online game market.[2]
Many features from other WWE SmackDown vs Raw games would be included, with single and multiplayer online modes present. Additionally, a hub would enable players to interact with others online, including to challenge them to matches, or trade items. It also would utilise microtransactions, enabling players to buy items, abilities and clothing to complement existing wrestlers, or to improve their own creations. Further, a 3D paint tool would be incorporated to allow for importing of images into the game.
By May 2009, the game was renamed WWE Online, with development centring in Asia.[3] However, by the time the game was presented at E3 2010, it had reverted to its original name of WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online.[4] Ultimately, a release in late-2010 was planned primarily for the Korean market.[5] However, this was then pushed back to early 2011, again exclusively in South Korea.[6]
Cancellation
On February 2nd, 2011, THQ announced its fiscal 2011 third-quarter results. As part of the accounting charges, it was announced that the game, again renamed to WWE Online, was to be cancelled alongside Company of Heroes Online. This was the result of THQ re-evaluating its strategy of releasing primarily western content to Asian markets as part of its free-to-play online game push. As a result of the cancellations, THQ lost $9.9 million.[7]
Availability
Because WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online was cancelled, no build was released to customers and is still not publicly accessible as of the present day. A few trailers, including at E3 2010, help showcase what the game might have been upon release.
Gallery
See Also
- Braden Walker's "Knock Knock" promo (lost original pre-tapes of WWE backstage segment; 2008)
- Bret Hart-Hulk Hogan photoshoot (lost professional wrestling promotional photos; 1993)
- Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling (lost early BBC televised professional wrestling matches; 1938-1939; 1946-1947)
- Celebrity Wrestling (partially found ITV professional wrestling reality show; 2005)
- ECW Anarchy Rulz (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64 port of professional wrestling game; existence unconfirmed; 2000)
- ECW Hardcore TV final episodes (lost episodes of Professional Wrestling Show; 2001)
- The Game (partially found Disturbed cover of professional wrestling theme song; mid 2000s)
- Girls Gone Wild: Live from Spring Break (found WWE/Girls Gone Wild crossover special; 2003)
- Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1908)
- Gotch-Hackenschmidt Match Film (lost world championship match; 1911)
- Jake "The Snake" Roberts DDTs Hulk Hogan (lost Snake Pit segment; 1986)
- "Plane Ride From Hell" (lost photographs of drunk wrestler incidents; 2002)
- Screwed: The Bret Hart Story (lost unfinished wrestling documentary film; 2005)
- Sex University (lost WWE webshow; 2006)
- Shin Nihon Pro Wrestling Gekitou Densetsu (lost build of unreleased Virtual Boy wrestling game; 1995)
- TNA Impact! 2 (lost build of unfinished professional wrestling game; 2009)
- WCW 2000 (lost work on unfinished PlayStation 2 game; 2000)
- WCW Internet-only Special Events and PPVs (lost audio streams; 1997-1998)
- WCW/nWo Live (lost build of cancelled PlayStation professional wrestling game; 1998)
- WWE Brawl (lost build of cancelled fighting game based on professional wrestling; 2012)
- WWF Backlash (non-existent unfinished Nintendo 64 professional wrestling game; 2001)
- WWF In Your House 8: Beware Of Dog (lost untelevised wrestling PPV matches; 1996)
- WWF No Mercy (lost Game Boy Color games based on Nintendo 64 wrestling game; 2000)
- WWF Shotgun (partially found July to December season of syndicated wrestling show; 1997)
- WWF Xperience (found pay-per-view event footage; 1996)
References
- ↑ GameSpot article discussing THQ announcing WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online back in 2008. Retrieved 23 May '21
- ↑ Archived IGN article containing the THQ press release, and details of the game. Retrieved 23 May '21
- ↑ Escapist Magazine discussing THQ's 2009 announcement of WWE Online. Retrieved 23 May '21
- ↑ Footage of E3 2010 trailer, revealing the game's title being reverted back to WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online. Retrieved 23 May '21
- ↑ IGN article detailing WWE Online, its announcement in 2009, and being intended for the Korean market. Retrieved 23 May '21
- ↑ License Global article detailing WWE SmackDown vs Raw Online and its delayed release. Retrieved 23 May '21
- ↑ THQ announcing the cancellation of WWE Online. Retrieved 23 May '21