MarketWWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010
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WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is a professional wrestling video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, and iOS. It was released worldwide in October 2009, with the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions for Japan in January 2010. TOSE oversaw the development for the Nintendo DS version, which was the last installment to be released for the handheld. 2010 was also the first installment to be released as an iPhone app, launching on App Store on December 23 the same year.

Gameplay
Create modes "Create modes" have received a complete overhaul from past years' editions. The game introduces the "WWE Story Designer" mode, where the player can now design storylines for WWE's weekly shows and pay-per-view events with storylines, scenarios, and matches of their creations using a variety of preset options. There are over 100 different animations and 25 different locations to design each scene. Subtitles can be written in through a controller or through a USB keyboard. The player can now control how long the storylines goes on, how many WWE Superstars or Divas are involved, and what takes place in the storylines. The match-making feature allows the player to set a match type, set a stipulation, and set any winning conditions. In addition to using created superstars, the player may also integrate actual WWE superstars and Divas into their created storylines, scenarios, or matches. Created wrestlers are limited in the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions to ten appearances in the mode. A new point system has been implemented where each item is given a point value and the player is able to attach up to 48 points of items. For each created wrestler, the player can create up to three alternate attires for them. The mode also features an additional "Paint Tool" in which players can create their own design that they can use as to use as a logo or a tattoo for their created wrestler. "Create-a-Finisher" has also been reworked, with the mode expanded to include aerial techniques. The player is also able to adjust the jumping trajectory and speed of the maneuver. Match gameplay SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 features new additions to match gameplay. A new feature that has been added is the "THQ Training Facility", a tutorial option. The player is able to choose a superstar, their non-player character opponent (or they may choose to play with another player), the match type, and the game or match settings. During the match, various pop-ups will appear with different instructions on how to perform actions, such as the grapples or maneuvers available to be performed. The game features a revamped HUD that cuts down the on-screen information. The momentum meter now appears as a small halo underneath each superstar, while HUD icons and information relevant to the match are displayed around the superstar. Another new match type is the mixed tag team match. However, apart from the mixed tag team match, intergender match-ups are no longer allowed. The mode introduces a Diva-based story involving Mickie James, and a story specifically for one of the player's created wrestlers. This year's co-operative storyline, titled "Brand Warfare", features Triple H and John Cena. The remaining three stories involve Edge, Shawn Michaels, and Randy Orton respectively. Road to WrestleMania also includes storylines that branch out through interactive cutscenes before and during WrestleMania 25. The DS version also features a revamped story mode in which the player will participate in various storylines. Along the way, the player has to compete in matches, in addition to being able to improve a created wrestler's statistics, nursing the wounds suffered by the player's wrestler, or visiting WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon's office. ==Roster==
Roster
character model WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 features 67 in-game superstars and divas on each console, with the debuts of 13 new superstars to the series. The Nintendo DS version features 30 superstars, and the Mobile version features 11 superstars. The majority of the roster was revealed on September 16 during a live webcast hosted by GameSpot, featuring The Miz, Eve Torres and Howard Finkel as guests. The roster in the 2010 edition is split into six classifications: Raw, SmackDown, ECW, WCW, legends, and free agents. An extra character, Stone Cold Steve Austin, was also featured as downloadable content on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. The character could be downloaded by a code obtained when purchased at GameStop, EB Games or Game. ==Development==
Development
The first announcement for the game was made in May 2009, when during an earnings call with investors, THQ declared their intent to release the next installment in the series later in the year. The game's development was officially revealed at E3 2009 by WWE, Yuke's, and THQ. For the first time in the series, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 implements the Havok game engine. The software was used in the game to improve collision detection. In a podcast with IGN, THQ game designer Bryan Williams said Havok was slowly implemented into the series with this year's game only focusing on small areas such as collisions between wrestlers and the ring ropes as well as collisions between themselves, with later installments incorporating Havok more. The game also saw some graphical improvements within the series, with blood from the cuts on wrestlers' heads now smearing on any wrestlers that contact the wound. The first video of gameplay footage was revealed on the August 11 edition of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon during an interview with wrestler Triple H, showing a match between Triple H and a created Jimmy Fallon. A trailer announcing and promoting the game's new customization features was released on August 20 at GameSpot. The game was featured on the No. 18 & the No.20 cars of Kyle Busch & Joey Logano at the Nationwide Series Race at Texas. Certain stores also featured special bonuses bundled with the game when pre-ordered. GameStop, EB Games and Game gave away codes that would enable the player to download a Stone Cold Steve Austin character for free. Other stores gave away cheat codes to unlock certain superstars and arenas such as The Rock when purchased at Play.com, and two backstage areas, Vince McMahon's office, and the Dirt Sheet studio, if the game was preordered at Amazon.co.uk. If the game was preordered at HMV, players got a free Rey Mysterio DVD. but the release date was subsequently moved forward to October 20. A playable demo for the game was made available for attendees of WWE's SummerSlam Axxess fan convention on August 22 and 23. Unlike previous years, there was not a wide release of the demo. ==Reception==
Reception
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 was met with mostly positive reception from numerous video game publications. The majority of positive reviews were for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions. GamesMaster magazine rated the Xbox 360 version with 90%, giving it the publication's GamesMaster Gold Award, calling it a "true return to form for the evergreen series". Oliver Hurley from the PlayStation Official Magazine rated the PS3 version an 8 out of 10, mentioning that while gameplay was "much the same as ever" and that it lacked the "punching power" seen in UFC 2009 Undisputed (also produced by THQ and Yuke's), the game's create modes "makes this the deepest, most playable WWE game yet". IGN reviewer Greg Miller rated both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions an 8.5 out of 10, mentioning that while the game "still stumbles" in areas and that it "might not be the greatest wrestling game of all time", the improvement in gameplay, presentation and create modes makes this wrestling game "the best the world's seen in years". The game has also received some criticism. Game Revolution's Nick Tan questioned the game's tagline with restrictions in the Story Designer and create-a-superstar modes, and instead declared it as "Your World Now. Some Restrictions Apply". As well as the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, IGN also reviewed the PS2, PSP, Wii, Nintendo DS and iPhone versions. Greg Miller gave the PS2 and Wii versions 8 out 10, praising the gameplay and additional content featured in the PS2 version as well as calling the Wii version the best game of the series on that console. However, Miller criticized the lack of online support on the Wii and commented that the tweaks to the game did not "play as well on the PSP as they played on the PS3" and that the "whole experience still feels stiff". Reviewer Mark Bozon also commented on the Wii version, calling the switch to buttons a "win/lose situation", with the sacrifice of the Wii-exclusive features in the previous two games has helped the core game get stronger, of which he approved. On the Nintendo DS version, Bozon mentioned that while the game was sluggish in gameplay and that superstars movesets were lacking in areas, the switch to button controls "paid off" and it was "closer to the No Mercy system than ever before". Miller gave the iPhone version a score of 2.5 out of 10 and called it "a pretty shallow experience" filled with basic menus and "ugly" visuals. ==See also==
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