More Cat Fights, Puppies, & Divas!
By: Sergio Ortiz
April 4, 2008 - With WrestleMania 24 in the history books, and SmackDown vs RAW 2009 on the horizon, Code X will be sharing wish list articles from now until the release of SvR 2009 regarding the improvements and additions that we would like to see make their way into the game even if it means we wait until SmackDown vs. RAW 2010 (unofficial title). Every year we see vast improvements that seem minor only because we are so used to the series that it becomes hard to keep it fresh. Some improvements are greatly accepted, some are not, and some come with the price of downgrading other parts of the game. We hope that our articles can make some sort of impact on Yukes or THQ with the help of our readers spreading the word. Every article will feature a new topic of what we would like improved or added to the next SmackDown game. Enjoy!
Wrestling With Puppies.... err... Divas
Every SmackDown game to date has featured a handful of WWE Divas and for too long their inclusion feels very stale simply because they come with too many restrictions. As of this writing, there are 18 WWE Divas currently employed by WWE and in the past there have been more, but every SmackDown game has featured about 5 - 7 Divas. Sometimes we get Divas who don't wrestle and some that do. The more the merrier, but why not focus on delivering the one's that can wrestle first so we can actually use them to ... well wrestle. Last year's SmackDown vs RAW 2008 featured Kelly Kelly in 2 attires and yet there was no Victoria. On top of a small Diva roster, the game also featured Maria, Lilian Garcia, and Stephanie McMahon as Non Playable Characters (NPC's) which if they were made playable, the diva roster would have been a bit more satisfactory with 10 Playable Divas.
As far as NPC's go, what's the point in adding superstars, divas, or alternate attires if you can't access them other than see them in season mode? As mentioned earlier, Maria was featured in SmackDown vs RAW 2008 as a NPC that could only be seen in 24/7 Mode. Obviously Yukes went through the trouble of creating her model and assigning a move-set to her, and even though she lacked a titantron movie and entrance theme, the effort could have been made to include them and make her a playable character. The same goes for Stephanie McMahon, Lilian Garcia, and any other NPC.
Wow! Maria made it in! ... ugh, how do we play as you?
Banned From The Ring
One of the biggest restrictions that has put off many fans is not allowing Divas to participate in every match-type available. What is the point of creating a fantasy game based on the WWE if we can't recreate that fantasy on a realistic or unrealistic level in a video game? Divas always seem to be banned from main event style matches like Table, Ladder, Hardcore, 6-Man Tag, Steel Cage, Hell In A Cell, etc. Why is it so hard to allow them into these matches? It's not like it's any more immoral or improper to use Divas in barbaric matches in a video game than to have them strip on WWE television. The Divas have already been known to not shed a single drop of blood in the SmackDown games, so why not include them in all matches? It's about time the Divas get some respect.
Calm down Melina, it's not the ref's fault you can't play.
With Trish Stratus as a former Hardcore Champion, Chyna as a former 3 time Intercontinental Champion, and divas participating in mixed tag matches, inter gender tag matches, 6 person tag matches, and battle royals; there is no reason why we should be restricted from playing as divas in any match in SmackDown vs. RAW 2009. Heck, we've even witnessed a cage match between Trish Stratus and Lita at one point, and a street fight between Melina and Mickie James on RAW in March 2007 for the WWE Woman's Championship. There is no excuse for not allowing the Divas to play in any match-type or mode for that matter.
Divas In Season Mode... No Way!
One personal wish of mine would be to have the option of selecting Divas for Season Mode. Every year we see and play through a season mode that is catered toward the WWE or World Titles in conjunction with a very limited playable roster. The lower card superstars are no where to be seen and the Divas are barred as well. The only time we come across Divas in season mode is during a story-line that involves them as managers, eye candy, or just arm candy. The last time I checked, the WWE has various championships such as the WWE/World/ECW Title, Intercontinental Title, United States Title, WWE/World Tag Team Titles, & Woman's Title. Season Mode should revolve around all of these championships and in this case, I would love to see a season mode available for Divas. Season Mode should be a different experience every time you choose to chase for a particular championship. With Divas running the show, we should experience the life of a Diva.
It's like a sausage fest in here.
A Diva specific season mode would add a lot of diversity to the SmackDown series as it would give players and current diva fans more of a reason to play as the divas and their favorite female created superstars. In the past, creating a female superstar simply meant that the C-A-S would be limited to a few match-types or modes, if any. Exploring the life of a diva in season mode should be full of alliances, back stabbings, diva styled matches such as bra and panties, lingerie, pillow fight, paddle on a pole, as well as the more serious matches. Throw in some cinematic bikini or lingerie contests for variety during special events or PPV's. Give us the ability to manage someone and cut them loose at any moment. Let us be able to trash talk or make friends backstage with others. Our actions should have an effect on how season mode plays out. Beating up a partner in a tag match should have a consequence. Being an unbiased special guest referee should have a consequence. These are just a few of the things that I would love to see in a Diva Season Mode.
Create-A-Move Set... If You Can.
With every passing SmackDown game, the Create-A-Move Set Mode seems to get more restricted each time. In the past, we could assign almost every available move into our move-set, and now it seems that our options are getting much more restricted with the introduction of weight classes or fighting styles. The concept of restricting certain moves from particular weight classes or fighting styles is a step in the right direction, but it is still very flawed. When I create divas with versatile move-sets such as Beth Phoenix, Victoria, Trish Stratus, Chyna, etc, I am restricted from many moves.
In SmackDown vs RAW 2007, the weight class of a superstar determined the moves available to his/her move-set. This posed a huge problem when someone like Chyna or Beth Phoenix belong to the light heavyweight class and they were restricted from having power moves, which seemed to be available to weight classes in the heavyweight to super heavyweight class. Even Victoria is a diva-weight wrestler and she has been known to rough up the other divas with some power moves.
Look at the strength of Beth Phoenix!
In SmackDown vs RAW 2008, fighting styles were introduced and that hindered the move availability even more. A strong and powerful Diva such as Beth Phoenix is restricted from having a Power Fighting Style because her real weight would classify her as a light heavyweight. This means that while Beth possessed a Power Fighting Style, she could not select the fighting style or power moves belonging to the Power Fighter because she did not weigh enough to be a heavy or super heavyweight. How can creating Beth Phoenix be any fun if we can't give her a realistic move-set? Playing as a C-A-S that looks like Beth is one thing, but if she can't wrestle the way Beth would in real life, then where is the fun in that?
The same applies to many other fighting styles in which someone like Ashley Massaro is a Showman and Brawler at heart, but is restricted from performing a few of her high-flying moves. I should not have to change her fighting style to "high-flyer" just to access a couple of moves because doing so will hinder either her showman or brawler abilities/move options and enable her to perform other unwanted high-flyer specific moves or abilities.
That does it for part 1 of this article.
Hope you enjoyed the IGN style article. Feel free to comment with your thoughts or suggest future article topics.