How stupid of us - we frogot to ask about the storylines in the game! So - how does the PWX team plan to build the storyline?Is there going to be a storyline at all?Are there going to be championship belts matches like WWF No Mercy,or Career Mode like in MDickie's games?What's with that?
I'm actually pretty sure they're doing a "Touring" mode where you start your wrestler off and get to travel the world to different feds and whatnot. However last time I asked about this was quite a long time ago so I don't know what has changed.
We aren't working on story mode any further until gameplay is solid...and we find another $500k to develop it. There is a Touring mode and story mode planned but not fully designed. There are a few chapters of GREAT story mode script written but it hasn't been taken any farther than that. We got seriously screwed earlier this year and all remaining funds had to go to gameplay.
Just a set of progressively more difficult opponents, with the odd title belt along the way would do nicely for me. Do it Tekken style and have a ludicrous end story when you beat the big boss at the end. Dane could open a hairdressers.
I sort of wanted a "write your own story mode" kind of approach that has been detailed elsewhere. Honestly, if you guys are gonna make concessions to a point where your game has a solid wrestling engine and does almost NOTHING the WWE games CAN do, then what's the point? I mean, we have Firepro and KOC for that.
I want the best of both worlds. I've personally always envisioned PWX as a "create your own wrestling game", which is pretty much why I'm excited for it.
But everytime I see you guys type something up, it's "oh, we're not focusing on modes because we want to focus on gameplay" or now "we're not focusing on the storymode because we want to focus on gameplay". What's next? The CAW? Is PWX going to be a barebones budget release? Is that what we're aiming for now? I realize that all the aspirations that a lot of us have had for years for this game might be a bit lofty, but come on. This is not the era of fucking WCW/nWo Revenge. In my wrestling games, I want a bloody story mode. I want at least halfway decent entrances. I want passable character designs and graphics. These are conventional things now.
I realize gameplay is the most important thing, but that doesn't mean it's the only thing. Just flinging a basic wrestling engine out at us with a CAW is not why we proudly wore a ton of shirts with Xs on em stating that we believe.
We believed because we thought you could actually make something better than the WWE product. Not something that is inferior in every aspect except gameplay.
You have to be realistic, you can't expect them to have the budget to compete with the biggest WWE game franchise that has been working on games for almost 10 years now and refining them (even if they do a bad job at it sometimes). You are being overly dramatic, because this isn't something that's going to dethrone WWE Smackdown all in one fell swoop, right when the game is released it will probably seem a little plain until they release online extras etc. And if no one buys the first PWX game, there won't be a sequel, think about it. You have to be patient, they can't please everyone, if they did this game would never make it out, because everyone wants something different. Storyline isn't important, gameplay is, and that's what needs to be worked on for the first PWX.
I only really play story modes to unlock things in the game - otherwise i can just set my own matches up and make my own story lines. It is cool when something in a story mode makes you laugh but i'll get over it. As long as the game plays well, has a decent CAW mode and has more match gimmicks than KOC I'll be okay.
It's just a matter of killing one bird at a time and making sure it's really dead. In the past we tried to tackle everything at once and progress was at a snail's pace, if at all. We're too small of a team to tackle more than a few features at once and do them properly. I want a fun story mode as badly as anyone, it's important. I just don't have the manpower to tackle it full force at the moment. Gameplay first.
dratsab & Krow, you guys may be missing DO's point. On the other boards (the ones run by Cube we had before this one), he was consistently one of the most intelligent contributing members we had, and his points and ideas always made sense in the end, even when they started out odd. And he's absolutely right about the fact that this game is supposed to be the best of both worlds. Me, I'm foaming at the mouth over the possibility of a decent Create-a-Belt mode, and I've gotten roundly trashed by some others for that.
Dave, while it's great that you guys are working on making the gameplay as solid as possible, it WOULD be nice for us to know if (especially considering Mel's gone now) there's ANY possibility for us to do something Story Mode-wise, even if we WON'T be able to make our own stories for a while after the release.
Guys, I've been with WGU since a few months after WMX8 came out, and have seen pretty much the entirety of the project's development unfold.
Throughout that entire timespan, one of the main points related to the game was that concessions were NOT going to be made as it relates to content because the team was small or because it would take too much time or whatever.
If I wanted a good no-frills wrestling game with an awesome CAW and great gameplay, I ALREADY have choices for that. I have Firepro. I have KOC. I don't need a no-frills PWX. I want fucking frills.
I want fully creatable entrances. I want a story mode that beats the shit out of anything the Smackdown games has to offer. I want to create my own wrestling universe with my own Feds and my own storylines. I want a fucking pony. I want PWX to trash fucking Smackdown from the get-go.
These were the dreams of Wrestling Fucking Games United. Are they currently resting in peace?
On another note, I've always offered my help as it relates to story mode. The offer still stands.
See this is being overly dramatic, you cannot dethrone Smackdown all at once, it's illogical. PWX is going to start small and get bigger over time with mods and sequels. Sure we all want a dramatic victory where PWX comes in and saves the day from the evil Ykes/THQ corporation that makes games for the very vile reason of wanting to take money from our pockets. But PWX is going to build over time, not just be released with every move ever done in wrestling, every possible match type, a season mode that goes for 25 years and never has the same cutscene twice, and triple tier cage matches right way.
If you want PWX to dethrone every other wrestling game when it's released, I guarantee you that you WILL be disapointed when PWX is finally released DO. I imagine over time it will be atleast one of the best wrestling games out, but it's not going to do it on vanilla release.
See what I wanna see, is the game comes out, let's say hypothetically, Holiday Season, so Thanksgiving 07. The initial sales gives Dave and "tha crew" (I came up with that name myself) the ability to work on a biz-itchin' story mode, which is released (god willing) one to two months later. Then we all rejoice. And a gold edition is released some time later encompassing all the bitchin' mods.
On the storyline side of things my dream modes would be
1.train youself up in 1v1 matches against an "old skool legend" trainer 2.Work the indys at least 2 or 3 different indy feds 3.Push for either a tag team/midcard indy title 4.Be able to jump from indy fed to indy fed to rack up other titles from different feds. After winning either 1 or 2 Major indy titles make the leap to International Wrestling 5.Go to EURO/JAP/MEX feds and make a name for yourself abroad 6.After winning 1 major title from a foreign fed return to TV Wrestling 7.Work your way up a majpr company and compete for either midcard betl or tag team belts 8.Defend your midcard or tag team belts eventually storyline plot makes u lose them 9.Push for a main event status by winning in good matches and then push for the Heavyweight Belt 10.Defend you belt international
I know it'll never happen but wot do u reckon guys
On a sidenote will the fans judgement of how u wrestle matches determine how well you do, IE. just hammering the same move will make them boo you, always doing the same thing, finishing without a highspot or finishing manovuer etc..will make the boo you mean you dont do as well in storyline/career mode?
I ask cos i feel that wrestling is nothing without the fans and neither are wrestlers .... so they should be more involved in storyline and match outcomes
Anyway wot do u reckon guys (come on gimme me some response I aint hardly had any from my other various questions)
Posted by Dratsab "See this is being overly dramatic, you cannot dethrone Smackdown all at once, it's illogical. PWX is going to start small and get bigger over time with mods and sequels."
What's illogical is releasing an incomplete game and then adding to it later. Adding content is one thing. Adding something as enormous as a story mode post-release is fucking silly. PWX will not sell well unless it has something new and interesting to offer the casual gamer and unless it reviews well with the gaming media. It doesn't have to dethrone Smackdown, but it has to be able to offer things that Smackdown does not in order to compete. Just offering "better gameplay" is quite fucking shady. You remember how well the NA Firepro localizations for the GBA sold? No? You don't? Exactly.
Now stop being a giant bitch and expecting the lowest common denominator. Stuff like that is what THQ caters to. Ideas like "start small and get bigger over time" are what cause each iteration of Smackdown to be thrown out at us with bargain-basement improvements and roster updates.
I don't care if this game is released in 2010. We've waited this long. We can wait a while longer for a complete game and not something half-assed. (/end rant)
On another note, how the hell do we quote shit on here?
"Stuff like that is what THQ caters to. Ideas like "start small and get bigger over time" are what cause each iteration of Smackdown to be thrown out at us with bargain-basement improvements and roster updates."
Yeah you are right, they are doing horrible in sales aren't they?
"On another note, how the hell do we quote shit on here?"
Like you just did above, and like I'm doing now.
"What's illogical is releasing an incomplete game and then adding to it later."
Put words in my mouth more please. If you read what Dave said, he said that gameplay is what's getting full attention first THEN story. Story should be an after thought, it's just a novelty.
"You remember how well the NA Firepro localizations for the GBA sold? No? You don't? Exactly."
I also don't remember any commercials for it either. How about the fact it's TWO DIMENSIONAL? The people who took the time to look up whether the game had a story mode or not were probably the only ones who bought it in the first place, the rest would say "firepro? What's that? Some sort of fire fighter game?"
An incomplete game is something noone is looking forward to but the modes Dave is always talking about are just small addings like costumes arenas and maybe moves. Noone said anythink about a game with no story mode we all know that if a wrestling game has no story it is incomplete but DarkOffspring try to uderstand man the story(championship ) mode is saved for last cause the animations and gameplay are much harder to do that's why almost noone from PWX talks about it
I think a Story Mode should be optional, it doesn't make it incomplete. Storymode is something you do to either unlock things, or if you get bored of doing random matches.
There's a long list of reasons why the GBA Fire Pro games sold poorly and one of those reasons is arguably lack of story mode. "Better gameplay" is so objective and we obviously can't cross our fingers and expect PWX to succeed based purely on that. For every gamer that likes PWX gameplay I'm sure there will be at least one person who hates it. To compete with WWE games we have to offer a valuable advantage that can be easily communicated, preferably via images. Would lack of a story mode hurt PWX sales? Easily. But without licensed wrestlers even a fantastic story mode will be a hard sell. I want a story mode (and career mode) as badly as anyone else, but we can't deny there is a challenge in making it relevant to most gamers ("Is Hulk Hogan in the game?").
Personally, I believe the very concept of Story Mode needs to be rethought. I agree that most of us view story modes as nothing more than a requirement to unlock shit. We need a better reason than that. People need to WANT to play story mode for the story.
Technically, developing the Story Mode feature is relatively easy to do and that's why it's a bit further down the priority list. We need to spend our resources eliminating as much technical risk as possible and move down the list from there. If we've made any mistakes so far (ho ho!) we've concentrated too much on producing art content when we should have completely developed the entire game with blank stick figures first.
Yo Dave stop complaining about not having any licensed and famous wrestlers.I mean that's easy to add afterall only the names of the wrestlers are licensed there taunts moves and clothes are a completely free zone.U can add the costumes taunts and moves in the CAW just like WWE did in a lot of games when competing with WCW. If everyone knew that they could create a WWE or TNA superstar on PWX and also have a better gameplay than SvR PWX will probably win an award for the most popular game of the year.
See? Dave says the same thing... only less angrily.
Darkoffspring Said: "Stuff like that is what THQ caters to. Ideas like "start small and get bigger over time" are what cause each iteration of Smackdown to be thrown out at us with bargain-basement improvements and roster updates."
Dratsab Said: Yeah you are right, they are doing horrible in sales aren't they?"
Come on, dude. Don't be idiotic. THQ is doing well in sales because a) They have a license. b) Their game isn't HORRIBLE (anymore). Even if it were horrible, it would STILL do well in sales, due to strong marketing and their fucking LICENSE. Each iteration of FIFA. NHL, Madden, etc, etc do the same thing. Do they sell? Yes. Does that make it right? No.
Come on, Dratsab... do you think there will be commercials for PWX? No. The way that this game will sell is if is reviewed well by the gaming media and through word of mouth. A 3d Firepro will sadly NOT cut it (though that would quite nearly make me happy). I'll repeat myself for those that are hard of hearing.
In order for this game to succeed, it has to offer things that other wrestling games do NOT.
As it pertains to what Dave said, I think what we need is to reevaluate what a story mode is. I don't think anyone here is kidding themselves into thinking that they WON'T be putting every real wrestler under the sun into this game on their own time.
As such, a specific story mode starring specific people is out. What needs to be done, I believe, is a more basic EWR type-setup, where individual, unrelated storylines are written that occur throughout a person's career, both randomly and through his own actions. Like invading another promotion... or getting into a bloodfeud with someone... or having interviews... challenging the #1 contender at Wrestlemania... or whatever.
Throughout the entire game, the character's ascent through their career would be the underlying thread, obviously... the other angles would be like side-stories. Does that make any sense to any one other than me? If not, I'll try to clarify. Toodles.
Ah Darkoffspring, that is the perfect idea but one thing to add could career mode be like the up and coming succseser "The Wrestling Game" when you practice on one move at a time to make them have greater impact. You can trademark and rename any move you want. You can have a special like Death Valley driver and work on it to the point that it's modiflied into a F-U or F-5 or the Reverse FU. Have any move able to be modiflied into some great move. You use the photo shop to create your own merchdise like Shirts, pendents, caps, and headbands and you'll come out every time you promo you wear it. Promos should be like how you do in E-feds writing them or with a personal mic. All you got of do is pick the person you'll calling out and the topic and purpose.
Did I go to far PWX_Dave plz tell me what you think
Really Dave I would try and create a Create a Story Editor and get that released to the public and let us just write some storylines and submit them. It might kill some workload albeit the creation of such an editor would add some
I have to agree that the main reason I will get a game is the story/franchise mode. However I understand why it is down on the priority list for you right now.
Will I buy PWX without story mode? Probably (of course I will I'm a junkie lol)
Will I buy PWX with story mode/editor? The second it's released and encourage everyone I know to get it ASAP!
Bottom line imo is Hardcore Wrestling fans are going to eat up this game no matter what. The casual fan is going to need a hook of some sort. To me being able to mod a story mode and share them online would be a huge selling point, since it adds replayability and value to the game.
Just as valdik said earlier, I don't think that the lack of a real life superstars should be that confusing. Yes, the casual gamers will never play the game with no Triple H or Undertaker in it... But there are not so many of them as we all think:) If the game itself is good, I can assure you - many people will be veeeeery happy;) BTW, hi to everybody:) You might remember me from a gamefaqs board.
Given the fact that, at best, this game is supposed to contain customizable music and the ability to edit your CAW parts within photoshop, if you want Triple H in the game, there's very little stopping you.
Unless PWX could come up with a creative wrestling character, sort of like a mascot for PWX that grabs people's attention and becomes the next snake, mario, sonic, etc. If you could find a character that is unique and doesn't just feel like "well until you get around to making your own guys, here is a generic alternative". If you can do that, maybe market him on the box art, or get money to put him in some form of advertisement, then you might could sell more. just n idea that hit me when you guys were talking abot HHH, undertaker, etc.
EDIT: Maybe we could all throw in some ideas on what the perfect character would be for this, that way if the character gets some importance, it has a story fitting to the game's theme. Like Starman from NES, who doesn't love him?
Oh,yeah!If you make a storyline,make it with one person - he is starring the game.He has to have a beautiful name,a strong and deep personality,a hero style...he has to be perfect.Market it with him and bingo - Creative Wrestlig Character... Just an idea... :)
people might like Teryo and Kerio lawyu or Mumbles and Daddy Mack. They both have personilys that are differnt. What do any body thing of my other ideas i posted before
I think taking Spoody and editing him around to make him more unique (I can't do it in wm21 because I worrk with what I'm given, gah!) would form into a cool comical PWX wrestler. Here is a picture of him:
I was reaching for a simple wrestler (tights,elbow and knee pads,simple hair and all simple as a wrestlers) who has a personality everyone will love,he has no "boss" attitude - he is a newcomer,he hopes the best will happen to him,he deals with the sh!t around him,he also has to have "supporting characters" (Four - 2 friends,the love of his wrestling life and the last I leave to Dave to decide :P) The storyline should put him in a position where he is put between a rock and a hard place and only he and his good will and braveness can get him (and his friends) out... At the end he gets what everyone wants...Happy ending for everyone and then the real action begins - everything in-game unlocked and you are ready to kick ass in kewl match modes Hmm...kinda arcadey,but still...
You should be able to take any character through story mode. Playinh though with a character I probably cant relate to? Gey, super gey. lol. But really... How about juanita the tranny prostitute. I'm watching cops, and that is a real person, so you could get in trouble for likeness... lol.
[quote][cite] DarkOffspring:[/cite]Given the fact that, at best, this game is supposed to contain customizable music and the ability to edit your CAW parts within photoshop, if you want Triple H in the game, there's very little stopping you.[/quote] Except, of course, for common sense (which DO has in spades)...but then again that's not what most people have. We're basically SPLIT now on whether to have a story mode or not in the initial release, but it's generally assumed by all of us that HAVING some sort of story-based Booking mode can only HELP sales...
[quote][cite] dratsab:[/cite]I think taking Spoody and editing him around to make him more unique (I can't do it in wm21 because I worrk with what I'm given, gah!) would form into a cool comical PWX wrestler. Here is a picture of him:
[quote][cite] dratsab:[/cite][quote][cite] DarkOffspring:[/cite]I personally believe that we shouldn't be shoehorned into using a specific character for a story mode.[/quote]
I'm not saying we should, I'm just saying we should have characters already in PWX that don't just feel like generic guys.[/quote]
I like the idea of a mascot type character to get peoples attention. How about a heel champion, like Rick Flair in his prime. Someone you love to hate. Beating him for the championship, after working your way up the ranks, could be the goal for the storyline.
For the "mascot" wrestler, we need TWO wrestlers to face off against each other (much in the same way as a couple of those old promotional renders from a few years back involving Tirador and stuff), one (the face) who looks like your standard black-trunks wrestling school standout, and the other (the heel) wearing crazy-patterned oversized wet-look wrestling pants...and with names that DON'T sound like they'd win BACKYARD championships, but rather names that befit REAL wrestling champions the way names like Ric Flair (tweener), Chris Benoit (face), Steve Austin (tweener), Chris Jericho (heel), Rey Mysterio (lucha face), and hell, even Sid Vicious (monster heel) did.
Names like some I'm using on some of my more experimental characters, like Ellison Kohl (young up-and-coming cocky face).
And oh yeah, put up the Mascot Thread so we don't take this one over.