Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011 E-Mail From the GM

We have just received word from THQ that a brand new function will be added to exhibition mode. After you have selected your match type and competitors, the anonymous General Manager will randomly pipe in and change your match. He/she might select a different match type, a different stipulation, or even a different competitor. There is no word yet on whether or not this option can be turned off, but it does leave an element of surprise to exhibition mode. Stay tuned for more news as it comes in.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 Wellness Policy

In July of 2007, a tragic event took the wrestling world by storm. No, it wasn't Vince McMahon's limo explosion. No, it wasn't Bobby Lashley being drafted to the Raw brand. You all know what event I'm referring to and the implications: the WWE's Wellness Policy became strictly enforced and several wrestlers were suspended for abusing steroids and other medications. Backstage drug use was toned down and many wrestlers became noticeably smaller.

THQ took notice of this and has given fans something new: the Wellness Policy. Within the match options menu, players can choose to turn off the Wellness Policy, creating drastic changes to the wrestlers' appearances. Instead of the models we've seen in previous Smackdown games, wrestlers will look more like super heroes stolen from the pages of a comic book. They're bulkier, much larger, and able to pull off moves we will probably never see in the ring. The "action figure" physiques are somewhat unrealistic, but that is why THQ made it an option and not the only choice.

"We had a focus group test the new models and received a mixed response. Some people liked the idea of larger than life wrestlers, while others thought they were outlandish and cartoony," said THQ Director of Graphic Design Todd Wellington. "This was an idea we considered putting in previous games, but the timing just wasn't right...or appropriate."

We had a chance to get a quick demo of the new option and noticed that the graphics and grapples are reminiscent of Def Jam Vendetta. It's an interesting, yet controversial addition to the series and we're not sure if it will receive as warm a welcome as other changes to this year's game.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 GM Mode

If there is one thing Smackdown fans have been dying to see, it's the return of the infamous General Manager Mode. This is a mode meant for the die-hard fan who has booking in their blood. If you've ever wanted to schedule a wrestling event from top to bottom, then Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 will give you that power and so much more.

While the revamped GM mode has some of the same elements as previous games in the series, there is a lot more depth in 2011. Instead of just dealing with wrestlers and setting up matches, you are now in charge of everyone and everything that goes on in the WWE. This means that not only are wrestlers and managers available to hire, but cameramen, writers, ticket takers, massage therapists, doctors, lawyers, and even janitors. Using their age, level of education, and monetary needs, you'll be able to choose which makeup artist is perfect for your divas....or which cameraman gets the best footage....or which hot dog vendor brings in the most money.

Have no fear! These are not the only changes. Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 will also add several exciting things for you to do on days when RAW and Smackdown are not on the air. After all, a lot more goes on behind the scenes when superstars are not on camera. The photo to the left is an example of the exciting events that take place daily during a normal month.

This year's GM mode will give you a sense that you're really part of the WWE and not just a dream matchmaker. Keep an eye out for it this holiday season!

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 Twenty Wrestlers in the Ring/Two Referees

You read that correctly folks! For the first time, wrestling fans will be able to experience the action of having twenty competitors in the ring at once. Let the carnage commence!

Fans of the Smackdown franchise have seen a slow increase in the number of wrestlers each year. With the power of the PS3 and XBox360, THQ has been able to program twenty wrestlers in the same ring...at the same time. On top of this, the Royal Rumble match will include two referees. That's a possibility of twenty-two characters on a single screen!

When asked how players will keep up with the action, THQ had little to say.

"We're working on several different methods to improve the targeting system. It's something we've had trouble with in the past, but we're trying to come up with something unique and innovative."

Unfortunately, Wii owners will be limited to eight competitors in the ring. Have no fear our Wii-mote swinging wrestling fanatics--hope is on the way. That important news concerning the Wii version is just around the corner. Stay tuned!

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 Custom Pole Match

Pole match. When someone says these two words, what images come to mind? A few of you might think that two wrestlers battle each other with steel rods. Others may picture something more perverse or homoerotic. However, a select few wrestling fans know exactly what a pole match is and will be excited to know that it has been included in Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. Not only will it be present in this year's game, but it will be 100% customizable. Fill in the blank if you don't get our drift.

________________ on a pole.

That's right. Anything you can take a picture of can dangle from the pole and be used as a weapon. The possibilities are limitless. THQ gave us a fantastic scenario involving two friends and a single slice of pizza. After arguing over who gets the last slice, they decide instead to put the slice on a pole. They take a picture of the slice, upload it to their PS3 or Xbox360, and then have the ability to place it on the pole (sorry wii, but you're out on this one-have no fear though, THQ has quite a surprise in store for you). Once the match begins, any wrestler who tries to climb the turnbuckle triggers a minigame. Win the mini game and the weapon is yours to do with as you please. Prior to the match, a sliding meter in the options screen allows players to determine how much damage the weapon can do. After all, a slice of pizza should not be as powerful as a chainsaw or a baby. Of course it could be if you wanted it to; 100% customization.

While we're not going into detail just yet, we will soon announce one of the modes that will only be available for the Wii version of the game. We'll keep you posted!

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 In Your House?

The fine folks at THQ have delved deep into the WWE's past to bring their newest match to Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. The concept of "In Your House!" is exactly as it sounds: players will wrestle inside and outside a large, suburban home.

All the rooms you would expect to be in a home are present, including the kitchen, living room, bedrooms, bathroom, garage, gym, and laundry room. Each room has different "hot spots" that trigger unique moves. For example, the player will be able to give their opponent a classic "swirly" in the bathroom, while a unique move in the laundry room will see the player bashing their opponent's head in with the dryer door. Our favorite, however, are the multiple garden tools in the garage. It's something you'll have to see to believe.

Two outdoor environments can also be unlocked during career mode: front yard and pool-side. The front yard has access to the street and passing cars, while the pool-side allows the player to perform turnbuckle moves from a diving board.

Throughout the mid-90's, WWE held many Pay-Per-Views using the tag-line "In Your House!" Several commercials produced during this time inspired THQ to bring this mode to life. "In Your House!" will be a separate match option in exhibition mode, while also playing a part in one of the Road to Wrestlemania story lines (think Triple H invading Randy Orton's home a few years back). We'll keep you updated as more info is released!

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 New HIAC

A UK gaming magazine has published a new photo of the upcoming Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. In the photo, you can clearly see a ladder inside what looks like either the regular cage or the HIAC (Hell in a Cell). Is this confirmation that weapons will be usable inside the cage? That's been on the wish lists of several drooling Smackdown fanboys for the last couple of years. The other interesting thing to note in this photo is the appearance of Kelly Kelly. From this photo, it looks like she is actually in the ring, but it's uncertain at this time if she is a competitor. It's also possible that this is a beta of the game and current gender restrictions will apply once the game is launched during the holiday season.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 Bret "The Hitman" Hart

Bret "The Hitman" Hart will make his video game return as a non-playable manager in Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. He will also be a huge part of one character's "Road to Wrestlemania". It hasn't been confirmed, but we're keeping our fingers crossed for a Hart Dynasty tag team story line. Others believe that a Vince McMahon story could also be in the works.

Regardless, Bret will be rocking his glasses, custom leather jacket, and the jean shorts we've recently seen him in. Here's hoping for a DLC Legend version of the Hitman.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 Blood Bath

While WWE programming has been toned down over the last few years to earn a PG rating, the Smackdown vs. Raw series will continue to carry the T Rating granted by the ESRB. This is good news for those fans who enjoy a bit of blood and realism when it comes to using weapons.

In a recent press release, THQ made it clear that the blood effects in this year's game have been improved upon. Similar to the way tables will break differently each time, wrestlers will respond to weapon attacks in very different ways.

The scenario used in the press release is as follows:

Players will be able to use a variety of weapons under and around the ring. Chairs, Singapore canes, sledgehammers, ladders, the ring bell, and over twenty other weapons will be usable and cause varying levels of damage. A wrestler hit over the head with a chair multiple times will be cut open and begin to bleed. As the match progresses, the blood will flow from the injured wrestler and stain the canvas. If the same wrestler takes a cane shot to the chest over and over again, a cut will form and bleed. This will cause more blood and quite a mess in the ring. The blood will also appear on weapons and the opponent. The cuts will never be in the same place twice and are directly related to where the wrestler is hit. For the squeamish, blood can be turned off in the match options menu.

While this isn't something WWE fans expected to be in this year's game, it's a welcome surprise. We'll keep you posted as the news comes in.

Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 Strap Match

THQ has confirmed that its latest addition to the Smackdown series will contain the strap match as a selectable match type. After receiving a positive response to the inferno match in its last two incarnations, THQ decided that adding new and innovative match types is the way to go.

"We really wanted to include a match that fans have never seen before in a wrestling game," stated Bobby Hodges, senior consumer analyst for THQ. "The strap match has been around forever and we felt that its inclusion in Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 will add new levels of depth and strategy to the terrific gameplay fans are already accustomed to."

When asked about the mechanics of the strap match, THQ had no problem shelling out the details.

"Both players will be tied to each other by an 8 foot leather strap. The wrestlers will then be limited to how far they can distance themselves from one another. Depending on the amount of stamina the wrestler currently has at any given moment effects their ability to manipulate the strap in their favor. If their stamina is high, they can pull their opponent around the ring like a dog on a leash. If their stamina is low, their opponent will do most of the pulling. We are proud to announce that "quick" yanks of the strap will use the SIXAXIS motion controls. With a quick tug of the controller, players can tug their opponents around, setting them up for high power moves."

The use of the SIXAXIS motion controls is a first for the Smackdown vs. Raw series.

"When the wrestlers are close to each other, pressing R3 will initiate what we've deemed as the "strap" grapple. Once R3 is clicked, the player can choose from four different moves that take advantage of the strap."

THQ was not at liberty to go into details concerning the strap moves, but Hodges did make a choking motion when describing the new grapple. Unfortunately, moves from the top of the turnbuckle and leaving the ring will not be possible in the strap match this year.

With this exciting edition announced, we're looking forward to getting our hands on Smackdown vs. Raw 2011!