THQ Inc. and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. today announced an agreement with PC-Online game developer Vertigo Games for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online (working title). Scheduled for release in Asia in late 2010, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online will mark the debut of the popular SmackDown vs. Raw franchise in the PC-online space.
"We are pleased to bring the #1 fighting franchise, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw, to an online format, offering gamers an immersive online experience based on the world of the WWE," said Brian Farrell, president and CEO of THQ. "We view the online game market as an important driver of future growth and this new title further expands our portfolio of great games for this exciting market."
"Now more than ever, fans can become their favorite Superstar in a WWE virtual world of their own creation," said Nelo Lucich, senior vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. "Our entry into the online arena allows us to reach sophisticated gamers with unique and compelling content, engrossing fans in their own personalized WWE world."
"We are very excited about the opportunity to work with THQ, one of the world's leading videogame publishers, to develop the first PC-online version of the blockbuster WWE SmackDown vs. Raw franchise," said Junk Kim, CEO, Vertigo Games. "We plan to deploy our deep online technology and development experience to deliver a highly successful SmackDown vs. Raw game in the online space."
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online marks THQ's fourth game in development exclusively for the growing PC online market, following an MMO game based on the popular Warhammer 40,000 universe, Company of Heroes Online, and Dragonica, a casual MMO.
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Online is a fighting action game that allows players to enter the world of the WWE and play as their favorite Superstar. Players can create their own Superstar to compete and seek virtual wealth and fame in order to achieve the ultimate ranking in the Hall of Fame. Offering single player and multi-player modes, players can earn respect and points to unlock special features, items and level up their rankings. Players can purchase additional items, abilities and themes to enhance and personalize their Superstar in this exciting head-to-head online wrestling experience. The game will offer ongoing content updates and features to enhance the players' experience as they progress through the ranks, as well as season mode. Players will also be able to enter the lobby to challenge opponents, shop or interact with other connected players. WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Online provides the ultimate wrestling experience appealing to both beginner and advanced PC-online players.
Established by experienced veterans of online game industry in Korea, Vertigo Games, Inc. has been developing PC-online games from 2006 starting from their first title, Black Shot, a military FPS massively online game. After merging Radio Games of the world 1st online martial arts fighting online game, Kwonho, in 2007, Vertigo Games has been growing with three projects including a co-development with Chinese Our Games. Vertigo's core technology is called "Magellan Engine" which is a proven strong platform consists of efficient and flexible modules that can be easily integrated into an massively online game. SmackDown vs Raw Online will be their 4th project to date. You can visit http://www.vertigogames.co.kr for more detail.
