One thing the UFC has lacked for a long time is a really good video game.  Sure, there are some decent UFC games out there, but nothing that comes anywhere near capturing the nebulous world of mixed martial arts in the way that UFC delivers.  Having lagged behind superior Boxing and Wrestling titles for years, it looks like UFC fans are finally going to get a chance to get a feeling for what it is like to be in the octagon.

The trailer for the game premiered at E3 as part of THQ's next gen line up.   The company is notorious for releasing sub par playability based around huge brands, but the line-up at E3 seemed to show a shift in strategy for the company.  With developers just now catching up to the capabilities of consoles like the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, it is naturally time for THQ to either get with the times, or stay in the past.

The footage shown from the UFC game featured ultra realistic physics and near photographic quality character rendering.  THQ execs were quick to point out that the reel did not, however, represent actual game play but more or less represented the benchmark they hope to achieve.

Putting that disappointing fact aside for a moment, the footage was incredible and definitely looked like the aim was to capture the versatility of the various fighting styles that are prevalent in UFC.  Now all that THQ needs to do is prove their programmers are up to the task of converting what is essentially a piece of computer animation into a living breathing game with challenging AI and genuine playability.

THQ also showed off their highly touted WWE title that contained similar next gen features. This time, the game revealed was in a completed state for the Nintendo WII.  Smackdown Vs Raw 2008 was a huge improvement over 2007, and indications are that THQ's coders are up to the task of bringing their UFC ‘movie' into players hands.


- Jon Lachonis, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: Thq
(Image from YouTUBE)