2010 MMA Gaming Preview Thread - UFC Undisputed: 2010 and EA Sports MMA

CONTROLS: In UFC 2009 Undisputed, clinch grappling and ground grappling were handled with multiple control schemes, which could be cumbersome to juggle depending on the fighter's orientation. This year, we undertook a new design philosophy that allowed us to better align our clinch grappling and ground grappling. In essence, players will now perform clinch pummels and throws using the ultimate fighting control the same way they performed transitions in UFC 2009 Undisputed.

SUBMISSIONS: While we've done quite a bit of tinkering with the submission system, the stick rolling method of submission execution and escape (known semiofficially as The Shine) will return. What we did want to change was the button mashing/brute force escape we utilized last year. This enabled fighters with high strength to be just as good at getting out of submissions as fighters with high submission defense. Now all fighters will utilize The Shine, but the parameters that govern the success of getting out of a submission have changed. For UFC Undisputed 2010, the submission calculations will use either a fighter's submission defense or his current energy level expressed as a percentage--whichever is higher. For example, let's say a fighter has a submission defense skill of 50. If the fighter has 100 stamina and full (100 percent) energy, the game will look at this energy level, and the fighter will have a great chance of getting out of a submission. If the fighter has 100 stamina and has used the majority of his energy reserves, the game will look at the fighter's submission defense skill; in this case, shine hard! We feel this system is fairer to players and more representative of how an actual submission struggle would go down.

CAGE SUPPORT: We've implemented full cage support in UFC Undisputed 2010, and its effect on gameplay is huge. Our design approach to implementing cage gameplay allowed us to utilize our universal grapple system concept. On the ground, we have a rising hierarchy of positional advantage based on how much threat potential one fighter has in relation to another. In the case of two equally skilled fighters in open guard, for instance, the fighter on top is in a slightly better situation than the fighter on the bottom. We express this by saying the top fighter has a 55/45 advantage over the bottom fighter, expressed in the damage output of his strikes, the lethality of his submissions, etc. Put the same two fighters in the mount position, for instance, and that advantage changes to something much more dramatic, like say a 90/10 in favor of the top fighter. We've utilized similar thinking with regard to the cage. Let's say we have the same two equally skilled fighters in the single collar tie position in the middle of the octagon. We consider this position to be one in which both fighters have equal advantage--a true 50/50 position. If one fighter manages to push his opponent up against the cage, he'll restrict his movement, limit the force he's able to generate on his strikes, and make it harder for him to regain energy; thus, shifting the balance in the favor of the free-standing fighter. It's an elegant system that we feel accurately represents the strategies employed in a real UFC fight.

FIGHTER CUSTOMIZATION: For UFC Undisputed 2010, we've substantially increased the number of available parts for creation, but we've also added a ton of new features and improvements. One of the biggest changes from the previous game is the way we allow players to allocate individual moves for their fighters. Last year, we had base styles, each of which came with a set of predefined moves. This meant that all Brazilian jujitsu (BJJ) fighters had the same moves and techniques as other BJJ fighters. We wanted to change that this year, so we opened it up and now allow players to assign individual moves to their fighters on a move-by-move basis. There are well over 200 moves that can be assigned, mixed, and matched to create truly unique fighters. Also new this year is the ability to fight orthodox, southpaw, or switch and assign a dominate power hand. Players can also choose their navigation style from a number of different postures to give their fighters more of a distinct look.

SPONSORSHIP & LOGOS: The new system, which we've also applied to the placement of tattoos, uses more of a drag-and-drop style interface. Gone are the predefined spots where logos can only be placed and the series of menus that were required to place a logo. This year, it's as simple as picking shorts, picking a logo, and choosing its location on the shorts. Speaking of clothing, many top brands in MMA are back, along with some new ones, so players will have access to an extensive assortment of new designs and logos. In addition, we are also allowing players to pick or create their own post-fight clothing, which is worn during winner announcement scenes and certain areas in Career mode.

CAREER MODE: Included are several new features to help build up each fight and give them more meaning. An example of this is a new system we've added called "Game Is Watching You." The GIWY system tracks everything players are doing during the fighter's career and reflects it through commentary during fights. Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg will reference the fighter's previous fights, his training partners, titles held, and other things he does during his career. Opponents will also take notice of performances and adjust their fight styles and strategies to counter strengths and take advantage of weaknesses.

FIGHTING TECHNIQUES: In addition to the six returning fighting techniques (boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, judo, and Brazilian jujitsu), three more have been added: Karate, Greco-Roman wrestling, and Sambo. We've also moved away from the concept of one striking fighting technique and one grappling fighting technique in favor of a system that allows fighters to learn individual moves as they see fit. We feel this more accurately represents the type of cross-discipline training that the modern UFC fighter needs in order to compete at the highest levels.

ONLINE FIGHT CAMPS: Fight camps unite many different fighters under a single banner to compete against fighters from other fight camps to unlock new milestones and rewards. Players can use the virtual space of their fight camp to spar and teach each other the ins and outs of the game. Players can even bring in their Career mode fighters for an online training session to train with other players and get an extra career "cred" boost. Those boosts make better fighters and those better fighters make better camps.

NEW MODES: Additions include a Title and Title Defense mode, a Tournament mode and the Classic Fights mode will return with substantial changes.

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SUBMISSIONS

HOW
Submissions are applied the same exact way as 09. Pressing the R analog.

CHANGED
No more mashing. According to Omar (game developer) submissions are performed by shine method only. Now whats different is you have the ability to do FLASH SUBS (I saw someone using Mir...In half guard he applied a shoulder lock to Carwin...Carwin instantly tapped) which is new. The ability to Submission transition (which varies depending on what fighter you are using) to go from triangle to omaplata to armbar. Which makes it soo deep...You would have to master every single fighter to know who can sub transition into what. To apply this you would press the R analog...Shine counter-clockwise...Press LB (xbox) and R analog...Shine opposite direction...Press LB (xbox) and R analog...Shine counter-clockwise. Each fighter has 1-2 sub transmissions. So this is a HUGE impact on CAF due to the fact...You dont know what sub transition your opponent has...So how will you know to hurry up and reverse your shine? Haha. The final change in submissions are the SPECIAL subs. Everyone knows Joe Stevensons bread and butter is the guillotine right? Well...Fighters have a SPECIAL sub...When they get you in it...Its even MORE difficult to get out. The highest SUB O i seen was Mir with 88 and Nog had 87. The lowest was like 58. STR DOES HAVE AN IMPACT to get out of subs as well. You still apply the Shine method...But your STR factors into it. So brock CAN escape subs. Just not as well as your SUB D 88.

SWAY

HOW
Hold RB (xbox) FLICK L ANALOG any DIRECTION

DETAILS
I found this to be a HUGE factor in ending the fight early. This system is resembles FN4 COUNTER SYSTEM. U sway from a punch...U can immediately strike back for more damage. You can double and triple sway (3 is the most u can do) to avoid a punch. Lean back duck forward uppercut. Lean left lean right left hook. You get the point. When you land...YOU KNOW YOU LANDED. I swayed ALOT. Swaying alone will make you WANT to go toe to toe with your opponent. Honestly making you totally forget that you can kick and takedown. Its THAT exciting exchanging when both of you are swaying trying to be the first to land flush. Unfortunately...Swaying can get u killed...FAST. U can sway head kicks only by leaning back...But all other kicks will land. Sometimes i did soo much swaying i got takin down at will.

LEG KICK AFFECT

HOW
Self explanatory...Keep striking the legs.

EFFECT
Wow...Just wow. They got this one right. NO you cannot check leg kicks. But i used Thiago Alves vs GSP, Hardy, Paulo etc...You will KNOW your opponent is hurting when the leg kick makes the opponents knee buckle (think rampage vs griffin). Not only did his knee buckle...Get this...His LEG KICK OUTPUT damage was less. His MOVEMENT was slowed (significant difference between no leg dmg vs hurt leg dmg). More % chance of being takin down. Basically if you shoot its guaranteed takedown. The knee turns red (strong side leg...Didnt test the weak side leg).

SIDE STEP

HOW
Same as 09.

CHANGED
No more floating to the middle of the ring with one side step. Actually...When you sidestep its basically taking a big step forward. Heres the difference.

09 Step
HERE-------------------------------------------------HERE

10 Step
HERE...................HERE

Side step jab was out. Instead...Carwin uses a lunging left hook...And a power right straight for his sidestep strikes. You can still RUN the same. But you guys know how people sidestep (or run) back and forward kick or stirke. No more. U sidestep back...you can only throw a strike without reaching. Ala the sidestep body straight punch. U cant reach like that. Its just a standard strike. So basically to land one someone would have to be sidestepping towards you for you to connect.

FLASH KOS

HOW
Self explanatory...Get lucky and land clean.

CHANGED
Well...According to Omar...They were tweaked down...ALOT. But PLAYING the game...If you land clean...And a perfectly timed strike LOOKS like a KO. Trust me. Its a KO. Elbows lean flush...KO. I got ALOT of KOS from swaying double hooks...Then landing with a uppercut from close range. It was perfectly timed. Every single KO...LOOKS like a KO.

KO MOMENT

HOW
09-Accumulate damage to a persons body part to reach near 100%
10-Omar said it was a secret and couldnt tell

CHANGED
I seen fighters get in KO MOMENT in the FIRST 10 SECONDS. No lie. I was like WTF!?!?! Omar refused to tell us WHY you can get KO MOMENT so early. The KO MOMENTS were the same as 09 so you know what it looks like. Survive and your good to go.

THE MOMENT MODE

HOW
Place a well timed strike to stagger your opponent

DETAILS
I liked this feature. If you land flush...Your opponent will stagger for a maximum of 1.2 seconds. You have to have a FAST reaction to take advantage. You can end a fight in DEVASTATING fashion if your quick enough. When your opponent is staggered you have to input your fighters commands to finish him off. For example...I used Mcsweeney and landed a backfist...It gave me a quick window of where i can input commands...I paused the game and looked what i could do from their...It listed like 4 different methods i could do. So i choose the AB one. He quickly took a fast step forward and threw a 1-2 to drop the opponent. Think of it like an instand knockdown if you can time it well.

CLINCH WORK

CHANGED
You will still use the 09 method of reaching for a single arm collar or MT clinch. But whats different are the transitions from over/under to double under. The animations are wayyy different. Actually omar even said...ALL the animations are different. You will see ALOT more clinches in fights not...Due to the fact you have to MINOR transtion to get from position to position. So if im double over and i want to get to over/under...I minor transition for it instead of pressing forward like in 09. UP and qtr circle for the LEFT arm...DOWN and qtr circle for the right. Same for the MT clinch. I personally asked this question to omar. And he said word for word "Due to undisputedonline.nets rules regarding the MT spam. We took out paralyzing strikes (MT elbows) and flick to swing the opponent around. This time...To swing the opponent...You have to minor transition to where you want him to go as well as press a button to strike. It was easier to block being swung around than have a 25% change to break a swing in MT clinch.

CAGE WORK

HOW
Use the L analog to walk your opponent to the cage...Standing in clinch or on the bottom/top on ground.

DETAILS
Wow...Im telling you...This game is soo fast paced...It really looks like a real fight. The animations are soo beautiful here. Once in the clinch standing...You walk your opponent to the cage...I found Cage work VERY OVERPOWERING. I mean think Randy couture vs Vera. You can actually keep your opponent and dirty box for awhile. Defensive players had a tough time getting out. The same methods for transitioning in the clinch apply. The normal double unders...over/under positions. And the new place your shoulder into the caged victims midsection while he rests his body on yours. This is where the guy on the cage can take the aggressors back standing OR ground (depends if on your fighter). But most likely the aggressor was seen doing pick up slams. Yes you can slam while your are leaning on the opponent standing with him against the cage. I really think this is a powerful style in the game. Greco Roman wrestling looked VERY good.

POSITIONS on GROUND

DETAILS
New positions are BUTTERFLY guard (mir and GSP had it). CRUCIFIX (Roy Nelson and paulo had it). BACK STANDING (if you were against the cage) CLOSED GUARD negates the mounters strikes giving you more offensive options. (You can posture up from ALL besides North/South. The animations are WAYYYYY different. For example. If im in mount offense DOWN. I will transition to pick my head up...But he doesnt stand straight up like in 09. Its look more realistic...Like your head WANTS to go up...But it doesnt go their. Think of a clock. Mount offense down is at 3 o clock. Mount offense up is at 2 o clock. The more punches you rain down on your opponent...The more you posture up. Think of an escalator...The more you land the closer you get to the top. So the more damage you do...The more damage your GONNA do. It was sick how they did the mount this time. Same method for open guard or half guard offense. GNP really hurts in this game. Mount up animations totally looks wayy different from 09. While in posture up position from any position...Your gonna think...Am i mounted up? Cuz it looks similar to mount offense down. But like i said...The more you land strikes...The higher your head will posture up.

SPECTATOR

Haha...Sadly...No online spectator mode but Omar said they are working on it. BUT...In tournament mode and CAREER UFC cards...You can watch the cpu vs cpu go at it like your really on the card.

REFS STOPAGE

The ref physically jumps in their and pulls you off if you ko him. Refs also jumped in quicker than 09 when you couldnt pass guard. I was like "Come on ives lavigne...I was working over here man!!!!". Refs are..Ives Lavigne...Herb Dean...Dan Miragliotta and Mario Yamasaki. They were present in all the action except when they were out of view.

DECISIONS

YES THEY FIXED it. In 09 the scorecard was immediately displayed before the announcer even finished talking about it. This one....They go judge by judge. It took 2 seconds between each judges scorecards. So if the judge #1 and #2 went opposite ways...The suspense build up for #3.

CUTS

Their were ALOT of different cuts. Mcsweeney had a welt above his right eye w/ a cut slightly underneath. It was stopped when the cutscene went to Mcsweeney after the round ended. Like he could'nt continue type feeling.

DEMO

16 fighters will be included in the demo. 16. Wow. Omar said the demo will be out real soon. Didn't give out specific date. He also said it wont get pushed back.

CAF INFO

Wow...This will be alot to cover...So im going to go subject to subject...

NAME-You can either write down your name...Or choose from 100+ templated names so they will announce you.

NICKNAME-35 nicknames. I liked THE BONE COLLECTOR the best. But they werent as cheesy as 09s.

FIGHTER ATTRIBUTES-The same as 09. No new attribute added. ST CAR SPD and all the rest of the stats are the same

STANDUP STYLE-Orthodox...Orthodox-southpaw...Southpaw...Southpaw-Orthodox (orthodox southpaw means you can fight both ways)

STANDUP STANCES-Their were 12 different stances (i believe). MT had 2 different stances...Hands reaching out closed like Tong po from kickboxer and hands reaching out open. MMA style. Brawler style. Counter style. Karate style. Their were 10-12. Id have to look at the video.

GEAR-You can wear FITTED HATS...BEANIES...TSHIRTS...GIs...HOODIES. They had ALOT of each. Think of spidermans suit...For a hoodie in black and white. Was sick.

BEING ANNOUNCED-You can choose what you do when bruce buffer is announcing you.

FACE TO FACE POSE-You can choose how you react to your opponent when ref tells you to touch gloves. Show respect or dont. Up to you.

CELEBRATION-After you win...You can choose how you react.

FIGHTER MOVES-Think of WWE games. You choose EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOUR MOVES. It shows a preview of what it looks like. You can choose generic moves...Or specials. Theirs MANY special high kicks. Thiago alves has the quickest high kick in the game. Lighting fast.

HAIR COLOR-You can change any hair strand to ANY color. Saw someone make purple chest hair with green sideburn hair.

HAIR STYLES-35 styles including dreadlocks...Hardy style fauhawk...Clay Guidas hair. Very different.

TATS-You can choose a tattoo...And place it ANYWHERE. Not just a selected spot this time. Their were 35 different chinese calligraphy combinations.

TRAINER-You can choose to have different trainers coaching u between rounds.

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White revealed that he is backing off his earlier threats to ban any fighter who appears in EA's game to be a part of UFC. "Nah, some people have crossed over," he told Kotaku

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