THQ launches online community for its WWE games

THQ is trying to get every use out of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) license that it can.

THQ has started a new online portal for its rapidly growing stable of wrestling games. In addition to its annual Smackdown vs. Raw installment, THQ is working on WWE All-Stars, a more arcade-style wrestling game slated to release sometime in 2011. It contains not only current WWE “superstars” (Vince McMahon hates it when someone refers to them as “wrestlers”) but will include legendary grapplers who aren’t currently active. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, for example, was featured in the E3 2010 demo for WWE All Stars taking on modern day WWE star John Cena.

Ever since the days Acclaim was cranking out Wrestlemania games on the Nintendo Entertainment System, the WWE license has been one of the most lucrative in the business. While companies including ECW, WCW and now TNA have made their mark on the wrestling industry, WWE has been the biggest company in wrestling for decades. Wrestling’s popularity fluctuates but one thing doesn’t: WWE is the biggest brand in wrestling.

THQ’s message here is obvious. When fans think of WWE, the videogame publisher wants them to think of THQ as well.

The new WWE-centric site contains info about upcoming games and video interviews with wrestling superstars. Right now you can hear from both “Dashing” Cody Rhodes and his famous father, the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. Both have been featured in recent games. Cody is one of WWE’s current young stars, while Dusty has appeared as an unlockable character in SvR and starred in Legends of Wrestlemania. That game featured a cast of Hall of Famers ranging from Dusty Rhodes to the Ultimate Warrior with an old school style presentation and simplified controls. It wasn’t a perfect game but I would love to see LoW included in THQ’s rotation every few years or so.

“The Miz” even has his own superstar blog just in case anyone needs reminding that he’s The Miz, and he’s awesome. There are forums to form alliances with, talk trash to or jaw about wrestling with other fans. THQ will no doubt keep updating the site with more SvR info up until the game’s October 26, 2010, release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable.

Site [THQ] Also Read [IncGamers]