2K Games Announces the Launch of WWE 2K18

2K today announced that WWE 2K18, the newest addition to the flagship WWE video game franchise, is now available worldwide for PlayStation, Xbox One and Windows PC. WWE 2K18 is a simulation-based WWE video game that includes the “largest roster” of WWE and NXT Superstars in franchise history. It also comes with new options in Creation Suite and Universe Mode.

The game also offers the choice to be a Company Man or Fan Favorite in MyCAREER Mode. There is also a franchise debut of Road to Glory Mode as well as a host of substantial gameplay additions and enhancements. This includes a brand new graphics engine that brings the comprehensive WWE experience to life like never before.

“With WWE 2K18, our team continued to listen to fans and critics about their wish lists for the franchise, and their passion and valuable feedback can be found throughout this year’s game,” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. “We’re proud to introduce several new features and enhancements, including a brand new graphics engine, the debut of our new online-based Road to Glory mode and a complete commentary system overhaul. In addition, the game’s incredible roster, distinctive MyCAREER storylines, gameplay refinements and Creation Mode updates all align with our ongoing mission to deliver the most authentic and comprehensive WWE gameplay experience possible.”

WWE 2K18 feature highlights include:

• Extensive Roster: Featuring nearly 200 playable WWE and NXT Superstars and Legends, including cover Superstar Seth Rollins alongside John Cena, Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, Alexa Bliss, Bobby Roode, Sasha Banks, Dean Ambrose, The New Day, Finn Bálor, Jinder Mahal, The Miz, No Way Jose, SAnitY, Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Andre the Giant and many more, WWE 2K18 delivers the largest roster in WWE games history.

• Kurt Angle: Consumers who pre-ordered WWE 2K18 at any participating retailer received two playable characters of WWE Hall of Famer, decorated Olympian and current Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle, at no extra cost:
  • o   WWE “American Hero” persona (2001)
  • o   ECW “Wrestling Machine” persona (2006)

• Gameplay Enhancements: WWE 2K18 continues refining the simulation gameplay experience that sits at the franchise’s core. Mayhem arrives in the form of improved eight-person matches, a new carry and drag system, thousands of new animations and more – all complemented by a brand new graphics engine that delivers spectacular lighting, more realistic skin and new camera effects to ensure everyone’s favorite WWE personalities, crowds and arenas look their best.

• Creation Suite: WWE 2K18’s world-class Creation Suite delivers greater control for players to customize, build and share their own unique WWE Superstars, Arenas, Entrances and more. Highlights include new body types, face templates and menu poses; new hairstyles, scars, teeth, tattoo branding techniques and clothing materials; improved logo mapping, stitch patterns and highlight reel creations; the ability to preview lighting scenarios; Create-a-Show, featuring a fun 8-bit filter option; custom match types and much more.

• MyCAREER Mode: The franchise’s career-driven journey focuses on telling a compelling story through self-created WWE Superstars (a.k.a. MyPLAYERs) as they explore two different paths en route to a WrestleMania moment and beyond: the Company Man and the Fan Favorite. A new free-roaming backstage area provides a more experiential scenario, as players spend more time interacting with fellow WWE Superstars and supporting personnel to explore their personalities, receive side quests, conduct or ambush interviews, change match cards and more. Players will also see MyCAREER updates to the mode’s Promo Generator, as well as Invasions.

• Universe Mode: WWE 2K18 introduces two types of rivalry scenarios – Potential Rivalries and Active Rivalries – along with a color-coded Intensity Meter to guide what’s likely to happen between opposing rivals in any situation. Rivalries and storylines now see better flow to align with WWE’s real-life pay-per-view events, while new Power Rankings, Goals and Match Types add more depth throughout the experience.

• Road to Glory: Making its WWE 2K18 debut, Road to Glory is a completely new online experience where MyPLAYERs from all over the world battle against one another. Players can compete daily in a variety of match types to earn stars, boosts, Superstar parts and virtual currency. In addition, by increasing their levels, players can further customize their MyPLAYERs to gain the advantage over others. Overall, players are encouraged to see if they have what it takes to secure entry into pay-per-view events and defeat their favorite WWE Superstars to earn special rewards.

• Commentary: Featuring the debut trio of Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves at the commentary table, a WWE 2K game has never sounded better. Improved crowd sounds, including the addition of authentic crowd chants, bring WWE 2K18 closer than ever to what fans see every week on WWE television and at live events.

• Soundtrack: Executive produced and personally curated by legendary WWE Superstar and global entertainment icon Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the WWE 2K18 soundtrack features 11 unique songs representing many of Johnson’s favorite artists and music genres, including:
  • Blues Brothers – “Soul Man”
  • Boston – “Smokin'”
  • Bruno Mars – “Runaway Baby”
  • Disturbed – “Down With The Sickness”
  • Eazy-E – “Boyz-N-The Hood”
  • George Thorogood & The Destroyers – “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”
  • Joe Walsh – “Rocky Mountain Way”
  • Kanye West – “Black Skinhead”
  • Kid Rock – “You Never Met a White Boy Quite Like Me”
  • ¡MAYDAY! (feat. Tech N9ne) – “Last One Standing”
  • Tech N9ne (feat. Krizz Kaliko, Serj Tankian) – “Straight Out The Gate”

• Downloadable Content: WWE 2K18 downloadable content offerings will include the following items and be available for purchase on the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo eShop and Steam:
  • Accelerator
    • Players will gain access to all unlockable content available at launch in the game’s VC Purchasable section (excluding downloadable content)
    • Players can also decide the overall rankings and attribute levels for all playable characters throughout the life of the product
    • The Accelerator will be available
      • Enduring Icons Pack
      • Playable WWE Superstars: The Hardy Boyz
      • Playable WWE Hall of Famers: Beth Phoenix and The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express
      • The Enduring Icons Pack will be available
    • MyPLAYER Kick Start
      • Players will be able to unlock and boost MyPLAYER ratings and attributes via a 50,000 virtual currency starting bonus
      • Players will begin with 10 additional Attribute Points for MyPLAYER and can boost any Attribute tower by 10 points or spread the upgrades throughout multiple Attribute towers
      • MyPLAYER Kick Start will be available
    • New Moves Pack
      • Explore a wide variety of new in-game moves, including the Tie Breaker (made popular by WWE Superstar Tye Dillinger); the Crash Landing (made popular by NXT Superstar Kassius Ohno); the Pumphandle Death Valley Driver (made popular by NXT Superstar Akam); and the Swinging Sleeper Slam (made popular by WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page)
      • The New Moves Pack will be available
    • NXT Generation Pack
      • Playable WWE and NXT Superstars: Aleister Black, Drew McIntyre, Elias, Lars Sullivan and Ruby Riot
      • The NXT Generation Pack will be available

• Season Pass: Players may purchase select WWE 2K18 downloadable content at a reduced price point through the game’s Season Pass. Players will receive the following items as they become available:
  • Accelerator
  • Enduring Icons Pack
  • MyPLAYER Kick Start
  • New Moves Pack
  • NXT Generation Pack