Tag Archives: ultimate fighting championship

Microsoft has responded to claims from Bill Roper that Don Mattrick isn’t a “fan” of the MMO genre by saying 360 is already creating “memorable” MMO experiences for its 17 million Live members.

Cryptic design boss Roper told VG247 yesterday that he thought it unlikely Microsoft would announce a first-party MMO for 360 at E3, as Xbox boss Mattrick isn’t keen on the sector.

In a statement issued to VG247, a Microsoft US spokesperson said:

We’re already tapping into the robust Xbox LIVE community of more than 17 million members to create memorable massively multiplayer experiences on Xbox 360. In fact, we already have MMOs on the console, including “Final Fantasy XI” and “Phantasy Star Universe,” and even more on the way with “Age of Conan.” We’re even introducing the first a whole new type of massively multiplayer online game later this year with “1 vs. 100,” a dynamic, interactive game that lets the LIVE community play along in front of an audience of thousands and an actual host for a chance to win real prizes.

MMO games are a growing category on consoles today and they hold great potential for the future, and Xbox 360 is the only console with the rich online capabilities of Xbox LIVE to deliver those kinds of innovative experiences in the living room.

Roper himself is working on Cryptic’s Champions online, which is in development for 360 as well as PC.

According to this Sport Illustrated story, UFC fighter Jon Fitch and several others from the American Kickboxing Academy have been dropped from the championship for refusing to sign over lifetime likeness rights for use in games based on the sport.

“We thought that was kind of crazy,” Fitch said. “Why would you sign anything away for your lifetime?”

Quite. The choice was made simple, apparently. When Fitch didn’t deliver on the “favour” of signing, he said he was told “either you’re in if you sign this, or you’re getting cut.”

More through there.

According to this Gamespot report, THQ confirmed a new Ultimate Fighting Championship game for spring 2009 as part of its full year financials last night. There are no other details right now, but the title will apparently be tied to one of the UFC’s major events.

Links below so you don’t have to stumble round the internet first thing in the morning looking for scraps. It wasn’t the most exciting release in the world, but beggars can’t be choosers. If you’re the sort of person that enjoys listening to executives ramble on for long periods of time about figures and forecasts, there’s a link to a recording of the investor call right there.

THQ financials: Investor call webcast online now
THQ financials: THQ hits guidance but sees earnings slashed for third quarter
THQ financials: Next UFC game for Memorial Weekend unveiling
THQ financials: Ambition and “old fashion” killed Stuntman and Juiced
THQ financials: Warhammer 40K MMO up and running
THQ financials: Red Faction III confirmed for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC

In THQ’s investor call last night, which followed the release of third quarter financials, THQ execs said the company’s next UFC game would be revealed on Memorial Weekend. For non-Americans, Memorial Weekend is at the end of May. The martial arts game is to be announced during a UFC pay-per-view event, the company said.