WWE 2K15: Developer Q and A Session Breakdown

The WWE 2K15 developers recently took part in a question and answer session on Twitter. The developers answered direct questions from fans about the game, which finally hits the next-gen consoles in less than three weeks. From what I have gleaned from fans, the last-gen versions are basically seen as a formality for the franchise. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are the “real,” ideal versions of the game and represent the true vision of Visual Concepts and 2K Games, since the time they picked up the WWE license. The Q&A session did have some positive reveals, but also contained some rather disappointing revelations.

The developers confirmed that current roster Superstars in the game may be altered using the game’s Creation Suite. In short, players will be able to alter the attire and other attributes for existing wrestlers on the roster. I love this feature, and I am so happy to see it included. I hope this means that moves and other physical movements may be edited as well.

2K Games had already revealed that WWE Superstar Adam Rose would be included in the upcoming NXT downloadable content pack for the game. However, the Q&A session revealed that the Adam Rose DLC would include The Bunny, the person in a bunny suit who frequently accompanies Adam Rose to the ring. I assume The Bunny will work as a manager or valet, which is fine. It is awesome that The Bunny is getting a non-playable character model for the game.

In addition, the Paint Tool for the Creation Suite is gone from the next-gen versions. However, 2K Games claims that in lieu of the Paint Tool, there will be “a new feature that goes beyond Paint Tool in PS3/Xbox 360.” What that could possibly mean, I have no idea. Why the secrecy though? The game is due out in less than three weeks. It begs the question: why are the developers not allowed to disclose this new feature? If the Paint Tool feature has been removed, why not explain to fans what the new feature is that is far better? Some fans are already angry over the removal, so the secrecy over the new feature is puzzling. Details on the Creation Suite are not exactly some big spoiler.

Some other bad news from the Q&A: there will be no WCW arenas for the game this year. I assume that means for WWE 2K15 period, unless 2K Games means there could be WCW arenas for DLC next year. WWE 2K15 is the first WWE game to feature Sting, a man who has never set foot in a WWE ring. He was the franchise and icon of WCW. 2K Games will release a WCW DLC pack with more WCW mainstays. So why would it be so hard to design some WCW arenas? I get that 2K Games is not making a WCW game; but it would have been awesome to build off of the hype and include Sting with some classic WCW arenas.

The biggest blow that came from the Q&A session is that there will be only 25 empty Create-a-Wrestler slots for the game. That means players will only be able to make 25 unique CAWs through the Creation Suite. In comparison, the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions have 100 available slots. As a big fan of the CAW feature in past WWE games, I am more than disappointed by the miniscule number of CAW slots. That is not a lot of room. Based on the developer comments, the limit was made due to the visual fidelity of the in-game WWE Superstar models. This revelation is tremendously disappointing. However, the developers did not that they are working hard to increase the number of slots. That offers a bit of optimism, and hopefully 2K Games will deliver on that promise.

My honest opinion–and I could be completely off here–is that much of the WWE 2K15 content was rushed. 2K15 is really Visual Concepts and 2K Games’ first crack at the license. I imagine the superior version will come next year with WWE 2K16.

WWE 2K15 is available now for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The PS4 and Xbox One versions hit on November 18.