WWE Raw (video game)

Infobox VG
title = WWE Raw


developer = Anchor Inc.
publisher = THQ
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|United States of America|USA|February 11, 2002
vgrelease|United Kingdom|UK|September 27, 2002
vgrelease|Japan|JPN|October 3, 2002
Windows
vgrelease|United States|USA|October 14, 2002
vgrelease|United Kingdom|UK|November 1, 2002
genre = Fighting, Wrestling
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: T (Teen)
platforms = Xbox, PC, Mobile Phone
media =
requirements =
input =

"WWE Raw" (also known as "WWF Raw") is a video game released on the Xbox console and the PC by THQ in 2002. All copies of the PC port and later copies of the Xbox original were titled "WWE Raw" due to the World Wrestling Federation's lawsuit with the World Wildlife Fund, causing the former to change their name to WWE (although the in-game logos still carried the WWF logo). The game was succeeded on the Xbox by "WWE Raw 2" in 2003.

Overview

Originally intended to be an Xbox launch game, numerous delays pushed back the game's release from November 2001 to February 2002. Due to a recent string of lawsuits directed towards the WWF blaming the company for youth injuries, the game's blood effects were removed. In earlier builds of the game, wrestlers would bleed realistically from different body locations, and drip blood on the mat, which would remain there and darken to a brown color as time passed. The PC version of this game can be modded, meaning that it can be modified and updated as the player desires. The Xbox version can also be modified using Game Extractor software, but with more difficulty. The game also allowed players to edit their favorite superstars, this is the second WWE game to offer it.

Playable wrestlers

+ = Has to be unlocked.

Modders have even found traces of other wrestlers that were ultimately unused. These include Chyna, Steven Richards, The Goodfather, Bull Buchanan and Dean Malenko. There are even traces of The Radicalz and Right to Censor as teams in the game. It is thought that some were removed to make the game seem more updated, as these wrestlers were not active WWE superstars by the time of the game's release.Fact|date=January 2008

Reaction

The game received mixed reviews. Some players praised the game for its fantastic graphics, which included detailed tattoos and hair, along with such features as attacking a wrestler during his/her entrance and stealing pieces of attire, such as Kurt Angle's gold medal.

However, a lot of players complained about the terrible wrestler animation (especially their walk), dysfunctional AI and fundamental flaws in the gameplay. One example of this is the confusing controls, the same button is used for pinning an opponent, taunting, picking up items, climbing the turnbuckles and entering and exiting a ring. As a result, pinning an opponent near a turnbuckle proved to be a difficult task. Second example was the ease one could escape any grapple move attempt to the point that it becomes impossible to apply one, especially against the game's omniscient Artificial Intelligence that can escape and counter at will. Also, the game was missing features that were included in previous WWF games and the sister "SmackDown!" series, including backstage areas and a Season Mode. Players also complained about the game having a very outdated roster from early 2001.

External links

* [http://rawmoddersunion.com/forum/ Raw Modders Union Board] - A board dedicated to WWE RAW PC Modding.
* [http://gamehq247.planets.gamespy.com/totaledition/ Official Total Edition Website] - A website for the full conversion of the game entitled "WWE RAW: Total Edition".