 FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 2
 | PS2 XBOX GAMECUBE PC PS1 PSP PS3 XBOX 360 |
 | Publisher : EA Sports Developer : EA Sports Released : 03/2005 |
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We recently had the opportunity to interview the Executive Producer of Fight Night Round 2, Kudo Tsunoda. We're grateful to Kudo for setting aside the time to answer our questions.
1. We have heard that entries of the boxers will be more detailed than the First Fight not. How detailed will they be? Will each fighter have a specific entry? For instance will Bernard Hopkins enter the ring wearing the black executioner mask?
[Kudo]: Each boxer’s ring entrance, whether it is a real life boxer or a boxer made in our create a champ feature, is completely scriptable by the person playing the game. You can customize your music, the pyrotechnics that go off as your boxer enters the ring, and the members of your entourage. Cool thing is that how you script your ring entrance also affects your boxer’s in the ring abilities. So if you have a huge ring entrance, and the crowd is behind you, then your boxer will get some extra energy while fighting or get up from knockdowns a bit easier. We don’t have Bernard’s black executioner mask as he stopped wearing it since the conflict in Iraq started as he feels it is no longer appropriate to wear.
2. Will you still be able to play with Custom Players online and has there been any limitations added so you can’t overload these boxers with exaggerated stats?
[Kudo]: Yes, you can still create boxers and fight with them online. With our new create a champ feature, you are actually able to sculpt your own boxer with the analog sticks giving you the ultimate control over creating a character that looks exactly the way you want. This year, each weight division has ratings limits so you can’t just max all the boxers out at 100% in all ratings. For instance, while a heavyweight’s power might be at 100%, their foot speed will not be. Featherweights will have top foot speed but can’t reach 100% in power.
3. Regarding custom players online will online custom players be stored on the servers like NBA Street V3 requiring you to build your character by playing online?
[Kudo]: You can completely build, customize, and play with your character in the offline game and then take that character online.
4. With Big Tigger gone from the commentary who will be filling that role?
[Kudo]: This year we are very excited to have one of the top boxing commentators in the game, Joe Tessatore doing all our in game commentary. Joe not only has an awesome, energetic voice but he is incredibly knowledgeable about boxing. His commentary has helped the presentation of our game enormously.
5. Has a classic fight feature been added to Fight Night round 2?
[Kudo]: Our roster of boxers for Fight Night always includes a large number of current champions, big time up and comers, and the best of the classic boxers. We feature such classic boxers as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jake Lamotta, and many others. You can pair up any of the classic boxers in the game and re-live some of boxing’s greatest fights.
6. Has the point system been improved this year? Last year it seemed even though you won the fight on the score cards you would still end up loosing. Does the system maybe favor some fighters because of there popularity?
[Kudo]: Well, certainly in real life boxing the judges screw up the results of the fight all the time. But yes, we have greatly improved our judges scoring system. There are multiple judges that each judge the fight on somewhat different criteria. For some it is number of punches landed. For others, it is the damage done over the course of a round. Ring generalship, effective aggressiveness, and who the boxer is all get taken in to account for the judging of Fight Night Round 2!!!
7. What is it like developing a boxing game? What aspects are the hardest? Since most people have never set foot in a ring do you have to bring in experts to help with the design?
[Kudo]: First of all, I could not be any happier working on Fight Night. I love boxing and am so happy we could finally make a game that is true to the sport while still being easy and fun for all people to play. Certainly we talk to all types of boxing experts to help with the design. All of the boxer’s have been great to work with. People like Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright, Diego Corrales, Chris Byrd, and others came down to the office and gave us great feedback and insights. But no matter what, nothing can substitute for having actually stepped inside the ring and done some boxing. All of the people on our design team, along with some artists and programmers, have been involved with extensive boxing training at a local gym since we started working on the game two years ago. Many of us are accomplished boxers including having a few amateur fights under our belts. I am a big believer in the “method acting” way of doing game design. Learn everything you can about what you are working, anyway you can, and that will lead to the best game possible.
8. What are the newest boxers that signed on for Fight Night Round 2?
[Kudo]: For this year we added Floyd Mayweather Jr., Ricky Hatton, Diego Corrales, Manny Pacquiao, Juan Lazcano, and Miguel Cotto. In Fight Night 2004 we had great coverage in the heavier weight classes – we had (8) great heavyweights. For this year we focused on building some depth in the lower weight classes.
9. We have heard mixed things about being able to change weight classes during your career. Is it true or false that it will be in the game?
[Kudo]: This is 100% TRUE!!! You can move both up and down in weight class over your career. This ties in really nice with our new training and body sculpting systems. Not only can you change weight classes but you can now build up or slim down your physique in preparation for handling different types, and different size fighters.
10. How would you persuade a gamer who is not normally a fan of boxing to purchase this game?
[Kudo]: Unlike other sports games that have expansive rules you need to understand, boxing is quite simple: Hit or Be Hit. Everybody can understand these rules and most people have been in a fight before. Fight Night is not just a boxing game. It is a great fighting game, sports game, and the most addictive multiplayer game on any console. So if you like playing games head to head, like talking trash, or just generally like putting the smack down on somebody in a game Fight Night is the best game out there!!!!
11. Is it possible to create your own venue?
[Kudo]: Not in this year’s game. We have provided customization for all features that actually affect your boxer or the fight. Since all boxing rings are somewhat standard, this was not a feature that would have a major impact on gameplay.
12. We hear that people using the analog sticks now will be able to throw faster combos. With the testing that has gone on so far who really has the advantage in this year’s game? The analog stick user or the button mashers?
[Kudo]: In talking to consumers about Fight Night 2004, we found people really loved the control and overall “feel” of our Total Punch Control analog punch system. Unfortunately, when people fought online or head to head they switched to buttons since you could throw faster combos on the button presses. So analog punchers were at a disadvantage. For this year’s game, we have not decreased the ability of button press punchers at all. But we have added our new fast combo system on the analog sticks. So nobody has an advantage. Anybody can play the game however they want and be able to go head to head with anybody without there being either person having an unfair advantage.
13. Is there a time limit on the new Cut-Man feature while in the corner? Is it set to a boxing standard or can it be changed?
[Kudo]: There is a one minute time period between rounds just like in real fight. Each person playing takes a turn at controlling the cutman and reducing the swelling and cuts on their boxer’s face.
14. We are really excited about the new Total Boxer Control and being able to do things that weren’t possible last year. Can you talk a little more about Total Boxer Control and what in entails?
[Kudo]: While we gave people total control over their punches in Fight Night 2004, we did not give you the best control over your entire boxer. In fact, in lots of instances you could only control one basic type of boxer movement at a time. Simple thing every boxer does in every fight, like punching while moving or blocking while moving, you could not do in our game. The fun of our gameplay is that you have great control over your boxer and can fight in any way you want to fight. The game is not about learning some pre-programmed pattern given to you by the game developers. For Fight Night Round 2 we have given you better control over you boxer by allowing you to control all parts of your boxer’s body simultaneously using the analog sticks. So you can punch and move, block and move, and even do the classic Ali Rope a Dope! All not possible in last year’s game.
15. And the Question we always have to ask. Is there a chance that Mike Tyson will make the cut for Fight Night Round 2?
[Kudo]: Mike Tyson is still one of boxing’s big names and one of the best fighters in recent times. He does not need to make the cut for any game. He is not in Round 2 but we are actively working on getting him in for the next version!!!!
Thanks so much for letting me do this interview!!! Feel free to check out my 1up blog to ask any other questions about the game!!!!
Get ready for the ultimate knockdown! EA SPORTS™ Fight Night Round 2 delivers the most realistic boxing title to ever grace the video game ring. The sequel to the best-selling boxing title of 2004 will knock gamers off their feet with new and exciting features including the EA SPORTS™ Haymaker, innovative gameplay inside and outside of the ring, a unique create-a-player option and an extensive career mode. EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2 is the must-have title for fighting and boxing fans!
Unleash the most fearsome punches in video game history by adding extra power to each punch for one punch knockouts and increased damage on your opponents with the EA SPORTS Haymaker. Devastate and punish your adversaries on the way to boxing glory.
In between rounds, take command of your boxer’s corner. Use the swell and cut tools to reduce damage and bleeding around your boxer’s eyes. If your boxer can’t see, he can’t fight!
Key Features
* All-New EA SPORTS Haymaker - You’re always one punch away from flooring your opponent, but miss and you’re in trouble. Add extra power to each punch and go for the one punch KO! Haymakers cause massive destruction on your opponents but leave you open to counter shots.
* Create A Champ – Featuring an-all new and unique create-a-player option, gamers can use the analog sticks to sculpt the look of the boxer in real-time as well as train their fighters throughout the career mode. Players can create the ultimate champion by transforming their boxer’s skills and physique through rigorous workouts.
* Total Boxer Control – EA SPORTS Fight Night’s innovative analog control system gives you total control over your entire boxer’s body instead of just your fists. Stick and move, block on the move, and even do a classic “Rope a Dope” all with the analog sticks.
* EA SPORTS™ Cutman – Play an active role between bouts to help heal your boxers to keep them in the ring! With the all-new EA SPORTS Cutman, take command of your boxer’s corner, using the full bucket of cut-man tools to reduce swelling and stop the bleeding.
* Stunning Graphic Realism – From the boxers’ faces and bodies to each punch thrown, the fighters have never looked so real! Each punch pays off with stunning visuals that reflect the damage of each blow.
* Punishment Takes Its Toll – Protect your champ! Damage on your boxer will affect your fighting. Blocking will be a challenging task with a swollen eye.
* Online Gameplay – EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2 features online play with Xbox Live™ and PlayStation 2 online. Let your opponents across the country feel the power of the punch through online play!
Product Specifications
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Chicago
Ship Date: March 2005
Category: Sports
Rating: RP
© 2004 Electronic Arts Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
** INTERNET CONNECTION required for online play. PlayStation®2 Online play requires Internet Connection, Network Adaptor (for PlayStation 2) and Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2) (each sold separately). Online play not available on all platforms. See full package for details.
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