2K decided to detail the revamped WWE 2K18 Universe mode during tonight’s episode of RAW, the WWE’s long-running flagship television show. New to this year, the mode will separate rivalries into two distinct offerings: potential rivalries and active rivalries. On top of this will be a new intensity system that’ll show where the rivalry is currently at. For example, a low-level intensity will result in a sportsmanlike rivarlry, while a hostile one will result in characters attacking each other on-sight. The WWE’s new brand split has also been implemented into the mode, and a new power ranking system will replace the (broken) ranking system that was in past games.
There’s a ton more over at the official website, but here’s more on the new rivalry system:
Rivalries and Storylines
One of the most exciting parts of Universe is the rivalries that happen between Superstars. Rivalries occur between either two Superstars or two teams of Superstars, leading to a storyline that can play out over many months in the Universe calendar. Storylines feature cut scenes and put the rivals in scenarios that you won’t normally see through regular matchmaking. Players have a choice in creating their own rivalries or letting them happen on their own. We wanted to improve our systems for rivalries this year, and we’ve made some changes all around.
Potential Rivalries
New for this year, rivalries are separated into two types: Potential Rivalries and Active Rivalries. As the Superstars compete in their matches, perform promos or perform run-ins on each other, a Potential Rivalry will be established between them. Looking at the Rivalries menu, you can see a meter for each Potential rivalry and the state it’s in. This meter will build up as the interactions continue between the potential rivals during their matches. Once the meter is full, it’ll enter a “Standby” state and move into the next available Active Rivalry slot in the following show. Think of Potential Rivalries as the build-up to a full-fledged rivalry between Superstars.
These interactions take the forms of promos, cut scenes, and run-ins. The interactions that happen are mostly random, depending on various factors related to the Superstars. Things like rankings, relationships, a Superstar’s crowd reactions and their personalities are some of the things that can influence the chance of an interaction happening, as well as the type of interaction.
There are also some ways players can influence Personal Rivalries through their own actions. Think of doing something that would get under an opponent’s skin or infuriate him/her or something that would make you want to get even. For example, attacking your opponent with a chair is a definite way of maxing out a Potential Rivalry’s meter.
Active Rivalries
Active Rivalries are the results of all the build-up, making the rivalry official and starting off many weeks of heated competition between the rivals. Superstars will fight to build momentum and have the advantage leading up to their big matches at the next PPV. The payoff varies depending on which Superstars are in the rivalries, things like climbing the ranks or title match opportunities. The types of rivalries you’ll see, whether it’s a friendly rivalry between allies or a hostile brawl-fest between heated enemies, depends on the rivalry’s “Intensity.”
Check out the full blog for even more on the new WWE 2K18 Universe mode.
WWE 2K18 releases on October 17 for PS4 and Xbox One (the Nintendo Switch version arrives in fall 2017). Preordering gets you early access on October 13, and there’s a Collector’s Edition celebrating John Cena’s career.
[Source: WWE 2K18 Universe Mode]
