UFC® Undisputed 3 Returns January 2012

UFC® UNDISPUTED™ 3 RETURNS TO VIRTUAL OCTAGON™ ACTION IN JANUARY 2012 WITH INTENSE TOE-TO-TOE COMBAT AND INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY

Critically Acclaimed and Best-Selling Mixed Martial Arts Videogame Franchise Set to Bring Players Closer to the Action with PRIDE® Mode, New Weight Classes and Extensive Roster

THQ Inc. and Zuffa, LLC today announced the first gameplay details surrounding UFC® Undisputed™ 3, the new installment in the critically acclaimed and best-selling mixed martial arts (MMA) videogame franchise based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship®.  Poised to take players inside the virtual Octagon® with extensive focus on intense toe-to-toe combat, impressive visual presentation and significantly increased accessibility, including the introduction of PRIDE® Mode, two new weight classes and an impressive playable roster of more than 150 UFC fighters, UFC Undisputed 3 is currently in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, with a scheduled release timing of January 2012.

“UFC Undisputed 3 is on track to deliver an incredible virtual MMA experience unlike any other,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ.  “This product is intense, engaging and highly competitive while still being extremely accessible, making it a must-have for millions of UFC fans, traditional fighting game enthusiasts and more casual sports fans around the world.”

“We are excited to launch UFC Undisputed 3 in January 2012 and expect it to be the best version yet,” UFC President Dana White said.  “We’ve added two new weight classes and several new features to the game that will bring UFC fans closer to the Octagon than ever before.”

About UFC Undisputed 3
UFC Undisputed 3 will mark the debut of PRIDE Mode, enabling players to fight for the first time in the renowned Japanese MMA organization.  The mode will include official commentators Bas Rutten and Stephen Quadros, authentic environments and notorious MMA rules, including the ability to execute soccer-style kicks, head stomps and ground knees to the head.  Finishing an opponent will be more important than ever through devastating new moves, responsive striking controls, refined visual presentation and the introduction of a brand new submission system.  In addition, players will now enter the Octagon with a choice between traditional and simplified gameplay control options, enabling them, regardless of skill level, to experience the intensity of UFC and nuances of MMA combat while executing simple standing strikes or more complex ground and transition mechanics.
Players will also experience the excitement of a live UFC event through significant visual improvements, including the introduction of much-anticipated fighter entrances, new camera positions, improved facial animations and a gritty, high contrast appearance.  They will enter into battle with an unparalleled choice of more than 150 playable UFC fighters, including talent from the newly added featherweight and bantamweight divisions.  Rounding out the virtual UFC experience with a significantly revamped online experience, as well as a variety of new and returning gameplay modes, UFC Undisputed 3 lets players have their fights – their way – to deliver the most intense, competitive and engaging experience to date for the franchise.

For more information on UFC Undisputed 3, please visit www.ufcundisputed.com, facebook.com/UFCUndisputed and twitter.com/UFC_Undisputed.

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Play Undisputed on iPhone/iPad

Distinguished Sports Videogame Franchise Expands Product Portfolio Through Release of Unique and Engaging Mixed Martial Arts Experiences

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - November 18, 2010 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Zuffa, LLC today announced that UFC® Undisputed™ 2010, the critically acclaimed sports videogame franchise based on the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, is now available on the App Store for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Click here to purchase

The simplified virtual Octagon® experience features fast-paced and fun MMA action with unique and intelligent gameplay, 25 fighters from all five UFC official weight classes, a variety of competitive modes, extensive connectivity with social networking options, as well as access to the latest happenings in the UFC.    

“UFC Undisputed 2010 raised the bar for sports videogames this year with an impressive feature set and unbeatable gameplay experience,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ.  “We believe this franchise has the ability to flourish in a handheld format, and we are pleased to deliver this compelling product for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.”

“The UFC Undisputed franchise is a huge hit with videogame and fight fans around the world,” said UFC President Dana White. “UFC Undisputed 2010 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are yet another way for fans to experience all the action inside the Octagon.”

UFC Undisputed 2010 is available for a suggested retail price of $6.99 from the App Store on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.  

About UFC Undisputed 2010 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

In UFC Undisputed 2010 for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, players will explore a simplified interface, including swipes on the touch screen, to execute punches, kicks, takedowns and more, while quick and fun puzzle paths will be implemented for players to escape submissions.  Featuring a roster of 25 prolific UFC fighters from all of UFC’s official weight classes, each with an authentic appearance, players will have access to an Exhibition Mode for quick-play single bouts, a Tournament Mode to compete for a UFC Championship and unparalleled social networking connectivity, enabling players to share game progress and achievements with friends through Facebook and Twitter.  A Leaderboard System will encourage players to compare fight results with others and determine leaders in wins by knockout, submission or decision, while the UFC Portal will keep players up to date with UFC through the latest news and information on upcoming events, access to fighter profiles, PPV predictions and an active UFC ticker filled with updates.  In addition, expansion packs for UFC Undisputed 2010 for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are expected to begin this holiday, adding fighters from all five of UFC’s official weight classes.  For more information, please visit community.ufcundisputed.com, facebook.com/UFCUndisputed and twitter.com/UFC_Undisputed.   

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Undisputed 2010 Mobile Review

UFC Undisputed 2010 is now available for the IPhone, IPod Touch, and IPad... Modern technology. It seems like only a few years ago that I was marveling at Colecovision’s Rocky game, amazed that the characters looked “just like” their movie counterparts, when, if you look at it today, that really wasn’t the case. In fact, that wasn’t the case at all.

But when you fast forward to today’s video games and look at a product like THQ’s UFC Undisputed 2010 for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, it is amazing how far technology has come, both visually and gameplay wise.

As a New Yorker, I am still a skeptic though, so when I was told about the IPhone, IPod Touch, and Ipad version of UFC Undisputed 2010 (available today in Apple’s App store), I had my reservations. Then I turned the game on, and was floored by what THQ has done on such a small device. And for only $6.99, no less. Simply put, if you’re a fan of the Undisputed franchise, you’ll love this game, and if you’re new to the series, you will probably be converted.

Containing 25 UFC fighters spread out evenly over the organization’s five weight classes, the game allows you to fight one-off exhibition bouts, engage in a four bout Championship mode, earn achievements, and even post your results and see your rankings on the game’s leaderboards through Facebook and Twitter. It’s impressive stuff for a mobile phone game, but the real winners here are the graphics and the gameplay.

If you were impressed with the fighter graphics in the 360 and PS3 versions, you will feel likewise about the mobile version. Fighters are instantly recognizable and detailed, and animations are solid as well. Soundwise, Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan pop in with pertinent clips during the bout, and when it comes to gameplay sounds, there’s nothing like hearing the thud of a high kick to the head followed by the roar of the crowd.

Of course, to the true gamer, that’s all window dressing, so let’s get down to the gameplay. Everything is controlled by your fingers on the screen, whether its movement left and right (there is no up and down movement across the Octagon), your defense, your kicks and punches, or your takedown attempts. There’s also a special move button that’s used when a fighter’s strength meter is full and he’s in the right position. It’s a lot to deal with in theory, mirroring the complexity of mixed martial arts, but once you run through the detailed in game instructions and get a few bouts under your belt, it becomes second nature.

And while there will always be the temptation to button mash (a necessity when you are forced to tap the screen repeatedly to stuff a takedown attempt), a well-timed takedown, good defense, and some slick groundwork can negate that strategy pretty fast. In other words, to be successful, you have to be smart and tailor your gameplan to your opponent. Fighters like Brock Lesnar or Georges St-Pierre can get you to the mat in spite of your fast trigger fingers, and strikers like Junior Dos Santos can make your life miserable while standing.

So what do you do when the fight hits the mat? Well, just like a real MMA fight, you can control and improve your position, deliver ground strikes to your opponent, or look for a submission. And I bet you’re wondering how you pull that off on an IPhone. THQ has figured it out and it’s a spectacular mechanic that involves timing, a steady hand, and some quick thinking. When attempting to improve your position or escape a bad one, you will see a circle with an option for one position on the left and one on the right. When the circle turns green, you must rotate your finger around the circle in the proper direction until the circle is complete. If your opponent breaks your rhythm or you lose your place around the circle, you’re back where you started from. It keeps things fresh and interesting on the ground as you engage in a chess match with your foe. Submissions are even more fun to try, and after you’ve hit the button to attempt a sub, you are forced to trace your fingers through various shapes that increase in complexity depending on the submission and your position. If you’ve ever played the Star Wars Force Unleashed game, it’s a similar mechanic, and you must do the same thing – within seconds – to escape a submission attempt.

Again, I’ll say it – as far as mobile games go, this is one of the best, and it definitely ranks up there with the best portable games out there, regardless of system. If you’re a UFC fan – casual or hardcore – this is a must buy, especially for only $6.99.

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