News

October 15, 2007

TNA iMPACT! Briefing – Before Going Hands-On
By Louis Bedigian

A game so intense, Midway gave us mouth guards for protection (no joke).

Scot Lane’s (Studio Head at Midway LA) message was loud and clear at the world premiere event for TNA iMPACT!: “We want to set the bar for next-gen wrestling games.”

“To do that partnering up with TNA has been fantastic,” he says. “Their style of wrestling alone gives us a leg up. It’s much more aerial, the six-sided ring, the Ultimate X – all of this translates to a really cool video game.

“On top of that we have an eternal staff that is not only super excited to be working on this but super experienced. We have two guys, Sal Davita and Mark Turmell, who have been making video games for a long time. They did games like NBA Jam, Slugfest, NFL Blitz. They’re real experts at responsive, quick-action gameplay, which is what we’re gonna translate in TNA.”

TNA iMPACT! Xbox 360 screenshots

Sal Davita followed with a quick preview of the game. “One thing we pride ourselves on at Midway is the responsiveness for our controls,” he said. “When you throw a punch, something happens immediately. When you throw a kick, it happens immediately. The impacts feel good. It feels good to kick Kurt [Angle], especially Kurt.” [Crowd laughs.]

Sal informed us that Kurt – as well as the other wrestlers – may be kicked after being knocked down. “If I kick him in the gut he reacts with his gut. If I kick him in the face he reacts with his face.”

Sal also said that the developers are trying to “establish a cinematic quality to the game that will match the TNA production for their show.” Based on the initial demo, we can safely say they are on the right track. “We’re gonna try to do a lot of the same angles, and a lot of the shots, and a lot of the same effects.”


Motion-capture footage from the TNA Bound for Glory Fan Interaction.

Midway concluded the event by handing out Kurt Angle TNA Wrestling mouth guards. We don’t know if this was supposed to be a humorous reference to Angle’s defeat Sal Davita’s presentation or a grim message to those who intend to play the full version. Either way, we’re eagerly awaiting the next build and cannot wait for spring 2008. Even if it means losing a few teeth in the process.

All Photos and Story by Louis Bedigian. Game screenshot by Midway.