2K Games, the video game development company behind the wrestling franchise WWE 2K series has revealed the cover of its next instalment WWE 2K16 and it features none other than retired pro-wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin.
A decorated champion with 21 titles against his name in a career spanning over two decades and being honored with WWE Hall of Famer in 2009, Austin has been one of the most popular superstars of the “Attitude Era”.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with 2K to support the WWE 2K franchise, and now I’m absolutely honored to serve as the WWE 2K16 cover Superstar,” said Stone Cold Steve Austin. “No disrespect to the previous and extremely deserving WWE 2K cover Superstars – Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and John Cena – but it’s about time the franchise raised some hell with yours truly on the cover. I look forward to injecting a dose of ‘Texas Rattlesnake’ into this year’s game and overall campaign.”
WWE 2K16 is being developed for both old and present generation of consoles and will release on 27 October 2015 in North America and 30 October worldwide. According to 2K, 2K16 will have the largest roaster of wrestlers the franchise has ever seen with the game boasting over 120 playable characters.
“Stone Cold Steve Austin’s iconic style, unmistakable personality and worldwide reverence from the WWE Universe make him the ideal fit for WWE 2K16,” said 2K, VP of Marketing, Chris Snyder. “Not only will Austin grace the video game’s cover, but he’s involved in shaping its creative direction. Through his numerous contributions, inclusion on the largest roster in franchise history and the game’s to-be-announced features, WWE 2K16 is certain to put everyone on notice.”
This Monday Night RAW witnessed the unveil of the cover teaser which shows Austin digging up WWE championship title and bring back the golden days of wrestling.
WWE 2K16The Texas Rattlesnake Stone Cold – WWE Universe returns to WWE as the cover face of WWE 2K
Posted by AnimationXpress India on Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Also, along with the cover reveal one got a small glimpse of how the clothing will react in WWE 2K16. It will move in more realistic ways.
WWE 2K16 creative director, Lynell Jinks, uploaded a new short video on how clothing will react when wrestlers move. He said it’s “still a work in progress, but it’s showing a lot of promise“.
The video itself shows a little model of John Cena making his entrance into the ring. The subtle clothing animations will make them react in more realistic ways.
This video also confirms that John Cena will be in WWE 2K16. Not that this is surprising, since he’s the “face” of the WWE. It was also announced earlier this week that Stone Cold Steve Austin will be on the cover.
Dynamic animation is missing from the previous WWE 2K games and fans are hoping that the wrestlers have more realism in the way they look on the screen. Clothing animation improvements will be a step in the direction but many want realistic hair movements as well. Hair is more noticeable when you play as Divas or other WWE Superstars that have long hair. Hopefully hair animation has been improved for WWE 2K16 as well.