WWF War Zone
Encyclopedia
WWF War Zone is a 1998 professional wrestling
video game featuring wrestlers from the World Wrestling Federation, developed
by Acclaim Studios Salt Lake
and released by Acclaim Entertainment
in 1998 for the PlayStation, Nintendo 64
, and Game Boy
. It was the first 3D
WWF title to be released, the first new WWF title since 1996's WWF in Your House
, and is also the first WWF title released during the company's famed "Attitude" era
. The game was followed by a sequel
, WWF Attitude
. The game engine used in War Zone and Attitude was later used in Acclaim's ECW
video game titles following the end of their licensing deal with the WWF.
Early in development, the game was called WWF '98 and featured a different ring and arena.
n professional titles at that time. In addition to being the first 3D WWF title, the N64 version also featured high resolution 640x480
character models. The game's graphics
were motion capture
d to reflect the unique way in which each wrestler executed his moves.
The game's momentum system is somewhat unique to the game. A character builds momentum by varying the moves he executes as well as by taunting the opponent. Repeating moves will have the crowd boo the character and give momentum to the opponent. The crowd will chant for the wrestler with maximum momentum, multiplying the damage the wrestler can do for the duration of the chant.
The game's create-a-player mode was quite popular at the time of the game's release, as it was quite extensive for a 3D game.
Each match starts with the wrestlers in the ring as the game's commentators, Vince McMahon
and Jim Ross
, comment on each of them (in the WWF Challenge mode, the wrestlers have brief entrances at the top of the ramp as the commentators comment). Each wrestler has voice samples that play during each match, usually after the successful execution of a move or taunt. There are also sampled crowd chants, some of which are unique to each wrestler.
The PlayStation version also features full motion video
with video clips of WWF events, as well as 3D interludes of the apocalyptic "War Zone" set once seen in the introduction of WWF's War Zone
program. The game begins with a video intro of the player entering the "War Zone" and the main menu is an elevator with buttons that the player selects to access the various game modes.
The game's grapple system was unique at the time of the game's release. It featured punch, kick and initial grapple buttons. Grapple moves are done by performing an initial grapple and inputting a sequence of control pad presses ended by a button press. A variety of grapples moves can be done depending on the current position of the opponent.
The single player
game is highlighted by the "WWF Challenge" mode - in which the player selects a character and challenges for WWF titles. The player begins on the bottom of a pyramid
of television monitors with wrestler's portraits on them and works up the pyramid by winning matches against wrestlers ranked immediately above in the hierarchy (the initial rankings of these wrestlers are random). Sometimes previously defeated wrestlers will challenge the player to a "Grudge match." This is signified in the PlayStation version by a video clip of the wrestler in the War Zone issuing a challenge. These matches will usually be weapons or cage matches. If the player loses, he falls back down in ranking. As the player progresses towards the top of the pyramid, the player challenges for the Intercontinental Championship
and then the WWF Championship
.
At certain points in the game in the PlayStation version, the player sees clips of a groupie
that either expresses interest or disinterest in the player according to whether certain matches are won or lost. After earning a spot directly under the wrestler at the top, the wrestler challenges the top wrestler for the WWF Championship. By winning the game with certain characters, the player can unlock certain special features and alternate costumes.
There are nine modes of play in total, several of which allow configurations for up to four human players. Base modes include one-on-one, tag team, cage match, weapons match, tornado tag team, war (elimination free for all), and two exclusive modes in the Nintendo 64 version; Royal Rumble and gauntlet. War Zone also includes a training mode in which the player can freely practice the moves of their chosen wrestler against a trainer in a facility resembling a gym.
like its PlayStation counterpart does. Instead, the N64 version features midi-style theme songs and text grudge match challenges as opposed to the video challenges found in the PlayStation version. However, the N64 version has two exclusive modes; Royal Rumble
and Gauntlet. Also, gamers have noticed that the N64 version sports a ring canvas with a yellowish hue. The N64 version had one more additional unlockable cheat option which turned player shadows into full colour reflections.
and the last WWF game released for the original Game Boy. Due to obvious hardware limitations, it is a bit more limited than its PlayStation and Nintendo 64 counterparts. Modes of play include singles, tag team, cage match, and WWF Challenge (progress is kept via a password feature). There is also an option to use "two out of three fall" rules. There is no create-a-wrestler mode. Also, in this version, all wrestlers share the same moveset except for their finishing moves. Finally, the Game Boy version of War Zone does not feature Bret Hart, The Headbangers, or any of the secret characters.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
video game featuring wrestlers from the World Wrestling Federation, developed
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
by Acclaim Studios Salt Lake
Acclaim Entertainment
Acclaim Entertainment was an American video game developer and publisher. It developed, published, marketed and distributed interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms, including Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast, and Game Gear, Nintendo's NES, SNES, Nintendo...
and released by Acclaim Entertainment
Acclaim Entertainment
Acclaim Entertainment was an American video game developer and publisher. It developed, published, marketed and distributed interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms, including Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast, and Game Gear, Nintendo's NES, SNES, Nintendo...
in 1998 for the PlayStation, Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
, and Game Boy
Game Boy
The , is an 8-bit handheld video game device developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on , in North America in , and in Europe on...
. It was the first 3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
WWF title to be released, the first new WWF title since 1996's WWF in Your House
WWF In Your House
WWF In Your House is a video game for the PlayStation, DOS, and Sega Saturn released in 1996. It was developed by Sculptured Software and published by Acclaim Entertainment.-Description:...
, and is also the first WWF title released during the company's famed "Attitude" era
The Attitude Era
The Attitude Era was a period in World Wrestling Federation and professional wrestling history that began as a direct result of the Monday Night Wars, a television ratings conflict between the WWF and longtime rival promotion World Championship Wrestling that lasted from 1995 to 2001...
. The game was followed by a sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
, WWF Attitude
WWF Attitude
WWF Attitude is a professional wrestling video game based on the World Wrestling Federation released by Acclaim Entertainment in July 1999 for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. A slightly enhanced port of the game was later released for the Dreamcast, as well as a handheld version for the Game Boy...
. The game engine used in War Zone and Attitude was later used in Acclaim's ECW
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
video game titles following the end of their licensing deal with the WWF.
Early in development, the game was called WWF '98 and featured a different ring and arena.
Features
War Zone has many features which were unique to North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n professional titles at that time. In addition to being the first 3D WWF title, the N64 version also featured high resolution 640x480
Display resolution
The display resolution of a digital television or display device is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. It can be an ambiguous term especially as the displayed resolution is controlled by all different factors in cathode ray tube , flat panel or projection...
character models. The game's graphics
Computer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
were motion capture
Motion capture
Motion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model. It is used in military, entertainment, sports, and medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics...
d to reflect the unique way in which each wrestler executed his moves.
The game's momentum system is somewhat unique to the game. A character builds momentum by varying the moves he executes as well as by taunting the opponent. Repeating moves will have the crowd boo the character and give momentum to the opponent. The crowd will chant for the wrestler with maximum momentum, multiplying the damage the wrestler can do for the duration of the chant.
The game's create-a-player mode was quite popular at the time of the game's release, as it was quite extensive for a 3D game.
Each match starts with the wrestlers in the ring as the game's commentators, Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
and Jim Ross
Jim Ross
James William "Jim" Ross is a professional wrestling commentator, former professional wrestling referee, restaurateur, occasional wrestler, and former company executive of WWE, where he currently works as a commentator on the WWE Raw brand...
, comment on each of them (in the WWF Challenge mode, the wrestlers have brief entrances at the top of the ramp as the commentators comment). Each wrestler has voice samples that play during each match, usually after the successful execution of a move or taunt. There are also sampled crowd chants, some of which are unique to each wrestler.
The PlayStation version also features full motion video
Full motion video
Full motion video based games are video games that rely upon pre-recorded TV-quality movie or animation rather than sprites, vectors, or 3D models to display action in the game. In the early 1990s a diverse set of games utilized this format...
with video clips of WWF events, as well as 3D interludes of the apocalyptic "War Zone" set once seen in the introduction of WWF's War Zone
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
program. The game begins with a video intro of the player entering the "War Zone" and the main menu is an elevator with buttons that the player selects to access the various game modes.
Gameplay
The single player
Single player
A Single-player video game is a video game where input from only one player is expected throughout the course of the gaming session. "Single-player game" usually implies a game that can only be played by one person, while "single-player mode" usually refers to a game mode for a single player, where...
game is highlighted by the "WWF Challenge" mode - in which the player selects a character and challenges for WWF titles. The player begins on the bottom of a pyramid
Pyramid
A pyramid is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge at a single point. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilateral, or any polygon shape, meaning that a pyramid has at least three triangular surfaces...
of television monitors with wrestler's portraits on them and works up the pyramid by winning matches against wrestlers ranked immediately above in the hierarchy (the initial rankings of these wrestlers are random). Sometimes previously defeated wrestlers will challenge the player to a "Grudge match." This is signified in the PlayStation version by a video clip of the wrestler in the War Zone issuing a challenge. These matches will usually be weapons or cage matches. If the player loses, he falls back down in ranking. As the player progresses towards the top of the pyramid, the player challenges for the Intercontinental Championship
WWE Intercontinental Championship
The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is the original secondary title of the promotion. Currently, it is the secondary championship exclusive to the SmackDown brand...
and then the WWF Championship
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
.
At certain points in the game in the PlayStation version, the player sees clips of a groupie
Groupie
A groupie is a person who seeks emotional and sexual intimacy with a musician or other celebrity. "Groupie" is derived from group in reference to a musical group, but the word is also used in a more general sense, especially in casual conversation....
that either expresses interest or disinterest in the player according to whether certain matches are won or lost. After earning a spot directly under the wrestler at the top, the wrestler challenges the top wrestler for the WWF Championship. By winning the game with certain characters, the player can unlock certain special features and alternate costumes.
There are nine modes of play in total, several of which allow configurations for up to four human players. Base modes include one-on-one, tag team, cage match, weapons match, tornado tag team, war (elimination free for all), and two exclusive modes in the Nintendo 64 version; Royal Rumble and gauntlet. War Zone also includes a training mode in which the player can freely practice the moves of their chosen wrestler against a trainer in a facility resembling a gym.
PlayStation vs. Nintendo 64
The two versions have various trade-offs in game features. The N64 version features higher resolution character models, but no CD quality music or full motion videoFull motion video
Full motion video based games are video games that rely upon pre-recorded TV-quality movie or animation rather than sprites, vectors, or 3D models to display action in the game. In the early 1990s a diverse set of games utilized this format...
like its PlayStation counterpart does. Instead, the N64 version features midi-style theme songs and text grudge match challenges as opposed to the video challenges found in the PlayStation version. However, the N64 version has two exclusive modes; Royal Rumble
Royal Rumble
The Royal Rumble is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced every January by WWE, a professional wrestling promotion based in Connecticut. The event was created in 1988, with its inaugural event taking place on January 24, 1988 at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario...
and Gauntlet. Also, gamers have noticed that the N64 version sports a ring canvas with a yellowish hue. The N64 version had one more additional unlockable cheat option which turned player shadows into full colour reflections.
Game Boy port
A Game Boy port of War Zone was also released, which was the first WWF game on a handheld console since 1994's WWF RawWWF Raw (video game)
WWF RAW is a video game based on the television show of the same name produced by the World Wrestling Federation, released for the SNES, Sega 32X, Mega Drive/Genesis, and Game Boy in late 1994 and early 1995 by Acclaim Entertainment...
and the last WWF game released for the original Game Boy. Due to obvious hardware limitations, it is a bit more limited than its PlayStation and Nintendo 64 counterparts. Modes of play include singles, tag team, cage match, and WWF Challenge (progress is kept via a password feature). There is also an option to use "two out of three fall" rules. There is no create-a-wrestler mode. Also, in this version, all wrestlers share the same moveset except for their finishing moves. Finally, the Game Boy version of War Zone does not feature Bret Hart, The Headbangers, or any of the secret characters.