With Authority
Encyclopedia
WWF With Authority was an online wrestling game created by Genetic Anomalies in conjunction with World Wrestling Federation as it was known at the time, and THQ
. It was the first WWF game released solely on home computers since WWF European Rampage Tour
in 1992.
As a result of a lawsuit between the WWF and the World Wildlife Fund
, the game's official title became WWE With Authority! in the summer of 2002.
in electronic form. Players could purchase virtual "Pages" and assemble them into a "Playbook." This playbook would represent the moves and abilities that your wrestler would be capable of pulling off in the ring.
WWE With Authority! was distributed as a downloadable freeware
game and was available on CD in retail stores for US$5.00. The retail version came with a redemption code for a William Regal
starter playbook. Players could purchase additional preconstructed playbooks for superstars consisting of complete selections of plays for US$10.00. Booster packs were also available for US$3.00 that include an assortment of random individual pages to accentuate your existing playbooks. A certain amount of rarer cards were guaranteed in each booster.
There is a single player mode, which is intended as a tutorial. Only one opponent in the tutorial is truly playable. The game was primarily geared towards the online multiplayer game, where as many as 1,000 people were available at any given time during the game's height. The game kept track of the player's wins, losses and draws, as well as the number of times a player has been cut off in the middle of a match. This feature was to discourage players from terminating the program to avoid taking a loss.
This was the first set of the game. Established the framework and environment.
This expansion rounded the game out to a complete play environment.
This "mini-expansion" was on sale only for a month or two. It was developed during the show itself, with designers at the event taking notes then scrambling back to implement, code and test the set. The main theme was the inclusion of the NWO.
The "Tables, Ladders and Chairs" expansion greatly increased the number of hardcore and illegal moves and special cards available to players. Concurrent with this set was the release of the new "Ladder Match".
This set included 238 reprints from Season One and 12 Superstars. These Superstars were new versions of existing superstars, including new gameplay text. This update scheme received a mixed reaction.
Based on the results from the X8 mini-expansion, Genetic Anomalies released SummerSlam 2002. This set featured Shawn Michaels (returning from a four year break from WWE) and Brock Lesnar (who captured his first WWE Championship).
This set marked the return to themes that were based more on card mechanics and less on storyline development.
Preview cards of this expansion set were released in October and November 2002. Rey Mysterio and Tajiri and their trademark moves were put on sale in Limited Edition form. This set was originally scheduled for a mid-December 2002 release.
, also from Genetic Anomalies. Player reception to the new genre was initially lukewarm. Some players were not comfortable with the concept of paying money for intangible goods . While subsequent online collectible card games have enjoyed success, including Magic: The Gathering Online
, Genetic Anomalies would not survive to see the genre flourish.
There was also a WWF collectible card game released at about the same time entitled Raw Deal, which was considered to be a better alternative to the online version.
for a chat room/server, and the original WA! client as before. There were also page changes in 2004.
Also in WA! P2P, there are six Guide sets (meaning each account has at least five of every page (excluding promotional pages). There are also eleven weekly events, two monthly events, totaling at least 45 official events a month. There are also title accounts which a current champion may use the belt if s/he wins the title, including: The World Heavyweight Title, Cruiserweight Title, Intercontinental Title, European Title, Hardcore Title, and Tsunami Cup.
Various websites continue to offer competition and community for the game.
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
. It was the first WWF game released solely on home computers since WWF European Rampage Tour
WWF European Rampage Tour
WWF European Rampage Tour is a game based on the World Wrestling Federation, created by Arc Developments in 1992 for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and MSDOS. It capitalizes on the success of the previous WWF game for home computers, WWF Wrestlemania, and was aimed predominantly at the European...
in 1992.
As a result of a lawsuit between the WWF and the World Wildlife Fund
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
, the game's official title became WWE With Authority! in the summer of 2002.
Gameplay
At its core, WWE With Authority! was a Collectible Card GameCollectible card game
thumb|Players and their decksA collectible card game , also called a trading card game or customizable card game, is a game played using specially designed sets of playing cards...
in electronic form. Players could purchase virtual "Pages" and assemble them into a "Playbook." This playbook would represent the moves and abilities that your wrestler would be capable of pulling off in the ring.
WWE With Authority! was distributed as a downloadable freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
game and was available on CD in retail stores for US$5.00. The retail version came with a redemption code for a William Regal
Darren Matthews
Darren Kenneth Matthews , is an English professional wrestler, author and color commentator currently signed to WWE and competing on the SmackDown brand under the ring name William Regal. He is also known for his time in World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Steven Regal...
starter playbook. Players could purchase additional preconstructed playbooks for superstars consisting of complete selections of plays for US$10.00. Booster packs were also available for US$3.00 that include an assortment of random individual pages to accentuate your existing playbooks. A certain amount of rarer cards were guaranteed in each booster.
There is a single player mode, which is intended as a tutorial. Only one opponent in the tutorial is truly playable. The game was primarily geared towards the online multiplayer game, where as many as 1,000 people were available at any given time during the game's height. The game kept track of the player's wins, losses and draws, as well as the number of times a player has been cut off in the middle of a match. This feature was to discourage players from terminating the program to avoid taking a loss.
Season One
- First Edition, 196 cards (February 21, 2001)
This was the first set of the game. Established the framework and environment.
- No Way Out, 145 cards (December 12, 2001)
This expansion rounded the game out to a complete play environment.
- WrestleMania X8, 25 cards (late March, 2002)
This "mini-expansion" was on sale only for a month or two. It was developed during the show itself, with designers at the event taking notes then scrambling back to implement, code and test the set. The main theme was the inclusion of the NWO.
Season Two
- TLC, 160 cards (May 16, 2002)
The "Tables, Ladders and Chairs" expansion greatly increased the number of hardcore and illegal moves and special cards available to players. Concurrent with this set was the release of the new "Ladder Match".
- Second Edition, 250 cards (June 2002)
This set included 238 reprints from Season One and 12 Superstars. These Superstars were new versions of existing superstars, including new gameplay text. This update scheme received a mixed reaction.
- SummerSlam 2002, 25 cards (August 2002)
Based on the results from the X8 mini-expansion, Genetic Anomalies released SummerSlam 2002. This set featured Shawn Michaels (returning from a four year break from WWE) and Brock Lesnar (who captured his first WWE Championship).
- Unforgiven, 200 cards (September 27, 2002)
This set marked the return to themes that were based more on card mechanics and less on storyline development.
- "Expansion Eight", around 150 cards (unreleased)
Preview cards of this expansion set were released in October and November 2002. Rey Mysterio and Tajiri and their trademark moves were put on sale in Limited Edition form. This set was originally scheduled for a mid-December 2002 release.
Criticism
WWE With Authority! was one of the first online collectible card games, along with Chron XChron X
Chron X is an online collectible card game and a turn-based strategy game in which you battle your opponent over the Internet with an arsenal of agents, weapons, programs, and resources chosen from your deck of virtual cards....
, also from Genetic Anomalies. Player reception to the new genre was initially lukewarm. Some players were not comfortable with the concept of paying money for intangible goods . While subsequent online collectible card games have enjoyed success, including Magic: The Gathering Online
Magic: The Gathering Online
Magic: The Gathering Online or Magic Online is a direct video game adaptation of Magic: The Gathering, utilizing the concept of a virtual economy in order to preserve the collectible aspect of the card game. It is played through an Internet service operated by Wizards of the Coast, which went...
, Genetic Anomalies would not survive to see the genre flourish.
There was also a WWF collectible card game released at about the same time entitled Raw Deal, which was considered to be a better alternative to the online version.
Shutdown
In January 2003, THQ ceased production of the game. The server remained online for several months. The freeware client can still be downloaded from some freeware distribution sites, but the game is no longer officially supported.Peer-2-Peer
In 2003, just weeks before support ceased, a peer-to-peer version of the game was released by THQ such that existing players could continue using the game with the pages they purchased. This way, players would connect though IP addresses. Now, there is With Authority! Peer-2-Peer. This version of the game uses mIRCMIRC
mIRC is an Internet Relay Chat client for Microsoft Windows, created in 1995 and developed by Khaled Mardam-Bey. Although it is a fully functional chat utility, its integrated scripting language makes it extensible and versatile....
for a chat room/server, and the original WA! client as before. There were also page changes in 2004.
Also in WA! P2P, there are six Guide sets (meaning each account has at least five of every page (excluding promotional pages). There are also eleven weekly events, two monthly events, totaling at least 45 official events a month. There are also title accounts which a current champion may use the belt if s/he wins the title, including: The World Heavyweight Title, Cruiserweight Title, Intercontinental Title, European Title, Hardcore Title, and Tsunami Cup.
Various websites continue to offer competition and community for the game.
External links
- Artwork and screenshots
- WWF With Authority (PC) at GameSpotGameSpotGameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
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