Fight Night Nation Podcast-Episode 1

At last our long awaited podcast is out.  PRGUY85, Rooster and Zfarls give out discussions on Buttons vs TPC and the recently announced Heavyweight Roster.  Bear in mind this first episode has it’s share of recording errors that WILL be fixed for Episode 2.  That being said, enjoy!

Heavyweight Roster Revealed

EA Sports is finally giving the fans a sneak peek at what the Heavyweight roster will bring about in Fight Night Round 4.  Here is a short trailer video created by Rooster with pictures of the boxers already disclosed:

Fight Night Round 4 Video Analysis

I already posted the IGN Video up and talked about their First Look article.  However I am going to post now my thoughts on the video.  It is deeper than what it seems at first sight.  Here is the video if you missed it:

0:11- That definitely looks like the Boardwalk venue.  Great atmosphere.

0:13- Ringwalks are in, as reported before.  Tyson comes in with his famous towel and there are 3 detailed game models behind him as his entourage.  Game models look extremely detailed, including his crew.

0:14- Robes are in, as reported before.  Two more crew models behind Ali.  So that’s already 5 different corner men on the game.  They are all extremely detailed too.  Fireworks are in for rinwalks as seen behind Ali.

0:17- Must note that this is all ACTUAL GAMEPLAY FOOTAGE.  Now more upclose with boxer models.  Extremely detailed and realistic lighting contrary to Round 3’s more stylized lighting system.  Can definitely notice what they have been saying about each muscle being detailed into the models.

0:21- Notice how Tyson ducks and gets close to Ali’s gloves when walking toward him.  That is the Inside Fighting right there and presumably the way boxers will fight when in close proximities.

0:22- Notice how Tyson’s straight misses Ali and goes right to his back.  This is what EA Sports was talking about with punches can land and go everywhere.

0:23- Facial animations are considerably better, specially cheek bones muscles and mouth reactions to punches landed.

0:27- Notice the press taking pictures right up close on the ring.

0:28- The Ali Shuffle is in.  Notice the corner men on the right corner.  This adds to the real-life boxing vibe fans yearn for this year.

0:30- Body punches and punches over all seem to really connect the other model.  Also, notice how Tyson walked in to Ali.  It really does feel like Tyson’s style was properly recreated for the game.

0:32- Devastating uppercut.  Again another punch that looks more like real life boxing matches.  Boxer face reactions help in delivering the sense of strength that single punch had.

0:33- Loving Ali’s bounce on his feet.  Again, at least with Ali and Tyson, style seem to be spot on.

0:34- Notice how Tyson evades Ali’s right hook while moving and ducking at the same time.  I do not remember being able to do that on Round 3.  Now, it’s not the parry that opens the opportunity for big punches but your actual upper body movement.  Also, it looks (like everything so far) a lot more realistic than the previous game.

0:39- Notice how Ali can abuse of his reach and how Tyson’s punches cannot reach him.  I guess this was somewhat shown on Round 3 but it is good to see they are actually developing it even more as it plays a big part in boxing strategy.

0:42- Was that a punch off a “parry” or block?  If it was, this mechanic already looks a lot better when compared to Round 3.  IGN already confirmed parry sytem as we know it is not in the game.

0:52- Do not know if that was a haymaker or just a well timed shot.  Judging by coverage by IGN and ESPN, now well timed shots are the ones that will have an effect on boxers not necessarily haymakers.  Ali counterpunched off a missed hook by Tyson and made him pay.  First time we have seen one of the boxers getting staggered.

0:54- Again notice face animation and cheek bone animation on Tyson’s face after getting punched by a devastating uppercut by Ali.

So that’s that.  Hope to hear your own comments on the video.  Stay tuned for more info.

Fight Night Round 4 IGN First Look

IGN has finally posted their first look on EA Sports Fight Night Round 4, due out for release later this Summer.  On the article they deployed the first in-game video featuring Ali and Tyson:

Some interesting points about the First Look article are:

1) Ability to save replays from your fights and share them online.

2) Haymakers don’t depend on how far back you wind up the stick.  It is now a modifier where a normal hook+right bumper will dish a haymaker.

3) Parry system is out.

4) Boxers can get Stunned by a good punch, in contrast to Round 3 where it was only by a Stun Punches.  When stunned boxers energy won’t go completely down but it won’t recharge until a certain amount of time after you get your legs under you.  Your ring movements and speed will go down while Stunned.

5) Getting up after a Knockdown now has you lining up an “avatar” with the left stick and then picking up your wobbly body with right stick.

6) Every possible stat is saved after your career mode fights.

That and a lot more is here:

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/961/961736p1.html

Hatton, Hearns, Chavez Confirmed for FNRD4 Roster?

The latest in a series of recent news reports on Fight Night Round 4 comes by way of the Canadian Press.  In a recent interview with Mike Tyson, The Canadian Press touched on several topics including his career, current favorites in the sport and details on Fight Night Round 4 where the heavyweight champion appears on the cover with legendary Muhammad Ali.  However, what is of interest is the fact that the article goes on to say some boxers that were still under the veil of secrecy in terms of roster appearance.  Tyson says:

"That's why everyone should get this game, because it puts Ali and me in our prime and has the two of us fighting magnificently well," Tyson told The Canadian Press in a telephone interview. "I haven't done well as Mike Tyson, but as Joe Frazier, I kicked a lot of ass.

"Maybe Joe Frazier is a better fighter in the game."

The article then states:

“Other fighters include Canadian Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns and Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez, as well as British light-welterweight Ricky Hatton and the man he will face live in the ring on May 2 in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao.”

http://bit.ly/IArkL (for the link to the article)

So, there you go.  Now we have confirmation by The Canadian Press that the likes of Joe Frazier, Tommy Hearns, Julio Cesar Chavez and George Foreman will appear in the game along with some other boxers we already knew of.

The Fight Night Round 4 Roster is finally taking shape and it looks so far like the best we have ever had so far.

Fight Night RD 4 on PS3 Mag: Hatton, Pacquiao Confirmed

More news coming from different sources for Fight Night Round 4.  A user on the IGN boards (crayoaMARKer) has posted pics from a recent PS3 magazine article on the latest boxing game.  The pics display the amount of details the ingame engine is displaying as well as confirms the inclusion of two more boxers into the roster: Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton.  Many of us already thought these two would be in the game but having them officially confirmed is even better.  Pictures of article after the jump:

 

 

Fight Night Round 4 Cover Unveiled

The cover displays both Ali and Tyson in accordance to how the fans voted for several months on the official Fight Night site.

Victor Ortiz Possibly on Fight Night Round 4 Roster

This comes by way of a MaxBoxing.com interview. Victor Ortiz manager said:

 
"Electronic Arts has just signed him and we are actually finalizing the last details of the contract, and there are some other people that have displayed some interest."

So, not a sure fire thing but perhaps this is another boxer we can count on for Fight Night Round 4 yet undisclosed roster.

New Fight Night Round 4 Video/Info

It has been a while since I posted a blog post, that is in no small part due to Twitter being the way I am currently pushing any short news on Fight Night.  Be that as it may, some info has been released that is worthy of its own blog post.  Last night, ESPN showed Mike Tyson and FN Producer/Developer Brian “Brizzo” Hayes going at it on Fight Night Round 4.  Here is a small portion of that segment:

So after watching that there are several things you might have noticed:

1) Ring walks will be prominent on the game.

2) Mike Tyson comes out with his trademark towel into the ring.

3) It appears that the Boardwalk is one of the venues that will be featured in the game.

4) Venues appear to be very active with great lighting and exciting crowd feel.

5) Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas CONFIRMED on the show that they are doing the game's commentary.

6) Bernard Hopkins is in the game, said by himself on the show.

Let’s hope this is the first of many gameplay videos and news about the game to come.