10 Mistakes That Led To WWE 2K's Downfall

5. Focusing On Lighting

WWE 2K18 Triple H Mania
2K Games

2K18 fared better on other systems like PS4 and Xbox One, but there was a nagging doubt creeping around there too. Before release, 2K made a big deal out of their brand spanking new lighting engine - that, they said, would bathe character models in beautiful cascades of light and create the most realistic-looking WWE experience yet.

Sort of.

The truth is that 2K were trying to mask archaic inadequacies. Sure, several characters (like the Triple H model shown above) looked resplendent, but not everyone had the same care lavished on their character. In fact, a large portion of the roster seemed to hide behind the lighting in shadows rather than bursting from them with serious attention to detail.

It's almost like 2K started to rely more on lighting than proper graphics on the models themselves. They quickly realised that they could mask blemishes, dodgy-looking facial features, dead eyes and hair so stiff it looked like it hadn't been washed since SmackDown 2: Know Your Role.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.