2. Controlled Entrances
Now this is a little out of left field and would actually require some true changes to the game and some additional mechanics. I noted previously how entrances nowadays are pretty good with the animations etc but it does get a little boring when every entrance a superstar makes is exactly the same. Lets face it, after a while we tend to skip entrances altogether. Would it not be beneficial so that people pay attention and want to see entrances if we, the player, could control our character as they make their way to the ring? Now bear with me as I explain my thoughts; firstly, an entrance would play out as normal if the player didnt press anything or it would skip as normal if they pressed start. Now, lets say that each superstar has up to 4 poses they could pull (akin to FIFAs celebration poses) as well as environment specific actions that can be triggered. These triggers would mark the transition from one segment to another in 4 parts much like there is now. (Stage, Ramp, Ringside and In-ring) To make what I propose a little easier to understand, lets use everyones favourite, CM Punk, as an example; Cult of Personality hits and out comes Punk to a chorus of boos and cheers. Immediately you can give your analogue stick a tickle and move him around the stage area, pushing and holding buttons to have him raise his arms / Shout at the crowd etc. After a minute or so you decide you want to make your way to the ring and, as you reach the top of the ramp, an onscreen trigger asks you to press a button to have him feel the sand and declare to all that it is indeed a time to begin some clobberin. If you were to leave your pad alone, the rest of the entrance would play out as normal but, again if you flick the stick, you can take your merry time sauntering down the ramp, shouting expletives to the crowd members huddling about the rails or, if you want to get the match started quickly, run into the ring and forget the entrance BS. Again, once you reach the matted area, another trigger occurs as he turns to walk up the steps and again, if you wish, you can take over. Perhaps you quite like flipping off the crowd or you fancy telling Michael Cole just how much you hate his commentary. Eventually though you decide to enter the ring, either by walking up the steps (Trigger!) or by sliding under the bottom rope. You get the idea by now surely and the option is always there to get the match started while the music is still playing. Further adding to the experience! Much like other elements I have suggested there are pitfalls that would need to be considered. The most glaring of course being the camera dilemma! You wouldnt want such an experience ruined if the camera switches to the floating gameplay angle now would you? I dont see too much of a control issue if the camera doesnt change, but instead, a generic cinematic camera is used for different location outside of the superstars usual template. Another bug could be that you could very well end up walking into your opponent, the ref or anyone else at ringside but again, some smart environment actions wouldnt go a miss here. For example if youre a heel your character could simply push the camera men slightly or get in the face of his opponent etc. Sure this would be quite an additional feature and isnt as easy to implement as other suggestions. However, it would make entrances that bit more engaging and interactive as well as giving Created Wrestlers a bit more personality instead of using pre-set templates. Click below for the final addition...