The in-game authenticity is clear. The THQ team consulted with Greg Jackson, world class trainer of UFC champions Jon Jones and George St. Pierre. Their discussions covered what the sim fans should appreciate – the essence of combat.

 

“In a game theory for a [combat] system, when you’re fighting somebody … in a controlled environment, you have the want, desire or need to put yourself in a great position to win,” said Jackson. “What you want to do is get yourself in good positions where no matter what the opponent does, you have yourself an answer.”

 

 

For the first time in an MMA game, fakes have been implemented. You can set yourself up and execute an array of moves.

 

As Jackson implied, every tip-toe, hesitation, slip and stutter can give an opponent’s oncoming strike away. The game creates a chess match in the stand-up game through different fight styles and different range for each fighter. THQ made sure to program carefully for this critical framework of their fighter.

 

“All the footwork and the stances went through a new pass,” said Neven Dravinsky, gameplay developer. “We motion captured with real UFC fighters for the stances. We brought in a bunch of guys –Frank Mir, Nate Diaz, Matt Hughes, Sean Sherk – so it was really cool since we have this new footwork attribute which dictates your navigation speed.”

 

What Dravinsky is getting at is simple: speed matters. Each fighter feels different based on who they are and how fast they should be depending on weight class. 

 

When asked about fighting in the octagon with multiple angles of attack, Dravinsky noted the conscientious efforts to not over-complicate the game while maintaining the core elements of the sport. With added fighter positions, including the half-stand against the cage, MMA enthusiasts can be sure to use a number of positions added to the game to their benefit.

Faced with the challenge of a genre that requires endless amounts of techniques and fight styles, THQ looked to balance out their control scheme through the multiple game play options and optional control layouts available to gamers.

 

“Recognizing that mixed martial arts is a very complex sport and requires a complex control scheme, we recognized that we want more people playing the game,” said Dravinsky. “The game is a lot of fun when you know how to play … so that’s something we needed to get people to understand.”

 

Still though, one of the biggest complaints in the past two UFC titles has been the inability to measure your performance in-game. The gamers who had trouble distinguishing if they were winning or losing a fight will welcome the new player huds and feedback provided. The departure from the broadcast presentation during the fight may prove to enhance the gameplay and in-fight strategy. 

 

The new on-screen composition brings gamers inside the ring – an aspect of sports gaming overlooked in a majority of titles. Many titles throw a broadcast perspective at gamers to mimic a real broadcast. What is forgotten is the idea that the gamers are playing the game from athlete’s perspective; performing in the athlete’s shoes. 

 

Undisputed 3 provides gamers with a number of real gyms and locations to train in across the world. Each location may specialize in different martial arts. Gamers can choose how to train their fighters in a number of disciplines, including some of the more influential martial arts seen in the UFC. One of those disciplines is the study of muay thai, which can be mastered at Team Sityodtong Boston within the game. Sityodtong is a unique gym, and the game’s layout of the facility in career mode depicts a striking resemblance to the real-life counterpart. 

 

While exploring the locations available to fighters, gamers will come across a number of training techniques borrowed from each gym’s training program. According to Dravinsky, the controller inputs practiced in training camps will train a gamer’s muscle memory – the motions on the thumb sticks will become more natural with the practice.

 

The game parallels the real world camps such as Jackson's MMA; Jackson likes to breakdown opponents on a detailed level. Sparring partners for his fighters will take on the tendencies of the opponent. Jackson touched on preparing Jon Jones for a recent title fight against Lyoto Machida.

 

“You can’t ever emulate a complete Machida - he’s too unique, he’s too unorthodox,” said Jackson. “What you try to do is emulate elements of him – a certain thing he does here or there. Then you are able to simulate it enough where your guy is used to the key elements of what he does ... It goes back to utility and what he does over and over again.”

 

The THQ team has carefully studied MMA for this title. The additions of new animations, new control design and refined textures and lighting have fight fans anxiously waiting. Feb. 14 will decide if the two-year development cycle is enough to bring true MMA simulation to life.

 

For more information on UFC Undisputed 3, check back soon for Operation Sport's in-depth coverage.