Developer Visual Concepts told us what changes there will be in WWE 2K24 game modes.
Visual Concepts and 2K Games have announced WWE 2K24, the latest installment in the popular wrestling series. The game is expected to be released on March 8, 2024. We spoke to Creative Director Lynell Jinks and Producer Bryan Williams about the most important innovations and changes and summarized them for you.
WWE 2K24: This is new in Showcase mode
For the 40th anniversary of the flagship event WrestleMania, this year’s Showcase mode is intended to commemorate the greatest moments from the last four decades. Under the name Showcase… there will be a total of 21 matches to be played, in which legends such as Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and “Macho Man” Randy Savage will of course not be missing. With the help of the Slingshot technology already known from its predecessors, gameplay and real film scenes seemingly merge seamlessly and give the mode the framework of a playable sports documentary. The event is summarized by WWE ring announcer Cory Graves, who also leads through the traditional interview segments.
Because parent company 2K doesn’t automatically have the rights to use an likeness of every wrestling hero from the last 40 years of WrestleMania, it was a lengthy process for the developers to put together a representative selection of matches. Nevertheless, the team was ultimately very satisfied with the result. Some of the characters appearing have even been said to have never been seen in a WWE 2K game before. However, you shouldn’t be too excited about appearances by non-wrestling celebrities who often played a role in the history of WrestleMania, including Mr. T., Pamela Anderson and Mike Tyson. The matches on show are supposed to be classic clashes between WWE greats like the Undertaker or Shawn Michaels. Unfortunately, we will probably have to do without chaotic interludes like Knoxville vs. Zayn or Miz vs. Snoop Dogg.
WWE 2K24: These are the new match types
However, a few unusual match types are finding their way into WWE 2K24 (buy now for $99.99): Ambulance, Gauntlet and Casket Match are supposed to be part of the selection again, and the Special Referee Match is also coming back, in which you take on the role of a wrestler Official. In the Creation Suite, you can also use the new Create-a-Referee function to create your own characters who can then referee a match as a guest referee. In addition, the pool of possible referees has been expanded. Seven official WWE referees are now available to choose from.
WWE 2K24: This is new in MyGM mode
The changes to MyGM mode include additional match types, championships and a new feature called Superstar Journey, which allows wrestlers to gain experience points and acquire attributes. According to creative director Jinks, the RPG elements are intended to give the audience a stronger bond with their own roster.
WWE 2K24: This is new in MyRise mode
In 2024, the MyRise career mode will once again consist of two different storylines, Unleashed and Undisputed, in which we lead a wrestler to the top of their respective division. Once again, we create our own character instead of selecting a character from the existing roster. In the men’s storyline, we’re trying to take the title from WWE boss Roman Reigns and then hold it for at least that long, i.e. over 1000 days. In Unleashed we are the founders of our own wrestling promotion and are then recruited by William Regal to the WWE, where we first have to work our way to the top.
WWE 2K24 Universe: This is what’s new in this mode
Universe mode will only be expanded to include a few features this year. There will be new cutscenes, a Money in the Bank run-in event, title fights for two belts at the same time and the “Loser Leaves Town” match condition, in which the loser has to leave the promotion. You can also book new match types such as Special Referee in Universe mode.
WWE 2K24 Creation Mode: This is what’s new
This year, in addition to the option to create a referee, the Creation Suite also offers the Create-a-Sign feature, where you can create your own fan signs. You can upload images into an image uploader and then equip them for your superstars.
WWE 2K24: Pre-order bonuses, editions, release and online functionality
WWE 2K24 will be released in a total of three different editions:
The standard version for current and last-gen consoles (excluding Switch) and PC should be in stores on March 8, 2024. The last-gen and PC versions cost $59.99, while the PS5 and Xbox versions cost $69.99. The cover features “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes.
If you want to play the game on both old and new devices, you should purchase the standard version in the Cross-Gen Digital Edition ($69.99), in which the game can be played on last and current generation within the same console family. devices will be playable.
The deluxe edition will cost $99.99 and, in addition to the season pass with the promised five DLC packs, will also include the Nightmare Family Pack, which contains alternative outfits for Cody Rhodes as well as his father Dusty and his rival Billy Graham should. The edition also contains boosters for MyRise and cards for the online component MyFaction. It will be released three days before the official release for pre-orderers on March 5th. The cover features WWE wrestlers Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley, whose cards are included as a bonus.
The Forty Years of WrestleMania Edition costs just €119.99 and includes the contents of the deluxe version plus alternative outfits and MyFaction cards for the Macho Man, Triple H, Charlotte Flair, Rey Mysterio and Rhea Ripley. In addition, all characters from Showcase mode are unlocked immediately without you having to play the part. Like the deluxe edition, the WrestleMania edition will also be released on March 5th. Various WWE legends can be seen on the cover.
The full list of available characters has not yet been published. As in its immediate predecessor, the number should exceed the 200 mark. However, it is still unclear how many wrestlers will be available from the start, which ones will have to be unlocked and which ones will have to be acquired via DLC. We don’t expect the roster to be fully revealed until shortly before release. When asked how long 2K Games plans to ensure online functionality this year, the developers unfortunately did not give a concrete answer. The exact duration will only be communicated at a later date.
Transparency note: The interview about the game took place digitally; the information was provided in advance by the publisher.
