Interviews// WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2008: Keith Kirby

SPOnG: You mention in your presentation more WWE tie-in games – are there any ideas floating around in your head, could we see plenty of spin-off games maybe in the future? Maybe games based solely on particular wrestlers?

Keith Kirby: That’s definitely one of the things we’re looking at. We’re looking at all different sorts of ways to bring WWE to the customer – if the customers want it, we will make it for them, right? And not only are we talking about new ideas, we’re talking about new platforms and new ways of experiencing it. For example, Smackdown vs RAW last year added a GM mode – that’s a new way of experiencing the brand. Maybe there are ways to create other things within the Smackdown vs RAW experience or maybe there are ways to create other games that we release in different parts of the year. But we’ll keep thinking about it and try to create things that the customers want to see. We’re doing focus tests, we’re getting massive opinions from the fans and speaking to the press… I mean, what game would you like to have next?


SPOnG: I’m not too sure really, now that I’m put on the spot. Something that would involve the Divas more I guess, but that says a lot about me doesn’t it? How about yourself, are there any ideas, stillborn or not, rattling around?

Keith Kirby: I wish I could tell you (Laughs). If I told you all the things I was planning it probably wouldn’t make any sense.


SPOnG: I just hope you’re not thinking along the lines of Mortal Kombat Mythologies when you mention potential spin-offs…

Keith Kirby: No, no that’s nothing like I had in mind. (Laughs) I mean you have many levels in wrestling, right? You’ve got a huge character roster, something could be done to greater detail the character side of things; you have story element so you could focus more on narrative… so there’s lots of ways we can go with this.


SPOnG: What kind of challenges did you face when developing Smackdown vs RAW 2008?

Keith Kirby: The biggest challenge is always trying to be current with the brand. The WWE is constantly changing under our feet and it’s very difficult to get a current roster, to stay on top of current storylines. All aspects of the brand need constant checking and rechecking.

The other difficult part is being able to get access to superstars. The WWE is very gracious with giving us access, but it’s hard and expensive at times for us to do that – in order to get the voice over sessions we rent this bus for about half a million dollars to follow the WWE all around the country. A bus! But we have a whole team of about six people in a bus following them around and just recording stuff from the wrestlers in order to get the game done. Then we have to take photos of them, we have to make scans of them… it’s a lot of work to get all that stuff done. It’s very challenging.

The other thing that became a big challenge this year, is that this game is going on six platforms and it’s a different experience on each of those consoles. It’s very hard to make that much content in a year’s timeframe.


SPOnG: I assume since you’ve been following the wrestlers, it’s no wonder that they feel a connection with the final product.

Keith Kirby: The wrestlers love the game - ask Mr Kennedy if he likes the game (Note: He does). They think it’s great to be able to be in a video game, they think it’s fun to be able to play as themselves, and they like the work of it because it’s one more extension of the franchise. So, they think it’s wonderful.


SPOnG: Development wise, what has been the most exciting thing about working on Smackdown vs RAW?

Keith Kirby: I’m going to go back to the THQ Superstar Challenge, but that’s really the most fun I’ve had. You have wrestlers playing in front of hundreds and hundreds of fans and what’s fun about that is… there are even the days leading up to Wrestlemania these superstars are taking time out of their day to help support THQ and the Smackdown game. And they do it because they love the game. We get a chance to hang out with them and get good seats at Wrestlemania, and for us to be able to hang out with the superstars – I mean even today, hanging out with Ken Kennedy is a blast! He’s a riot, so cool and so funny. It’s just fun to be hanging out with this top talent and spend time with them. It makes the work all worthwhile.


SPOnG: Finally, being a big hardcore gaming fan, what’s your favourite game? It must be a really hard decision I’d gather.

Keith Kirby: It’s not a hard decision for me at all – fortunately it’s a THQ game (Smiles). It’s Company of Heroes. It was the highest rated PC game last year, I feel it’s the best game I’ve ever played. I wish I had more time in the day to play it – I know my children and my wife have suffered because it exists… I think it’s a brilliant game and I’m looking forward to the new version that’s coming out real soon. I just had a chance to play it and let me tell everyone, it’s a fantastic project.


SPOnG: You know you’re a hardcore gamer when it starts to affect relationships. Thank you very much for your time.

Keith Kirby: Thank you so much, I appreciate it.