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Creating the Perfect Muay Thai and Kickboxing Game

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I don’t think there has been a sports kickboxing game since the days of the legendary Japanese promotion K-1. It’s a real shame too, especially when there is so much that could be done with it. Today I’m going to talk about my own personal pitch for a kickboxing game that wouldn’t just please kickboxing fans but would also just function as a great game on its own.

As a pre warning, today what you’re essentially going to hear is the fighting equivalent of that super cool possible Marvel game where you get to play as everyone… oh wait, that actually happened.

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Well where’s my kickboxing game!?

 

First let’s talk about the career mode and how it relates to the roster. UFC games have their roster of fighters who are under contract exclusively with them. However this is not the norm in combat sports; kickboxers will fight for lots of different shows and promotions the same way that boxers do and while there are organisations like K-1, which was hugely popular, fighters would come and go in between those shows.

The reason for this is because kickboxing doesn’t typically pay very well, not unless you’re a big superstar, because of this I personally like the idea of being able to fight in lots of different organisations, similarly to how in UFC Undisputed 3 you could fight in both the UFC and Pride, and how in EA Sports MMA (which had fantastic ideas in its career mode but suffered from the combat being awful) you had a large variety of options of where to fight over the course of your career.

My own personal picks would be:

K-1

Glory

WKA

Thai Stadiums

 

Now for those of you who are not in the know, the differences between these organisations are quite important. K-1 and Glory are the most similar, being big promotions with rule sets that allow limited clinching and low kicks. The Thai stadiums are for full Muay Thai rules fights. In Muay Thai there is a heavy emphasis on elbow and knee strikes while grappling that is not allowed in kickboxing (for the most part). WKA, which is a sanctioning body, historically sanctioned a lot of bouts in which low kicks were not allowed at all.

Having these rule sets all playable would not only open up the options for the roster of fighters (fighters from Glory and K-1 as well as Muay Thai legends and classic full contact kickboxers) but it would also be very easy to implement in game.

Incorporate a stand up fighting system similar to UFC Undisputed 3 in which you’re able to strike and clinch with total control over your strike variety, and using the right analog stick to advance through the clinch. From there, just change the controls depending on what rule set you fight in. If you clinch Muay Thai style in K-1 expect to be broken up after a short amount of time, if you clinch in WKA rules expect to be broken up immediately. If you low kick, elbow or knee in a rule set which you’re not allowed to you would have a point deducted, but you would also have some benefit in that your opponent would have been damaged giving you the option to fight dirty if you’re confident you can get the knock out.

I personally like this format because you’re not necessarily being limited; you’re being expected to fight by the rules the way a fighter would. Rob Kaman, who was known for his low kicks, fought under no-low-kick rules and followed those rules, so you can do the same, or cheat. The choice is yours.

The presence of these different rules would give you more options for role playing in career mode. Where did your fighter start out? Where they fighting in Thailand under Full Thai rules? In Europe or Japan under kickboxing rules? You could pick your starting rule set and choose to fight or avoid other rule sets the way real fighters do. For example you could start off in Thailand fighting full Thai rules and then go into Japanese kickboxing the way K-1 Legend Buakaw did.

If you choose to fight under rules you’re not familiar with you would have to change your training routine to suit them. Your punching power and hand speed stat may be low and need to be tuned up in order to be more competitive in kickboxing as opposed to Muay Thai for example. The training exercises I would ideally include would be ones not unlike what we see in other video games; heavy bag rounds, pad rounds, cardio and strength and conditioning exercises, not to mention sparring drills. The option to train with real life kickboxing coaches such as Cor Hemmers, Thom Harrinck and Lucien Carbine (or gyms like Sitsongpeenong and 13 Coins) would be equally awesome, each gym could teach you knew techniques suck as flying knees, spinning kicks, new clinch techniques etc.

Finally though this brings me to the roster, who would your opposition be? Who would you be able to play as? Well with my idea of having multiple organisations you would be able to fight against fighters from all across the world of kickboxing. Much like EA’s Fight Night series actual licensed fighters from real life would serve as the tough competition as you advance more through the career mode, before that you would be fighting characters that are made with the create-a-fighter mode.

So, my personal roster? It’s one that would make kickboxing fans cream and non kickboxing fans that are still bearing with me through this article scratch their heads. Well here they are from the heavier fighters to the lower weight fighters (with the overall ratings I’d suggest based on my own subjective opinions that have no real science behind them whatsoever, many will disagree with me):

 

Heavy Fighters

Semmy Schilt 95

Remy Bonjasky 92

Peter Aerts 92

Ernesto Hoost 94

Jerome Le Banner 90

Mirko Cro Cop 88

Bob Sapp 70

Badr Hari 90

Daniel Ghita 86

Alistair Overeem 86

Musashi 82

Kyotaro 82

Akebono 54 (Hey, we could include him as a joke at least)

Ewerton Texeira 85

Tyrone Spong 92

Rico Verhoeven 88

Gohkan Saki 92

Saulo Cavalari 88

Artem Levin 94

Simon Marcus 92

Joe Schilling 89

Alex Pereira 88

Jason Wilnis 88

 

Lower Weight Fighters

Masato 94

Buakaw 94

Andy Souwer 90

Albert Kraus 90

Mike Zambidis 88

John Wayne Parr 90

Giorgio Petrosyan 96

Yoshihiro Sato 88

Artur Kyshenko 89

Yodsanklai Fairtex 96

Gago Drago 85

Andy Ristie 89

Robin Van Roosmalen 89

Davit Kiria 88

Sittichai Sitsongpeenong 90

Saenchai 98

Pakorn 94

Pornsaneh Sitmonchai 88

Nieky Holzken 90

Joe Valtellini 89

Raymond Daniels 86

Karapet Karapetyan 85

Yuta Kubo 90

Masaako Noiri 90

Mosab Amrani 88

Gabriel Varga 89

 

Kickboxing/Muay Thai Legends

Samart Payakaroon 98

Sagat 94

Coban Lookchaomaesaitong 90

Sakmongkol Sitchuchok 90

Orono 90

Rob Kaman 92

Ramon Dekkers 92

Dida Diafat 89

Gilbert Ballantine 90

Benny Urquidez 92

Rick Roufus 90

Jean Yves-Theriault 89

Don Wilson 89

Cor Hemmers Not listed for fear he will find me and kill me if it’s not to his liking.

 

A roster like that would please just about everyone (hopefully) and would be more than enough to fill a game. It’s also a roster that wouldn’t be too expensive to acquire either. There would be more to be included but those would be my personal picks.

I haven’t listed proper weight divisions because weight divisions in kickboxing tend to be a mess, but that would be the call of the developers

Let me know what you think, share it around and hope that maybe one day we can pressure a developer into making it a reality!

I'm a writer based somewhere in the UK, I like fiction, dinosaurs, martial arts, holding hands and long walks on the beach.

Gaming

Will Stellar Blade be available for PC?

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It’s quite possible. Fans all over the world are interested in Shift Up’s highly anticipated action-adventure game, Stellar Blade. With its captivating post-apocalyptic setting reminiscent of Nier and a compelling protagonist named Eve, it’s no wonder the game has generated such widespread attention.

The game consistently impresses with its stunning visuals and high-octane action, leaving players in awe with each new trailer.

Yet, just like other noteworthy second-party and third-party game releases, fans are pondering: Will Stellar Blade be available on PC?

In this article, we delve into the details to determine the platform availability of the highly anticipated title.

Will Stellar Blade be available on PC? Allow me to provide you with the answer.

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Unfortunately, Stellar Blade will not be available on PC, at least not initially. Currently, the game is only available on PlayStation 5 starting on April 26, 2024.

Regrettably, it appears that there is no indication of a potential PC release for Stellar Blade in the future. In most cases, trailers for PlayStation timed-exclusive titles conclude with a disclaimer that specifies the duration of their exclusivity.

In the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launch trailer, it is explicitly stated that the game will only be accessible on other platforms starting on May 29, 2024.

Regrettably, when it comes to the stellar blade, there is no indication of such.

It’s important to note that Sony Entertainment Interactive published Stellar Blade, unlike Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This means that the chances of it being released on PC or other platforms in the near future are even slimmer.

However, it is worth noting that there is a chance the game might be released on PC in the future, given PlayStation’s track record of bringing their exclusive titles to the platform. However, it could be a while before this comes to fruition.

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A Review of Fallout 4

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After nearly ten years since its initial release, Bethesda has brought Fallout 4 to the PS5, offering enhanced technical performance that one would anticipate from a leap to a new generation. Does the open-world RPG still hold up in 2024?

Answering that question is quite challenging, I must say. While opinions may vary, it’s worth noting that Fallout 4 has its fair share of critics. However, one cannot deny the allure of its captivating gameplay loop, which keeps players hooked with its constant exploration, mutant battles, and character progression. The loop in question has undoubtedly stood the test of time, and Fallout 4 continues to captivate players with its addictive character development mechanics. From acquiring loot to distributing perk points, the game offers a truly engaging experience.

Fallout 4’s post-apocalyptic Boston is yet another example of Bethesda’s talent for creating immersive worlds that captivate and divert your attention from your intended path. This map is incredibly dense, providing adventure at every corner. This open world is incredibly immersive, captivating players for hours on end. The various character progression systems add depth and complexity to the experience.

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However, this is where the game begins to show some weaknesses, especially when compared to more contemporary standards. Technical limitations that were already dubious when Fallout 4’s release in 2015 hinder the gameplay experience. It’s quite disappointing to encounter a loading screen every time you enter or exit an interior location, which feels incredibly outdated, even with the significantly improved load times of the PS5 version.

Additionally, comparable restrictions limit the game’s overall scope. Now, it’s clear that one wouldn’t anticipate a radiation-soaked wasteland to be bustling with life, but Boston can’t help but come across as lacking ambition. As you journey through different locations, you’ll notice a noticeable lack of action. Even well-known settlements such as Diamond City and Goodneighbor, which are supposed to be bustling hubs of activity and trade, feel disappointingly empty with a population of only around 30 NPCs.

This illusion may have been somewhat passable back in 2015, but after almost a decade, it’s clear that the game’s outdated engine is to blame for many of its glaring flaws. It’s undeniable that some aspects of Fallout 4’s design haven’t aged well, especially considering how much the open-world genre has evolved in the past decade. While it’s not fair to expect a complete remake in the 2024 re-release, there are certain aspects that could have been improved upon.

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Fallout 4 undeniably possesses an alluring atmosphere, capturing that eerie sense of wonder that has become synonymous with the series. There is a unique experience in scaling the remnants of a decrepit skyscraper and surveying the desolate landscape, immersing oneself in the inherent solitude while the game’s subtly captivating music softly plays in the distance.

When it comes to immersion, let’s delve into Fallout 4’s take on role-playing. Upon its release, numerous dedicated Fallout fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the game’s decision to introduce a fully voiced protagonist, along with the limited dialogue choices that accompanied this change. Truly, the absence of morally ambiguous decisions in this game is quite noticeable, especially when comparing it to titles such as Fallout: New Vegas or even Fallout 3. The side quests often guide you towards two predictable options, where you can either embody a beacon of hope or a deranged maniac, and the latter option never truly feels authentic, given the protagonist’s predetermined, almost heroic role in the story.

Emerging from a two-century cryogenic sleep, the protagonist must navigate the treacherous landscape of post-apocalyptic America to save their kidnapped infant son, who was taken from the very same cryogenic facility. In this particular situation, deviating from the main questline may not contribute to the overall narrative coherence. However, it must be acknowledged that the story presents significant opportunities for making impactful decisions that can greatly influence the game world, especially when aligning oneself with pivotal factions.

Once again, it’s worth noting that there is limited opportunity to delve into your character’s personality and motivations in Fallout 4. As a result, the game can be seen as a regression compared to its predecessors. Furthermore, the side quests tend to be quite forgettable. The main plot of Fallout 3 had its fair share of issues, but it managed to find balance by incorporating some wild and unpredictable misadventures. The sequel, on the other hand, lacks personality, featuring one-dimensional characters and unremarkable dialogue. It heavily relies on self-referential storytelling, which can be immersion-breaking.

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If you’re interested in seeing faction plotlines come to a conclusion, you’ll have to go through a plethora of ‘radiant’ filler quests. These are the types of games that provide little context and simply place a procedurally generated objective marker on your map, instructing you to “go here, do something.” While the prospect of embarking on an adventure and uncovering hidden treasures is certainly enticing, the overall experience feels somewhat lacking in depth and emotion. It’s hard to ignore the excessive filler content that hinders your progress towards important narrative milestones.

However, it is worth mentioning that the gameplay loop of Fallout 4 is incredibly captivating, and combat plays a vital role in this experience. While it may not boast the most polished shooting mechanics compared to other games on the market, it undeniably stands out as the most enjoyable Fallout installment to date. The action in the game is filled with a satisfying and almost comical bloodlust. Whether you’re sniping super mutants with precision or hacking raiders to bits with modified chainsaws, the result is a spectacle of skulls popping and limbs flying.

The standout feature of the game is undoubtedly V.A.T.S., which grants you the power to manipulate time and execute visually stunning attacks on specific body parts. Even after nearly ten years, there is still no other system quite like it. The version of V.A.T.S. in Fallout 4 truly stands out, offering moments of pure chaos and excitement. Experiencing the exhilarating thrill of a deathclaw’s head exploding mere moments before its talons make contact with your face; being rendered speechless as a mini nuke hurtles directly towards you; obliterating grotesquely mutated wildlife with your beloved energy weapon, all captured in flawless slow motion. This is an exceptional experience.

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Regrettably, not everything that Fallout 4 does is met with universal acclaim. Despite being largely overlooked, the game’s settlement system continues to be a topic of heated debate. During your adventure, you’ll stumble upon small communities that you can nurture by collecting various items and utilizing specific materials to construct a wide range of structures. These include essential defenses like walls and gates, as well as intricate computer networks and ingenious mechanical contraptions.

The system itself is undeniably impressive, providing an immense amount of depth for players who truly want to immerse themselves in the experience. If you’re looking for a classic Fallout experience, settlements might come across as unnecessary baggage, adding unnecessary weight to an already content-packed game that can sometimes feel like busywork. It’s quite frustrating how settlements don’t immediately prove their value. The initial phase involves the monotonous task of collecting a vast amount of resources, and that’s just for the basic needs such as shelter, food, and water.

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While certain aspects of Fallout 4 may not have stood the test of time, it’s worth noting that the PS5 port does indeed deliver on its commitment to enhancing the game’s technical performance. The game’s performance mode, running at 60 frames per second, is impressively smooth overall, with only occasional minor hitches lasting for a fraction of a second in crowded areas. The smooth frame rate greatly enhances the gunplay, which can sometimes feel a bit twitchy. Additionally, the dynamic 4K resolution significantly improves the overall visual experience, making everything look better than ever.

From an artistic standpoint, this video game can be visually unappealing. It’s safe to say that the visuals were less than impressive back in 2015, and unfortunately, they haven’t aged well. The human character models leave much to be desired, with their lackluster facial features and lifeless expressions. The lip-syncing and facial animations are particularly disappointing.

In summary

The core gameplay loop of Fallout 4 remains strong, despite the fact that the surrounding adventure is starting to show its age, nearly ten years after its initial release. The addition of a smooth 60-fps performance mode will surely please many returning players. Roaming through post-apocalyptic Boston can still provide some enjoyment, especially with the reliable V.A.T.S. system at your disposal. However, it is undeniable that open-world games have made significant progress since the release of Fallout 4, which some may argue already felt outdated even at its launch in 2015.

Pros:

  • The open-world design is both dense and engaging
  • Engaging progression systems that keep you hooked
  • V.A.T.S. continues to impress
  • The performance on PS5 is impressively smooth
  • Significantly decreased loading times
  • Several poignant narrative moments
  • The soundtrack creates a captivating atmosphere

Cons:

  • Shows signs of significant deterioration in various aspects
  • Unremarkable side quests and forgettable characters
  • Lacking depth in the realm of role-playing
  • An abundance of mundane tasks
  • The character models are visually unappealing

Good 7/10

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Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.46 introduces an exciting addition to the roster of exclusive cars available in the PS5 and PS4 racing game

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Gran Turismo 7 has just received an exciting update to version 1.46 on both PS5 and PS4. This latest update introduces a unique addition to the game: the Škoda Vision Gran Turismo, a car that you won’t come across in any other game. Škoda makes its debut in the franchise with a visionary study of a single-seater, all-electric racing concept car, designed exclusively for the Polyphony Digital racer.

Once you’ve downloaded update 1.46, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive not one but two additional cars: the AFEELA Prototype 2024 and the iconic Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Sport Coupe ’70. Get ready for an exhilarating ride! Watch as they take to the track in the video above.

Additionally, the update introduces a new menu for players to tackle in the GT Café. At Collector Level 38, players have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of Ferrari 12-cylinder engines, gaining knowledge and expanding their collection. In World Circuits, players can look forward to exciting new events such as the Japanese Clubman Cup 550, the American FR Challenge 550, and the Vision Gran Turismo Trophy. For all the avid fans of Photo Mode, there’s an exciting opportunity to explore the captivating city of San Diego in a brand new Scape.

What are your thoughts on the latest update for Gran Turismo 7? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.

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