WWE 2K23 Developers Discuss Changes To Universe Mode, Giving Players More Control Over Cut-Scenes

Significant changes are coming to Universe Mode in WWE 2K23.

Universe Mode has been in WWE games for over a decade, acting as a sandbox to allow wrestling fans to book shows in the best way they see fit. Over the years, the mode has seen a handful of changes that would increasingly allow players to take control further and truly make their game their version of what the WWE Universe should be.

This year, a new change is coming to the popular game mode, which will allow players to fully control cutscenes and even book cutscenes before matches to ensure more concise storytelling.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, WWE 2K23’s Creative Director Lynell Jinks and Associate Gameplay Producer Bryan Williams updated fans on how cutscenes will work in Universe Mode in the upcoming game. 

“With Universe, there’s some huge improvements that we made there to help tell the story and give users even more control than they’ve already had, which is crazy to think about,” said Jinks. “You can have actions that you want certain superstars to perform before a match, like, ‘Okay, I want Bobby Lashley to shake hands with MVP before the match, but at the last second, I want him to just punch him.’ Like, those are actions that you can actually assign to that match and watch those cutscenes play out and see how that kind of dictates your rivalry.

Williams followed up by saying players will have an amount of control in Universe Mode this year, even beyond what they expect.

“Lynell mentioned it earlier when he was talking about Universe, but I was playing with it, I was playing the game over the past weekend, and I even reached out to our Universe designer. Him and those guys have done a tremendous job on Universe this year. The ability – because cutscenes have always been prevalent in the Universe and telling those stories within that mode,” said Williams. “This year, having the ability to be that ultimate puppet master where, like Lynell described, being able to scroll through a list of available actions that you want your Superstar to do, whether it’s to be respectful at the start of the match or disrespectful at the end.

“The level of control that the players will have in Universe this year is something that I don’t think they are expecting,” he adds. “I mean, Universe already is about control and being able to manipulate everything, but this new layer of being able to actually now set and direct certain actions and events to happen. I think for me, it’s a game changer for the mode, and I’m excited for the fans of this mode to get their hands on it because I think that one of those content creators who like to stream the game, they are going to have a field day with this, I think. The fact that it all works as beautifully as it does, I think that is something that is really going to surprise a lot of people, and I’m really excited about that.”

This year’s big addition is the inclusion of a WarGames Match for the first time in video game history. Fans can see a list of features in WWE 2K23 at this link.

The video game will be available to the general public on Friday, March 17. Those who pre-order the Deluxe or Icon Editions will be able to play the game on Tuesday, March 14.

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