WWE 2K22 is on the way, and its motto promises that it “hits different,” implying that the series’ vacation time may have been precisely what it needed to re-energize it. Fans will undoubtedly be hoping that WWE 2K22 is a considerable improvement following the dismal WWE 2K20, which resulted in the cancellation of WWE 2K21.
But what do we know so far about WWE 2K22? We do know that the game will be released in March 2022, defying the series’ October release norm. We also know that it will have new controls, over 3,400 new animations, revamped visuals, and a reworked engine when it does finally come out.
The game also employs a new facial scanning technology, with players having their likenesses captured and incorporated into the game. Also Wonder Woman game: everything we know we told you
Want to know more? Read on for everything we know about WWE 2K22 so far.
WWE 2K22 RELEASE DATE AND PLATFORMS
WWE 2K22 will be released on March 11, 2022 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
A March publication date deviates from the series’ regular October release pattern, although it falls in the run-up to Wrestlemania (which takes place in April), when WWE popularity is at an all-time high. We hope that with this extra time, WWE 2K22 will be a wonderful wrestling game when it is released.
WWE 2K22 EDITIONS AND PRE-ORDER BONUSES
There are a few different versions of WWE 2K22 to pick from, and we’ve broken down the differences between them as well as what pre-order incentives you can anticipate.
Edition Standard
WWE 2K22’s regular version includes the base game. Players will also receive WWE SuperCard Limited Edition Cards of Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio with physical copies of the game. The Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Pack, which includes a ’96 Rey Mysterio playable character and a Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Ruby MyFACTION card, will be included with next-gen releases of the regular edition (PS5 and Xbox Series X).
Deluxe Edition
The deluxe edition of the game comes with the following digital items:
- Season Pass, which grants access to 5 DLC packs containing new Superstars and Legends, as well as the MyRISE Mega-Boost, and SuperCharger Pack Undertaker Immortal Pack, which contains three more Undertaker personalities and MyFACTION Undertaker EVO cards with MyFACTION Perks and Bonuses.
- The Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Pack, which includes the Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio playable character and the Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Ruby MyFACTION card, will be included in next-gen releases.
- WWE SuperCard Limited Edition Cards of Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio will be included with physical copies of the game.
NWO 4-Life Edition
The nWo 4-Life edition of WWE 2K22 is a digital-only edition and comes with the following items:
- Playable nWo Superstars include “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Syxx, and Eric Bishchoff.
- nWo Bonus Material: Two classic WCW PPV venues, a MyFACTION “Gold” Pack bundled with nWo EVO cards and the nWo Wolfpac Championship Belt Season Pass, with access to 5 DLC packs featuring new Superstars and Legends as well as the MyRISE Mega-Boost, and SuperCharger Pack Undertaker Immortal Pack, with three additional Undertaker personas and MyFACTION Undertaker EVO cards with MyFACTION Perks and Bonuses.
- The Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Pack, which includes the Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio playable character and the Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Ruby MyFACTION card, will be included in next-gen releases.
Cross-gen bundle
The final version is the cross-generation digital package. It contains the digital standard edition as well as “dual-gen entitlement,” which allows you to play on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, as well as the PS4 and PS5. It will also feature the Starrcade ’96 Rey Mysterio Pack, which will be included with next-gen.
Pre-order incentives
There are other pre-order incentives available for WWE 2K22’s normal and cross-gen versions. If you pre-order these versions, you’ll get the Undertaker Immortal Pack, which includes three more Undertaker personalities, MyFACTION EVO cards for Undertaker, and MyFACTION Perks and Bonuses.
The Undertaker Immortal Pack is included in the Deluxe and nWo 4-Life editions of the game.
Pre-ordering the Deluxe and nWo 4-Life versions, on the other hand, grants three days of early access to the game.
WHY WAS WWE 2K21 CANCELED?
Following unfavourable response from fans and critics on WWE 2K20, publisher 2K issued a statement in April 2020 explaining the abrupt cancellation of WWE 2K21, as well as how it aimed to make WWE 2K22 the finest game ever.
“We hear you, and we know you want more from the series, so we’re taking everything we’ve learned and applying it to the upcoming WWE 2K simulation game with a renewed focus on quality and enjoyment,” the publisher added. “As part of that pledge, we are delaying production and will not release a WWE 2K simulation game in 2020.” We want to guarantee that the development team can design a wonderful game that will delight both seasoned WWE 2K veterans and newbies looking to advance through the ranks.
There are great expectations that WWE 2K22 will not only be a return to form for the franchise, but will also vastly improve on past versions, which have been quite underwhelming.
WWE 2K22 TRAILERS
We’ve compiled a list of all WWE 2K22 trailers for your watching enjoyment, as well as some intriguing insights from the development team that demonstrate some of the game’s new technologies in action.
Trailer for the official announcement
A new teaser for WWE 2K22 was published in January 2022, revealing the game’s official release date of March 11, 2022.
Hit List for WWE 2K22
In November 2021, 2K Games released the WWE 2K22 Hit List, a sneak glimpse at the top ten features and innovations in the future game. A reworked gaming engine, updated controls, the reintroduction of MyGM mode, and a new MyFACTION function are among the changes. Check out the video below:
SummerSlam teaser for WWE 2K22
WWE 2K22’s second trailer debuted during WWE SummerSlam, highlighting the game’s improved lighting engine. We also got a look at some of the superstars that have already been announced for the game, like as Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley, and Kane.
WWE 2K22 teaser clip
WWE 2K22’s first teaser debuted at Wrestlemania 37, and it features a photorealistic-looking Rey Mysterio and Cesaro slugging it out. We watch Rey perform his famed “619” finisher, as well as different close-ups of Rey’s new character model.
WWE 2K22 ROSTER
The WWE roster has changed more than in previous years, partly due to Covid-19 resulting in multiple layoffs.
We now have a solid idea of who will be on the WWE 2K22 roster, which will include wrestlers from RAW, Smackdown, NXT, NXT UK, and WCW. This year’s debutants include Dominik Mysterio and Austin Theory, as well as notable NXT wrestlers like Samoa Joe and Kay Lee Ray. We’re also seeing the typical luminaries, like as Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, and The Rock, as well as major superstars like Asuka and AJ Styles, make an appearance. In addition, we’re seeing several late-career stars join the roster, including as Eddie Guerrero and Randy Savage.
The following WWE superstars have been confirmed on the WWE 2K22 roster:
- AJ Styles
- Alexa Bliss
- Angelo Dawkins
- Apollo Crews
- Asuka
- Austin Theory
- Bayley
- Becky Lynch
- Bianca Belair
- Big E
- Bobby Lashley
- Booker T
- Brock Lesner
- Carmella
- Cesaro
- Chad Gable
- Dana Brooke
- Dolph Ziggler
- Dominik Mysterio
- Drew McIntyre
- Eddie Guerrero
- Edge
- Eric Bischoff
- Erik
- Finn Bálor
- Goldberg
- Hollywood Hogan (NWO edition)
- Hulk Hogan
- Ivar
- Jeff Hardy
- Joaquin Wilde
- John Cena
- Kane
- Kay Lee Ray
- Kevin Nash (plus NWO version)
- Kevin Owens
- Kofi Kingston
- Montez Ford
- Mustafa Ali
- MVP
- Naomi
- Randy Orton
- Randy Savage
- Raquel Gonzalez
- Rey Mysterio (this year’s cover star)
- Rey Mysterio ’96 (Starcade)
- Ric Flair
- Rhea Ripley
- Ricochet
- Riddle
- Robert Roode
- Roman Reigns
- Samoa Joe
- Sasha Banks
- Scott Hall
- Scott Hall (NWO)
- Seth Rollins
- Shawn Michaels
- Shayna Baszler
- Sheamus
- Shelton Benjamin
- Shinsuke Nakamura
- Shotzi
- Sonya Deville
- Steve Austin
- Syxx
- Syxx (NWO)
- Tamina
- The Miz
- The Rock
- Triple H
- Tyler Bate
- Ultimate Warrior
- Undertaker (pre-order versions available)
- Xavier Woods
WWE 2K22 NEWS AND RUMORS
Mode MyFaction
According to a press release, WWE 2K22 will have MyFaction mode, which will allow users to assemble and manage their “ideal faction with monthly events and frequent upgrades, delivering enormous challenges and replay value.”
MyFaction will offer various packs including digital cards for users to utilise in-game (similar to FIFA Ultimate Team), therefore microtransactions are likely.
Managers in MyGM Mode
We already knew that General Manager mode (or MyGM Mode as it’s now known) would return in WWE 2K22, but in an interview with Brian Mazique, WWE 2K22 Creative Director Lynell Jinks and Art Director Christina Diem Pham revealed more details about what the mode will entail – and which managers you’ll be able to play as.
In MyGM, gamers will take on the role of a WWE General Manager and make decisions that will help the brand grow. Drafting a roster to build rivalries and championship showdowns is one of those options.
Adam Pearce, Sonya Deville, Shane McMahon, and Stephanie McMahon are the managers who are available to play.
While Universe mode is more fun, allowing you to arrange shows with anybody you want, MyGM mode is a bit more difficult, with managers working under Triple H and trying to establish their brand (and ratings) despite potential budgetary and roster limitations.
Rey Mysterio is the cover star
2K Games has affirmed Rey Mysterio is WWE 2K22’s cover star, in festival of his twentieth commemoration as a WWE whiz.
“Addressing the way of life of lucha libre as the cover Superstar for WWE 2K22 is a snapshot of incredible pride for me,” Rey Mysterio said in an official statement. “I’m anticipating sharing the accounts behind the defining moments of my vocation with a devoted local area of players and associating with WWE fans in a totally different manner as they play through my 2K Showcase.”
New elements and game modes
WWE 2K22 distributer, 2K Games, has distributed a blog entry covering a portion of the new elements and game modes players can anticipate when the game deliveries in March. A portion of the guaranteed elements and enhancements are things you’d anticipate, covering the new motor just as further developed designs and controls. Be that as it may, a portion of the recently affirmed modes merit your consideration.
For example, there’s a new “Exhibit” mode in which “players can go for a stroll through a world of fond memories and remember an incredible WWE Superstar’s most notable matches and minutes”. There’s additionally a much-called-for General Management mode named “MyGM” in which players can “draft geniuses, book matches, oversee contracts, and demonstrate they have the stuff to run the best brand in sports amusement”.
MyFaction is a mode that is like General Management however requests that players develop a “unbelievable group that equals the notorious nWo”. At long last, MyRise is a genuinely recognizable vocation mode, wherein players will encounter the excursion of a WWE Superstar, beginning as a freshman and moving gradually up the positions to turning into a Legend.
WWE 2K22 is “looking fabulous”
WWE 2K22 is supposedly “looking phenomenal”, as per Forbes’ Brian Mazique. Mazique additionally said the game’s control are “much more clean” and that WWE 2K22 “feels like a wrestling fan’s wrestling match-up.”
While it’s difficult to remove a lot from Mazique’s remarks, it’s reassuring to hear that the game sounds like it’s looking great.
More WWE flights could influence last program
WWE has delivered various high-profile geniuses as of late, which could shape the game’s last list. Any semblance of Braun Strowman, Aleister Black and Lana have all been given up this year, and as of late WWE reported that Bray Wyatt and Ric Flair have likewise been delivered.
Daniel Bryan isn’t there?
According to speculations, Daniel Bryan may not be in WWE 2K22. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer said in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE had asked Bryan not be on the WWE 2K22 roster, according to ScreenRant. This comes amid reports that Bryan is considering joining AEW. Because these are merely rumours for the time being, and neither WWE nor 2K have confirmed them, they should be treated with a grain of salt.
New entry animations have been released.
2K Games has released another behind-the-scenes video of WWE 2K22’s entrance animations. According to a post from the WWE 2K22 creators’ Twitter account, the game will have over 4,800 new or improved animations.
Several WWE superstars were released.
WWE announced the release of a number of renowned superstars from its roster, but how will this affect the game? Braun Strowman, Lana, and Ruby Riott are among those who have been fired.
WWE 2K22 elements great many new livelinesss and mo-cap studio
WWE 2K22 will highlight north of 4,800 new movements during the current year’s entrance, which is north of 1,000 more than expected. Patrick Gilmore, one of the game dev’s, said that the group was proceeding to add more as the game is created.
We additionally got to see the game’s new mo-cop studio in real life, and Gilmore uncovered that it’s twice greater, and that implies the group can consistently catch moves, doors and elaborate cutscenes that occur all through the ring.
WWE 2K22 has new face-examining innovation
WWE 2K22 will utilize an all-new face-examining rig that is furnished with 80 high-goal cameras that permit Visual Concepts to make high-accuracy 3D shapes of the hotshots. The clasp underneath shows WWE stars Booker T and Ric Flair enter the contraption – which resembles Darth Vader’s own chambers – and pull different countenances as they get checked by the cameras.