In professional wrestling, retirements are a natural part of the journey, with many legendary wrestlers choosing to step away from the ring for various reasons. WWE 2K, the popular video game series, faces the challenge of accurately representing these retirements within its roster. The handling of retired wrestlers in the WWE 2K games has evolved over the years, ensuring that both retired legends and current superstars are given appropriate attention. Let’s take a look into how WWE 2K manages the inclusion of retired wrestlers in its roster, providing fans with a seamless gaming experience.
1. Inclusion of Retired Wrestlers in WWE 2K Games
When a wrestler officially retires, WWE 2K developers face the dilemma of deciding whether to remove them from the game or continue to feature them as part of the roster. Historically, WWE 2K has chosen to honor retired wrestlers by including them in the game, ensuring that their legacy remains intact for both casual and hardcore fans.
Retired wrestlers are often treated as legends within the game, still part of the roster but typically categorized differently from current active competitors. For example, superstars who have retired due to injury or age are usually placed in a “Legends” category within the game, ensuring that fans can still use them in exhibition matches, career modes, or multiplayer options.
In WWE 2K22 and beyond, the game introduced more dynamic roster updates, allowing retired wrestlers to be included as downloadable content (DLC). This provides a more flexible way to represent wrestlers whose retirements occurred after the game’s initial release.
2. The Role of Legends in WWE 2K
Legends play a crucial role in the WWE 2K franchise. These iconic wrestlers are not just historical figures but vital parts of the game’s marketing, storylines, and gameplay features. Retired wrestlers like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Shawn Michaels are treated with respect, their appearances and movesets meticulously recreated to preserve their impact on the wrestling world.
Each year, WWE 2K’s roster expands with the inclusion of more legends. Wrestlers who have retired, especially those who were once main eventers or Hall of Famers, often appear in special modes, such as the WWE Towers or MyFaction in the latest versions of the game. Their moves, taunts, and even signature entrances are recreated, making it possible for players to relive some of their most memorable moments in the squared circle.
WWE 2K CM Punk (Image via 2K Sports)3. Updating Retired Wrestlers’ Movesets
One of the challenges of integrating retired wrestlers into WWE 2K games is updating their movesets and general game presence. While many retired wrestlers no longer perform in the ring, their signature moves and finishing maneuvers remain iconic.
WWE 2K developers often update the movesets of retired wrestlers, ensuring that their in-game performance mirrors their prime. For instance, a legend like The Undertaker, known for his Tombstone Piledriver and Chokeslam, will continue to use these moves even if he has retired from active competition. The game’s developers will analyze real-life footage, work closely with retired wrestlers, and sometimes even implement new animations to ensure that these moves feel authentic to players.
Some retired wrestlers, such as Triple H, may also have a hybrid moveset, including a mix of moves from their wrestling past and more recent, in-game representations. This ensures that while their physical appearances may have changed, their legacy and wrestling style remain consistent in the game.
4. Retired Wrestlers in Career Mode and Showcase
WWE 2K’s Career Mode and Showcase Mode offer a unique way for players to experience the legacies of retired wrestlers. In Showcase, players are taken through the iconic moments of certain legends’ careers, allowing them to relive key matches and rivalries.
When a retired wrestler is featured in these modes, WWE 2K often goes beyond just including them in the roster. Instead, it builds a detailed narrative around their most significant matches and contributions to the wrestling industry. For example, in WWE 2K19, the Showcase mode focused on Daniel Bryan’s rise and ultimate retirement, bringing players through the highs and lows of his career, even as they played through matches he had been a part of.
This approach honors the careers of retired wrestlers while still maintaining a connection to the ongoing wrestling storylines, ensuring that both current and former WWE Superstars coexist within the same universe.
WWE 2K Goldberg (Image via 2K Sports)5. How Retirements Affect DLC and Post-Launch Updates
The inclusion of DLC in WWE 2K games is another crucial element that handles wrestler retirements. As new superstars retire throughout the year, WWE 2K often releases post-launch updates and DLC packs that include these legends. This gives players an opportunity to download retired superstars, preserving their legacy in the game for years to come.
Additionally, fans who purchase special edition versions of the game may receive exclusive access to retired wrestler DLC content. This has become a way for WWE 2K to keep players engaged long after the game’s initial release, allowing them to experience retired wrestlers in fresh ways.