WWE '13

WWE '13 runs on the engine called, "Predator Technology 2.0", which succeeds the first version from WWE '12.[4] The Predator Technology 1.0 game engine has been updated from the previous WWE games to allow for more fluid animations, with odd collisions and transitions having been fixed and updated, it also allows over 300 new moves. Past problems have been fixed with a better weight detection system, contextual animations and automatic attack homing, to ensure that the character always strikes towards the opponent(s). The contextual animation system has been refined to ensure that it dynamically swaps out moves to make sure that the game is using the appropriate move animations at any given time and state. The weight detection system makes it so that small superstars such as Rey Mysterio are unable to lift larger wrestlers such as the Big Show. Thus, the contextual animations ensure that more appropriate attacks are put in the superstar's normal moveset. The game's new homing system is designed that when doing high flying moves, a player will hit the intended target with better precision. The homing system also tracks tables so that they will be better detected when doing grapples on a ladder in TLC and Ladder matches.[5] This feature allows for environmental moves such as ring breaks, barricade breaks, announce table breaks, and catching (mid-air) finishers to be possible.[6] Another new feature is a different model for the giants in the game. Previously, a single body structure was used for all superstars. THQ has also claimed that the game has the most life like superstars. Another important aspect of the game is the new revamped audio system with remastered sound effects. The crowd reactions and commentary audio has directly been taken from live WWE events. Online servers have been enhanced to allow for players to test out creations before downloading them into the game. The "Special Referee" game mode has been added in since its last iteration on WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007. During online matches, AI will fill in for absent players when not enough players are available.[7]

WWE '13 marked the video game debuts of 10 superstars.

New to the series, and replacing the "Road to Wrestlemania" mode, is the game's "Attitude Era" mode, which acts as a season mode of sorts for the game. Although the Monday Night Wars are present, WCW is minimally present. To ensure that players get the full experience of the Attitude Era, they are given 35 of the Attitude Era's top superstars and over 60 cutscenes detailing aspects of the Era. To fill in the gaps and storylines necessary to understand a feud or match's context, THQ worked with WWE editors to produce 20 video packages. Other major elements, for example WCW, will be given a few nods and mentions through the way of a ratings chart that follows the player through the mode as they progress and shows them changing the ratings. Due to this, during the Monday Night Wars, players will play through only the WWE's side of the Wars when the brand was losing to WCW in ratings and display how the WWE forced its way back up in ratings to become the sole juggernaut in wrestling entertainment.[8] Smaller details, such as entrances, arenas and television graphics from the Attitude Era too have been recreated.[9][10]

In addition to this, playing through the mode and its historical objectives, a non-mandatory feature added to recreate several moments from the Attitude Era, allows the players to unlock over 100 unlockable items.[11] Commentary from the Attitude Era, which featured Jerry Lawler alongside Jim Ross, too will be present, with the Attitude Era Mode being the only mode in the entire game to feature Ross' commentary, though Lawler is present in Exhibition and Universe modes alongside Michael Cole.[12]

Through a season of 65 matches spread out over a 2-year season, the Attitude Era Mode allows players to play through a variety of storylines, in turn, the player will switch superstars as they complete storylines, hence the mode is divided into chapters of varying lengths. Within the chapters, players are given a chance to play through the eight different characters or entities of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, D-Generation X, The Undertaker, Mick Foley, Kane and Bret Hart. These chapters have been given the titles, the Rise of DX, Austin 3:16, the Brothers of Destruction, The Great One, Mankind, and WrestleMania XV. In sync with the game's video packages, the player will not play through every match in the Austin-Rock feud, but will understand why the two fought against each other.[13] The Off Script has a storyline focusing on the epilogue of WCW into the WWF/WWE Smackdown era, near 1999 to the official end to the Monday Night Wars. It features The Godfather, Vader, Chris Jericho (1999 appearance), Edge and Christian (1999 appearance), Lita (2000 appearance), Trish Stratus, Eddie Guerrero and The Acolytes (as The APA).

Returning is the Universe Mode, a seasonal mode designed with assistance from Paul Heyman. The mode allows for more interaction than ever before, with the ability to use created arenas and stadiums on any given show. Each recurring show, divided into major and minor, SmackDown and WWE Superstars respectively, can have its theme, roster, belt and arenas adjusted. However, only "major" shows are allowed to have belts assigned to them. The option to create a pay-per-view has also returned, in addition, players get the option to choose which rosters are able to participate in the PPV and what theme or match type is consistent through the event. Players can also delete shows entirely, as well as add new shows or move shows around on any day of the week. Statistics and rankings are also once again included, the former of which divides ranks into tracking record holders, historical information, the period of time a title was held and the number of times a title was held. Titles are again divided into minor, major, tag-team and divas. Scenarios also play out differently, with the game giving the player options to lead out to a branching storyline based on decisions made within the match. This allows players to choose how to attack during cutscenes, whether or not to attack and gives the option to break up tag-teams and alliances. This allows for over 200 new storylines placed in the mode in unison with all previous existing storylines being carried over from the previous two iterations of the feature. The option to turn injuries on and off is also present along with a host of the other features. When a Universe Mode gets too "clunky", cumbersome or confusing, the option to reset it is present.[14]

In January 2013, THQ filed for bankruptcy and began to dissolve, thus ending their partnership with WWE. 2K Sports also stopped releases on the Wii. As of February 2013, Take-Two Interactive, which owns the 2K Sports brand, bought the rights to all future WWE games, and continues to support WWE today.[25]