2K and Visual Concepts have not officially announcedWWE 2K24yet, but chances are it’s in development. Fan expectation is likely high afterWWE 2K22andWWE 2K23, and many will no doubt be curious about what kind of innovations it will bring. If anything, one change it should implement may find its roots in a recent creative decision made by Triple H, announced on the October 13th episode of SmackDown. It should be noted that game development is a long and iterative process, and it’s possible that any decisions regardingWWE 2K24are in the process of being finalized, if not outright so already. If notWWE 2K24, then this decision should impact the game well into its next few entries.
On October 13, Triple H announced that Nick Aldis would be taking over SmackDown as general manager, with Adam Pearce moving over to Monday Night Raw. Pearce represents the first official Raw general manager since 2019, and the first time that the red and blue brands have had on-screen general managers in quite some time. Aldis, for the uninitiated, is best known for his time with TNA/Impact Wrestlingwhere he wrestled under the ring name Magnus. He would also later wrestle in the National Wrestling Alliance, where he’d use his real name.
This hearkens back to theSmackDown Vs. Rawdays in video games, as well as the days when the two brands seriously competed. While having Undisputed champions available on both brands and a lot of superstars appearing on multiple shows is a good thing, the recent WWE draft has felt insignificant with a general lack of specific brand identity. This decision could bring back having actual brands and competition between the two, bringing back some brand-on-brand warfare at PLEs such as Survivor Series. But that should translate to video games as well.
WWE 2K24: Revitalizing Smackdown vs. Raw
Even as great asWWE 2K22andWWE 2K23are, they don’t hold a candle to the nostalgic days ofHere Comes the Pain, Shut Your Mouth, and theSmackDown vs Rawgames. A “WWE 2K24: Smackdown Vs. Raw” approach could be great, with the tone of brand-on-brand warfare seeping into every element of the game. It’s already somewhat evident in MyGM Mode, but withWWE 2K24likely improving MyGM Mode, this could become even more serious. The MyRise Game Modes could take cues from the other games and see players pick a side, SmackDown or Raw, instead of picking a certain storyline. The stories have an uphill battle given iconic moments in past games, but competition between the red and blue brands provides plenty of possible avenues.
At the same time, it would be interesting if instead of focusing on acover star forWWE 2K24, the Showcase Mode focused on iconic matches that pit the brands against each other. Better yet, it could be that Showcase Mode continues to focus on a specific cover star’s career, while the game could introduce a full-fledged SmackDown Vs. Raw Mode that lets players play Team SmackDown vs. Team Raw matches from Survivor Series, as well as other matches that fit the general theme. There’s no going wrong with adding additional game modes, after all.
Either way, many of Triple H’s recent creative decisions have been applauded week in and week out, withWWEhaving stronger and stronger numbers over the past couple of years. IfWWE 2Kwere to follow his creative lead even in spirit, it could be a return to a beloved era for the games, and the very idea of a “WWE 2K24: Smackdown Vs. Raw” is a salivating one.
MORE:WWE 2K23 Locker Codes (October 2023)
