We should be getting news on EA Sports UFC 4 at some point in the not too distant future since we’re getting closer to two years since UFC 3 launched. In our forums, there’s been a lively discussion about making reach more important in the next game.
There’s a general consensus that more emphasis should be placed on reach, and how impactful it can be when you’re using length and getting full extension on punches. The nuance is of course there as well as folks have talked about who should be able to use their wingspan better and how that should work. In addition, OS members have been talking about shorter fighters having greater power on hooks and uppercuts.
With so much of the UFC video games being about the stand-up game, especially among the more casual fans, this sort of makes sense to emphasize as a way to expand the strategies involved. In the thread, there’s also been talk about the game within the game of closing space. There should be more risk-reward to it than there currently is when you’re going against certain long-armed strikers. Otherwise, what’s the point of even talking about wingspan as a strength?
UFC 3 has seen a bit of a revival lately on Twitch, thanks in large part to LIRIK streaming it quite a bit, and that concept of closing distance being more risky to close has been missing in those fights when I’ve watched them (though they’ve still been fun to watch). You don’t want to make the gameplay “boring” but much of the time matches still end up coming down to rolling into the middle of the ring and swinging wildly. There is some element of focus on dodging and blocking as you get in close, but it doesn’t feel like there’s a ton of cat and mouse going on as you watch two fighters with different wingspans. It’s still more about speed differentials, or avoiding a particular kick or punch.
Regardless, just watching that has gotten me excited about a new sports fighting game coming out sometime soon. Not having Fight Night and UFC games — or MMA and boxing games in general — releasing as often as they used to has been a bummer, so I’m chomping at the bit for some new information.
Anyway, come join the conversation if you’re also eager to chat about the UFC franchise and how you hope it improves moving forward.
