First off, let me just say that everyone on our team truly loves MMA. We’re all fans of the sport, just like you. We get together and watch the fights all the time, and some of us actually train! The bottom line is that we’re gamers, we love MMA, and we truly want to make the absolute best MMA game possible.

With that said, I think you will be pleased with the amount of changes and additions we’ve made to this year’s game. The game plays so much faster than last year, is much more fluid and responsive, and the gameplay adjustments we’ve made (such as the Sway System and Cage Interaction) add a whole new level of strategy. The game is just fun to play! Even if you haven’t played last year’s game, it’s easy to pick up and start punching and kicking each other, but things can get really deep if you spend the time and invest in it. You should see the five-round wars we have in the office — it gets intense!

Here’s a sample of some of the new gameplay features we’ve added:

• Southpaw and Stance Switching
• Sway System
• Cage Interaction
• Submission Switching
• Unified Grappling Controls
• Ground Posture System
• A-La-Carte Move Acquisition System
• Doctor Stoppages

As far as modes, not only did we revamp all of the returning modes, but we’ve added a whole bunch of new ones, many of which our fans requested. Career Mode, I’d say, probably received the biggest overhaul. We’ve added the ability to change weight divisions, a stat decay and management system, pre- and post-fight interviews, more cutscenes like weigh-ins and press workouts, and the a-la-carte move acquisition system that allows players to make truly unique fighters one move at a time. In addition, we’ve also added a move proficiency system that allows for specialization in certain individual techniques (for example, you can be the dude with the super tight guillotine or be very good at a particular sweep or transition), introduced the World Fighting Alliance, a pre-UFC starting promotion where you’ll start your MMA career, as well as the new Game Is Watching You (GIWY) commentary and AI system, which monitors your performances and tailors the AI and commentary accordingly based on your progression through your career. There’s so much new stuff in Career Mode, but I’ll resist telling you everything because I don’t want to spoil some of the surprises you’ll encounter.

In addition to the returning Career, Create-a-Fighter and Online Modes, here’s a breakdown of some of the new modes in UFC Undisputed 2010:

• Title Mode
• Title Defense Mode
• Tournament Mode
• Event Mode
• Ultimate Fights Mode

For PlayStation 3 owners, there’s a ton of exclusive content available just for you. In the Ultimate Fights Mode, we’ve added five additional fights, each with its own challenges and unlocks that you won’t be able to get anywhere else:

• UFN 18 – Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann
• UFC 60 – Matt Hughes vs. Royce Gracie
• UFC 66 – Keith Jardine vs. Forrest Griffin
• UFC 68 – Martin Kampmann vs. Drew McFredries
• UFC 102 – Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia

Also exclusive on PlayStation 3 are the following legendary UFC fighters:

• Royce Gracie
• Jens Pulver
• Dan Severn

Finally, thanks to Blu-Ray, we were able to add some full-length fight videos for you hardcore fans out there:

• The Ultimate Fighter Finale – Stephan Bonnar vs. Forrest Griffin
• UFC 94 – Georges St-Pierre vs. BJ Penn
• UFC 98 – Lyoto Machida vs. Rashad Evans
• UFC 79 – Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva
• UFC 100 – Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir

We’re really excited about all the new stuff in this year’s game, and we want to hear your thoughts on it! Head over to UFCUndisputed.com and give us your feedback, as I assure you it will not go unnoticed! See you online in the virtual Octagon!

Qore subscribers were invited to the PS3 game Beta last year, and starting on April 22, you’ll also get a chance to play the upcoming PSP demo version. Visit the Download Center in the April episode of Qore after this week’s PlayStation Store Update for early access to the ModNation Racers PSP demo, which lets you test drive two full tracks from the game and give the track creator a spin.

And, look for more exclusive downloads in next month’s May episode of Qore, featuring Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands, UFC Undisputed 2010 with Jens Pulver, and an insider’s look at upcoming additions to PlayStation Home.

Look for Episode 24 to hit the PlayStation Store on May 11.