WWE Video Game Royalties: Insider Insights from Stevie Richards

WWE Video Games: A Wrestler's Perspective

The world of professional wrestling video games has long been a source of excitement for fans, but what's it like for the wrestlers themselves? Former WWE superstar Stevie Richards recently shared his experiences and insights into the process of being featured in wrestling video games, shedding light on everything from motion capture to royalty payments.

Breaking Into the Digital Ring

Richards' journey into wrestling video games began with WWE SmackDown 2: Know Your Role, where he appeared as a non-playable character in the game's story mode. However, it wasn't until the next installment, WWE SmackDown! Just Bring It, that he became a fully playable character.

"I was in the game as a character you encountered in storyline mode," Richards explained. "It was like a meme - I'm the one telling you you have potential, and not even I had the potential to be in the game as part of the main roster."

This distinction between being a story mode character and a playable roster member had significant financial implications. Richards noted that he did not receive royalty checks for his story mode appearance, but did start receiving them once he became part of the main playable roster.

The Scanning Process

One of the most intriguing aspects of being included in a video game is the scanning process used to capture a wrestler's likeness. Richards described the evolution of this technology:

"Back then, it was amazing technology. They had what looked like a satellite truck, but it's got that whole thing that looks kind of like a panoramic X-ray but goes all the way around you."

As the technology advanced, the scans became more detailed, capturing facial expressions, body types, and even five o'clock shadows with increasing accuracy.

Motion Capture and Voice Work

Beyond just having his likeness in the games, Richards also participated in motion capture sessions for later installments in the series. He performed entrances for other wrestlers, including iconic characters like The Undertaker and Kane.

"We had a thing where somebody got ran over by a car," Richards recalled. "We had crash pads on a piano dolly and ran somebody over with the crash pads. It was so fun."

While he never got the opportunity to do voice work for the games, Richards expressed interest in the process, noting the extensive work required for commentary recording.

The Business of Video Game Appearances

One of the most revealing aspects of Richards' discussion was the insight into the financial side of appearing in wrestling video games. He explained that royalty payments for video game appearances were often a significant source of income for wrestlers, especially those who weren't top merchandise sellers.

"The video game check was the one that talents like me would say, 'This could be a down payment on my house,'" Richards stated. "You could really turn your financial situation around just off of the video games."

However, he also noted that the royalty structure has changed over time, particularly with the introduction of downloadable content (DLC). According to Richards, wrestlers typically do not receive royalties for DLC appearances, which has made competition for spots on the main roster even fiercer.

Royalty Payments and Negotiations

Richards was candid about the complexities and potential pitfalls of royalty negotiations. He shared an anecdote about a wrestler who complained about their video game payoff:

"There's one wrestler, I don't want to name him, but he complained about his payoff in the video game. He said, 'This is BS' to JR. 'I should get more.' They adjusted it, they gave him more money, and then he wasn't on TV for a couple months."

This story illustrates the delicate balance wrestlers must maintain when it comes to financial negotiations with the company.

The Impact of Changing Technology

As video game technology has advanced, it has had both positive and negative impacts on wrestlers' earnings from game appearances. While improved storage capacity allowed for larger rosters, it also meant that individual wrestlers' shares of royalties often decreased.

Richards also touched on how the WWE Network has affected royalties from other media:

"The WWE Network completely destroyed royalties on DVDs, Blu-rays. All that stuff was a pretty decent money maker."

Stevie Richards' Video Game History

Over the course of his career, Richards appeared in several WWE video games:

1. WWE SmackDown 2: Know Your Role (non-playable character)
2. WWE SmackDown! Just Bring It
3. WWE Raw 2 (Xbox)
4. WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain
5. WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw
6. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2006

When asked about which game paid the best, Richards estimated:

"The SmackDown game where I was Right to Censor Steven Richards paid me the most, and I would say that was probably between 30 to 40,000 as a total check."

However, he cautioned that it's difficult to pinpoint exact figures, as royalty checks often included payments for various forms of media and merchandise.

The Changing Landscape of Wrestling Games

Richards' experiences span a significant period in the evolution of wrestling video games. From the early days of limited rosters on cartridge-based systems to the era of DLC and expanded content, the industry has undergone substantial changes.

These changes have had a direct impact on wrestlers' earnings from video game appearances. As Richards noted, "With each game release and each roster expansion... you could fit more wrestlers on there."

This expansion of rosters has generally led to decreased individual royalties for most wrestlers, though top stars likely maintain separate deals with more favorable terms.

The Value of Being in a Video Game

Despite the potential financial benefits, Richards emphasized that being included in a video game carried its own intrinsic value for wrestlers:

"It's cool to be in a video game, that's about it," he said, acknowledging that for many wrestlers, the prestige of being featured in a game might outweigh concerns about royalty payments.

Lessons for Aspiring Wrestlers

Richards' insights offer valuable lessons for those aspiring to a career in professional wrestling:

1. Understand the business: Knowing how royalties and payments work can help wrestlers make informed decisions about their careers.

2. Be appreciative: Richards' positive attitude towards the video game creators likely contributed to his continued inclusion in games.

3. Be versatile: Richards' willingness to do motion capture work for other characters provided additional opportunities and income.

4. Manage expectations: The reality of royalty payments may not always match expectations, and it's important to budget accordingly.

5. Choose your battles wisely: As Richards' anecdote about the complaining wrestler showed, pushing too hard for more money can have unintended consequences.

The Future of Wrestling Games and Royalties

As the video game industry continues to evolve, with new technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality on the horizon, the landscape of wrestling games is likely to change further. This could present new opportunities - and challenges - for wrestlers when it comes to licensing their likenesses and negotiating fair compensation.

The rise of independent wrestling promotions and their forays into the video game market, such as AEW's "Fight Forever," may also impact how wrestlers approach video game appearances and royalty negotiations in the future.

Conclusion

Stevie Richards' candid discussion provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of wrestling video games from a performer's perspective. From the technical aspects of creating digital wrestlers to the complex business arrangements behind the scenes, his experiences highlight both the opportunities and challenges that come with being featured in these popular games.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, and as wrestling promotions adapt to new media landscapes, the relationship between wrestlers and video games will undoubtedly continue to change. However, for many fans and performers alike, the thrill of seeing favorite wrestlers immortalized in digital form remains a core part of the wrestling video game experience.

Whether you're a longtime fan of wrestling games or a performer aspiring to see yourself in pixels one day, Richards' insights offer valuable perspective on this unique intersection of sports entertainment and interactive media.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN46Bdvsdpk