According to a preview of WWE 2K15’s MyCareer Mode by the Bleacher Report, the game will not have the much ballyhooed player facial scanning for the creation suite that is present in the other 2K Games’ release, NBA 2K15. According to the preview, the feature could potentially be added later, in an update. Honestly, I do not really care whether player facial scanning for Create-a-Wrestler is makes it into WWE 2K15. After seeing some of the results of player facial scanning for NBA 2K15, I am relieved it is not in WWE 2K15. Although the player facial scanning for NBA 2K15 is a revolutionary idea, it appears that the concept is not fully worked out.
When I play a wrestling video game, I am not really that interested in acting out some deep seated fantasy of playing as my own digital avatar. I am not living out a fantasy of becoming a pro wrestler. Instead, I would rather play as my favorite wrestlers. That is one reason why I do not care for using only CAWs for the MyCareer Mode. I simply like using the more polished in-game models rather than created ones. Based on the results I have seen of the facial scanning for NBA 2K15, the technology is not yet there for it to work accurately and satisfyingly. With that in mind, it is probably for the best that a flawed feature is not incorporated into WWE 2K15.
Based on the BR preview, the creation suite has some impressive facial sculpting features. However, I cannot be disappointed by the lack of facial scanning. Unless Visual Concepts can really buckle down and make the facial scanning work really well, I would prefer it if the company would avoid using the feature for WWE 2K15 post-launch. I would rather the team focus on improving in-ring gameplay, adding alternate attire, new wrestling moves and smoothing out any potential bugs. Instead of facial scanning, I would prefer further customization options for CAWs. Also, I would like to see some extensive creation options for rings and arenas–much like in Fire Pro Wrestling Returns. In my humble opinion, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is the gold standard for customization in a pro wrestling video game. I am not saying facial scanning should never be used for the WWE video game franchise; but wait until the technology comes further along to make the games more polished.
WWE 2K15 hits the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on October 28. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions hit on November 18. A Windows PC version is also in development.