EA Sports’ latest UFC game is about to launch, so they’ve asked a boxer to come and help promote it. On the surface, that doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, but Joshua is one of two boxing stars available as special guest fighters in UFC 4 — the other being WBC heavy champion Tyson Fury.
Naturally, both are locked behind a paywall, available only as a pre-order special ahead of the game’s Aug. 22 launch. If you’re on the fence, perhaps this latest trailer will get in the mood:
UFC 4 is the latest iteration of the longstanding series, promising a more fluid combat system, as well as a complete overhaul to the career mode.
Here’s the spiel from EA on the new game’s key features:
- In gameplay, fluid clinch-to-strike combinations offer more responsive and authentic stand-up gameplay experiences, while overhauled takedown and ground mechanics deliver more control in those key phases of the fight.
- Fluid clinch control brings RPM into the art of the ‘clinch’, adding a key element of strategy to the striking system. RPM Tech drives a takedown overhaul, with a slew of new takedown animations, driven by player control and fighter attributes.
- A new submission system was built to offer a simplified player experience, with more ways to transition into submission attempts, accelerate a finish, or deploy high-impact slams to escape them.
- Additionally, an overhaul to Career Mode introduces a brand-new way to develop fighter backstories and offers an in-depth evolution process for the duration of the fighter’s career.
- The new fighter evolution feature lets players dictate a fighter’s skillset, as every punch thrown, or every takedown executed builds fighters up in that specific discipline. Relationship Building brings the impact of partnerships and rivalries into UFC 4, learning from both friend and foe to gain experience and learn vital skills.
- Players can pick their path, which allows them to choose the fights, weight class and rivalries they want, ensuring no two careers are alike.
For more on the game, you can watch its initial revel trailer featuring Jorge Masvidal and middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.