[PC/STEAM] Fire Pro Wrestling World General Thread

So, I'm going to start the game threads over from the very beginning here, sort of a hard reboot of the original general thread I posted when the C!C forum started in July. This time, I'm splitting them up into two threads -- this is the one for the PC version, which is already out worldwide.

WHAT IS FIRE PRO WRESTLING?

First off, thanks for coming to this random forum for a game you've never heard of. Second, Fire Pro Wrestling is a long-running video game series dating back to the 16-bit era! Starting on the PC Engine (That's Japanese for "TurboGrafx 16") with Fire Pro Wrestling: Combination Tag, Fire Pro is a nearly 30 year old franchise that has featured renamed versions of famous Japanese and American pro wrestlers. From the likes of Antonio Inoki, Jushin Liger, and Tiger Mask; to American stars like Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, and Stone Cold Steve Austin, Fire Pro has been the game of choice for people looking to create dream matches.

And if your favorite wrestler wasn't in the game, the Edit Wrestler mode included in every game since Super Fire Pro Wrestling 3: Final Bout allowed you to make them yourself! Besides giving them attributes that determine how fast they move, how quickly they run out of breath, how hard they hit, and even whether they're dealing with nagging old injuries to body parts, Fire Pro separated itself from practically every other game on the market, past and present, with its "CPU Logic" feature, an AI programming mode that helps players determine exactly how a wrestler should act in the ring. As a result of the CPU Logic AI system, Fire Pro was also well known for its Logic Matches, or simulation/sims, where you let the CPU duke it out itself.

WHAT IS FIRE PRO WRESTLING WORLD?

12 years after the last installment of the series, PC players on Steam got to play a new edition of the game called Fire Pro Wrestling World. Featuring a mix of up-scaled graphics from Returns and brand new parts, Fire Pro World was the first game in the series to feature online sharing of player creations, such as their edit wrestlers, referees, and ring logos. It's also the first game in the series with online play, allowing for up to four players at once in tag matches and battle royales. First made available in July, 2017, the base game is out on Steam right now for $29.99 USD. Since the game uses the Steam Workshop for sharing, you may freely browse for new wrestlers, referees, and ring textures both in-game using the Steam overlay; or from your PC or phone by going onto the Steam website and logging in with your account.

Although Fire Pro World is the first game to omit the series' notorious roster of wrestlers with fake names that sound just different enough to avoid legal action; with the announcement of the Playstation 4 version on January 3, 2018, Fire Pro World is the first game in the series to include the real-life license for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Featuring an initial roster of 39 New Japan stars, referee Red Shoes Unno, and an authentic cerulean mat with brand sponsorships, the New Japan content came out for PC on September 26, 2018, for a price of $19.99 USD - bringing the initial asking price for both the base game and NJPW story mode to about $50, the same price as the PS4 version.

Besides the real life wrestlers, the New Japan Pro Wrestling collaboration introduces a new mode to the game, Fighting Road -- a multi-path single-player story mode where you rise up the ranks of the New Japan roster, joining one of the company's factions, and eventually making your way to Wrestle Kingdom to challenge your rival to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Mixing dialogue scenes, traditional Fire Pro gameplay, and Jikkyou! Powerpro Baseball-style life simulation stat management, Fighting Road is designed to be played multiple times over.

DLC?! WHAT!?

Spike Chunsoft plans on supporting Fire Pro World with DLC for the rest of 2018. The first piece of DLC is the much-awaited Fire Promoter mode, a management mode based on the "Management of the Ring" mode from the Japanese version of Fire Pro Wrestling 2 on the Game Boy Advance. There are also two more story modes planned, one that lets you compete for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship; and another story mode that has yet to be announced. They will be available individually on the PSN Store, or you can purchase all three together for $49.99!

There will also be free moves and game modes added throughout the next several months as part of game patches; and a $2.99 charity DLC featuring Japanese wrestler and MMA fighter Yoshihiro Takayama.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

Because this is a PC game, and because it was made in the Unity Engine, Fire Pro Wrestling World is extremely open to modifications. The chief one available is Carlzilla's Mod Suite, which adds a variety of match pacing and match rule tweaks; as well as the ability to adjust the game's "camera" angle to give it a bit of a different look. It also adds a proper Royal Rumble style battle royal mode with as many wrestlers as you'd like. Every time one wrestler is eliminated, another will come out, until there are 8 wrestlers in the ring simultaneously.

Though they are not allowed on the Steam Workshop -- due to Carlzilla adding a check to the mod suite -- there are custom moves and custom edit parts as well. For the latter, users such as Old School Oni and TheAvenger3 are the most prolific part makers. I'd recommend giving it a look sometime!

SO, WITH ALL THAT OUT OF THE WAY...

First and foremost, this is a thread for the PC version. As such, it's mostly for info, edit sharing, discussion, and etc. pertaining to that version.

Second, I feel like I shouldn't have to say this, but -- please keep any sort of PC vs. PS4 arguments out of this. If you want to do this, please go onto the thread about the NJPW DLC delay if you feel the need to vent. Similarly, be aware that there may be a delay between when the NJPW update comes out, and when game mod functionality is restored. I understand that people have differing viewpoints on what takes priority, game updates or mod suite functionality, but please try and keep the debates over it to a minimum. Thanks!