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'Lucha Libre' Puts Latin American Gaming on the Map

by Leila Brillson on June 17, 2010 at 02:35 PM

Lucha Libre
"Luchadores is not just an expression of Mexican culture," Julian Castillo, creative director of Immersion Studios says. "It's an actual culture itself, based in Mexico." One of the founders of Immersion, the developer in charge of releasing August's 'Lucha Libra AAA: Heroes Del Ring,' Castillo wanted the game to have an authentic Latin American flavor. Teaming up with Mexico/Brazilian studio Sabarasa, the two company's set out to create the very first Pan-Latin American video game (distributed by Slang/Konami). A unique venture, since most video game design occurs above the equator, in places like America, France and Japan.

When asked if he had any trouble as a regional trailblazer, Castillo laughed. "What do you think? There is no industry for us like there is in LA, no universities to teach us how to design games. We had to build it all from scratch. It was a real effort to achieve." The game, based on a real league in Mexico called AAA ("Triplé A," colloquially), is modeled after real luchadores fighters. "The thing about the wrestling is that its not about combat, but about the relationship between the fighters and between the fighters and the public," Castillo explains. "We really wanted to convey that."

'Lucha Libre: AAA Heroes of the Ring'



For anyone that has ever played 'Smackdown' or 'Raw,' Libre will be familiar territory, with slight tweaks. Much of lucha fighting has to do with grandiose moves and climbing and jumping, using the ropes. "Luchadores is one part circus, one part acrobatics, and one part fiction. People want a show, to see athletic feats and to have a level of fiction," Castillo describes. Unlike most other wrestling games, in order to advance, the player has to please the crowd through different moves -- much like in the real Mexican league. As the game progresses, more moves are unlocked, and its easier to become a star. While 30 real fighters are available, players can design their own character and masks. And, when entering online mode, contenders wager their hair or mask, because, to a luchador, nothing is more humiliating than losing a signature look.

The game is sure to be a hit in Mexico, where there is an established audience rooting for either the Tecnico (good guy) or a Rudo (bad guy). "Of course, it's hard for Mexicans to be objective," Castillo said about the sports' nationalistic leaning. " But we wanted to give fans what they'd want to see in the game. But also make it friendly to the public. It's you guys that will be the hard sell." True, Americans always do have a hard sell when it involves funny words, so it may help to brush up on Spanish 101. But it's always fascinating to see a region not traditionally associated with video games sending something to consoles -- especially when the game is a topic so dear to the heart.

For: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, Playstation Portable

Tags: e3, e3 2010, E32010, Immersion, immersion games, ImmersionGames, julian castillo, JulianCastillo, konami, lucha, lucha libre, lucha-libre, luchador, luchadores, LuchaLibre, slang, top, wrestling

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