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THQ-Games.com recently caught up with creative THQ's creative manager Cory Ledesma, who gave us the low-down on WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008. Read on for the full scoop, wrestling fans:

Goals and new features
Every year, before starting a new title, we look at the direction we're going in. A couple of key goals came out for SmackDown vs. Raw this year. The first goal, which carried over from last year is refining player control. Last year we had the ultimate control moves and we wanted to take this further [this year]. The second big goal is to really bring out the characters, so you are experiencing the life of the Superstar.

Another major goal is to introduce the ECW brand. It has a big presence in WWE so you'll see the infusion of the ECW brand; it's going to be a huge part of the game. The last big goal is stepping up to next-gen graphics. We have between 1,200 and 1,500 moves in the game, so animation improvement was very high on our priority list for the game.

Thanks to the animation overhaul, the Superstars walk a lot more realistically. The game looks a lot more like the action you see on the WWE TV shows. We've also got a free-run option; you can run anywhere, so have free reign.

The Wii version of the game is all about using the Wii's unique controls to perform actions - punches, taunts, lifts and throws - yourself. It's a fast-paced, fun, arcade-style experience and all of the moves are interactive.

Superstar Fighting Styles
We're the first to bring this feature to a wrestling game. The fighting styles are going to change the way the Superstars fight. For example, hardcore fighters are the only wrestlers who can perform weapon grapple moves and moves leaping from chairs. There are eight new fighting styles and you can use two styles for each Superstar in a match:

Powerhouse
These guys are all about brute strength - wrestlers like Triple H, Batista and Bobby Lashley. These fighters can use the Rampage special ability, which enables them to perform free-for-all power moves which cannot be reversed for a limited period.

High Flyer
High flyers, like Rey Mysterio and RVD, put their bodies on the line and perform crazy manoeuvres, flying off the ropes and showcasing their agility.

Technical
This is a general term for a technical wrestler who knows all of the moves, locks and reversals; wrestlers like Chavo Guerrero. Their special ability enables them to reverse any move for a limited period.

Brawler
These are roughneck, striking Superstars, such as Undertaker and Sandman, who rely heavily on their fists, using brute punching power.

Submission Artist
These guys can lock in submission moves and, with their special ability, can actually leach opponents' stamina. One of the best-known submission artists in WWE is Ric Flair.

Showman
A Superstar who's all about arrogance, ego and showing off to the crowd - we're looking at you, Randy Orton. Their special ability allows them to steal their opponents' taunts (which, in turn, steals their momentum). It's a high risk tactic as you're vulnerable to attack but can be very rewarding when you steal an opponent's finishing move.

Dirty
These guys are cheaters, the rule breakers of WWE. They'll happily knock out the referee, use low blows and fight with weapons. Their special ability is the referee shield - they'll grab the referee and use him as a shield as well as a weapon!

Hardcore
ECW has made this fighting style very well known. Hardcore wrestlers use weapons, make opponents bleed and go in for no rules matches. If you cause a hardcore Superstar to bleed, this actually increases their momentum and energy to attack you.

Struggle Submission System
We used a meter-based 'tug-of-war' system previously but this year we wanted to move away from meters. When you lock an opponent in a submission move, you now get to decide how much to wrench on your opponent, which you can control with the analog stick. You have to balance your stamina and power to judge how much wrenching you can perform.

The defending player also has control now - by using the analog control sticks the wrestler can try to power out, so it becomes a game of cat and mouse but there's no mindless button mashing. Expect to see 15 to 20 struggle submission moves, including the Master Lock, Sharpshooter and Figure-Four Leglock.

ECW
The game will feature Extreme Rules matches - the most hardcore, brutal matches we've ever seen. You can customise which weapons you'll see in the matches and can now go to any part of the barrier and interact with fans in the crowd, which really opens up the gameplay outside of the ring. ECW is going to be a big part of season and GM modes.