Can gorgeous graphics actually change how you play a game? Yes, and EA's new Fight Night: Round 3 for Xbox 360 proves it. The boxing title eschews onscreen distractions like menus and health bars; you gauge a fighter's well-being by examining his physical condition. Fight Night's developers made sure that the blood spews, the sweat flies, and the bruises swell just like the real thing. "We spent two whole days hitting stunt-people in the face to get the right rippling effect on the skin," says Kudo Tsunoda, executive producer. And when a member of the EA hockey team broke his nose, coworkers brought him to the office to capture his image before taking him to the hospital. How convincing are the f/x? Wired put the virtual beat down on Oscar De La Hoya, then asked Carlos Vargas, cutman on the reality show The Contender, to rate the realism. - James Lee
A Real Cutman Rates Virtual De La Hoya
ROUND ONE: Full Health
Oscar De La Hoya is in great shape. EA scanned him at 3 million polygons - you see every pore - and captured his moves and expressions.
VARGAS SAYS: "The body looks just like him. Good fighting style. His arms could be turned in a bit more, but that's just nitpicky."
ROUND TWO: Softened Up
De La Hoya is showing weak spots. EA's mesh morphing simulates swelling in real time.
VARGAS SAYS: "This looks very real. He just got clipped with a left jab or hook. I really want to work on that eye. I'd keep that right up all day long if I was Oscar."
ROUND THREE: Canvas Bait
De La Hoya's body language, cuts, and bruising show the champ is about to get KO'd.
VARGAS SAYS: "His guard's down, his eye's bleeding and shut, his peripheral vision is taken out. I'd apply a Q-tip with some adrenaline. Oscar looks like a whupped puppy - he's had enough."
credit EA
Fight Night: Round 3 for Xbox 360
credit EA
ROUND ONE: Full Health
credit EA
ROUND TWO: Softened Up
credit EA
ROUND THREE: Canvas Bait
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What a Knockout!
