Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis
{{Short description|2006 table tennis simulation video game}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis
| image = Rockstar Table Tennis Game Cover.jpg
| alt = The game's cover art. The words "TABLE TENNIS" (with the smaller "ROCKSTAR GAMES PRESENTS" above) are printed onto a table tennis ball.
| developer = Rockstar San Diego{{efn|Wii port developed by Rockstar Leeds}}
| publisher = Rockstar Games
| director = Daren Bader
| producer = Darion Lowenstein
| designer = Benjamin Johnson
| programmer = Wil Paredes
| artist = {{Unbulleted list|Jody Pileski|Ted Bradshaw}}
| engine = RAGE
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|Xbox 360|Wii}}
| released = Xbox 360{{Video game release|NA|May 23, 2006|PAL|May 26, 2006}}Wii{{Video game release|NA|October 16, 2007|PAL|October 19, 2007}}
| genre = Sports
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis is a 2006 table tennis simulation video game developed by Rockstar San Diego and published by Rockstar Games. The game is a realistic simulation of the sport table tennis, with the main objective to make the opponent fail to hit the ball.
The game features various methods of serving and returning the ball, designed for players to beat their opponent. Players can compete against the game's artificial intelligence, while the game's multiplayer mode lets two players compete in matches, either through local multiplayer or online. Initially developed specifically for the Xbox 360 console, the development team took advantage of the hardware's graphical power, allowing the game to play at a faster pace than with previous hardware. The game was the first to be developed using Rockstar's proprietary Rockstar Advanced Game Engine. The game was released for the Xbox 360 in May 2006 and for the Wii in October 2007.
Its announcement in March 2006 led to confusion and surprise, due to its significantly different style from Rockstar's previous projects. It received generally positive reviews upon release, with praise particularly directed at its simplicity, replayability and detailed visuals.
Gameplay
Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis is a realistic simulation of the sport of table tennis. In the game, two players hit a ball back and forth from one another. The goal of the game is to make the opponent fail to return the ball.{{harvnb|Rockstar San Diego|2006|pp=6}} Players have the ability to challenge a multiplayer partner, either offline or online, or can select to challenge the game's artificial intelligence.{{harvnb|Rockstar San Diego|2006|pp=19}} Players can select from a roster of eleven characters, which are unlocked as they progress through the game; each character has particular skills in different areas.{{harvnb|Rockstar San Diego|2006|pp=12–17}}
Image:Rockstar Table Tennis gameplay.jpg
The game features two modes: Tournament, which involves players participating against a variety of players in different circuits; and Exhibition, which involves players challenging individual opponents in non-ranked matches.{{harvnb|Rockstar San Diego|2006|pp=18}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-06-table-tennis-hands-on/1100-6149859/ |title=E3 06: Table Tennis Hands-On |last1=Gerstmann |first1=Jeff |author-link1=Jeff Gerstmann |last2=Kasavin |first2=Greg |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=May 10, 2006 |access-date=June 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103245/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-06-table-tennis-hands-on/1100-6149859/ |archive-date=December 31, 2017 |url-status=live}} When preparing to serve the ball, players enter a stance. During this stance, players aim the ball, followed by selecting the amount of spin and power to place on the ball, as indicated by the spin meter.{{harvnb|Rockstar San Diego|2006|pp=7}}
Players can also place a level of spin on their ball, curving it in a different direction. After the opponent returns the ball, players have the ability to "charge" their shots. As the shots are charged, the Focus meter increases; when the meter fills, players enter the Full Focus state, in which their shots are faster and more accurate.{{harvnb|Rockstar San Diego|2006|pp=8}} Players can also perform soft shots and smashes, respectively decreasing and increasing the speed of the ball,{{harvnb|Rockstar San Diego|2006|pp=9}} and Focus Shots, high-powered returns that help players counter difficult shots.{{harvnb|Rockstar San Diego|2006|pp=10}}
The Wii port of the game offers three different control schemes: Standard, using the Wii Remote; Sharp Shooter, in which the player flicks the Nunchuk's analog stick instead of the Wii Remote to aim and hit the ball; and Control Freak, using the Nunchuk's analog stick to control the player's position.
{{Clear}}
Development
Image:Microsoft-Xbox-360-Pro-Flat-wController-L.png. The development team took advantage of the hardware's graphical power, and found that it allowed them to develop games at a faster pace than with previous hardware.]]
Preliminary work on Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis began in 2005, prior to the announcement of the Xbox 360, which the game was developed for.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/03/and-now-for-something-completely-different |title=And Now for Something Completely Different... |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=March 3, 2006 |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912182803/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/03/and-now-for-something-completely-different |archive-date=September 12, 2014 |url-status=live}} Rockstar San Diego, the core team behind the game, found that the hardware allowed them to develop games at a faster pace than with the previous hardware. Rockstar president Sam Houser felt that Rockstar San Diego was a suitable developer for the game due to their demonstration of skill in developing advanced engines, particularly early in a console generation, citing Midnight Club: Street Racing and Smuggler's Run (both 2000), which were launch games for the PlayStation 2. Houser also said that, though the game's physics were achievable on the old hardware, the team waited for the possibility to develop for the Xbox 360 due to the "different level of production and technology" that it allowed. In developing the game's concept, the team was fascinated with concentrating the entire power of a particular hardware into one activity. The game runs off the proprietary Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE), and is the first game to do so.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-presents-wii-table-tennis/1100-6175253/ |title=Rockstar presents Wii Table Tennis (Preview) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=July 18, 2007 |access-date=September 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109235007/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-presents-wii-table-tennis/1100-6175253/ |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |url-status=live}}
Network programmer John Gierach found the development of the online multiplayer mode challenging, due to the level of realism the development team attempted to create. In addition, the speed and accuracy required for the game was also a challenge for the team, due to the fast pace of the matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/18/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-interview |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis Interview |last=Miller |first=Jonathan |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 17, 2006 |access-date=September 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912121046/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/18/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-interview |archive-date=September 12, 2014 |url-status=live}} When discussing the possibility of porting the game to the Wii, the team agreed almost immediately, as they felt that the console was a "perfect fit" for the game. While developing the Wii version, the team particularly considered how to serve all types of players, thus allowing a range of different control schemes.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5gndSVSPCU |title=ROCKSTAR TABLE TENNIS FOR NINTENDO WII CONTROLS INTERVIEW [GameTrailers] |author=MastaTuning |website=YouTube |date=April 14, 2008 |access-date=January 26, 2020}}
The game was first announced by Rockstar Games on March 3, 2006. Journalists noted the surprised reactions that the announcement caused within the gaming industry, which they owed to the game's significant difference when compared to Rockstar's reputation of developing mature titles. Following its E3 previews, the game won Best Sports Game from GameSpot{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2006-editors-choice-awards/1100-6151435/ |title=E3 2006 Editors' Choice Awards |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=May 20, 2006 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507014036/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2006-editors-choice-awards/1100-6151435/ |archive-date=May 7, 2015 |url-status=live}} and received a nomination from IGN.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/19/igns-overall-best-of-e3-2006-awards |title=IGN's Overall Best of E3 2006 Awards |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 19, 2006 |access-date=January 26, 2020}} It was released for the Xbox 360 in North America on May 23, 2006, and in the PAL region on May 26.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/23/rockstars-table-tennis-ricochets-to-retail |title=Rockstar's Table Tennis Ricochets to Retail |last=Adams |first=David |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 23, 2006 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527150901/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/23/rockstars-table-tennis-ricochets-to-retail |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |url-status=live}} On July 18, 2007, Rockstar announced that the game would be ported to the Wii, taking advantage of the motion sensing Wii Remote. The Wii version was released in North America on October 16 and in the PAL region on October 19.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/18/rockstar-serves-up-table-tennis-on-wii |title=Rockstar Serves up Table Tennis on Wii |last=Burman |first=Rob |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=July 18, 2007 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527143621/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/18/rockstar-serves-up-table-tennis-on-wii |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |url-status=live}} American table tennis player Wally Green, who performed motion capture for the game, helped promote its release in 2006;{{cite web |url=http://www.japanculture-nyc.com/new-york-rapper-finds-success-in-asia-with-ping-pong/ |title=New York Rapper Finds Success in Asia with Ping-Pong |work=JapanCulture•NYC |date=August 14, 2011 |accessdate=February 28, 2023 |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228102342/http://www.japanculture-nyc.com/new-york-rapper-finds-success-in-asia-with-ping-pong/ |url-status=dead }} Rockstar later sponsored Green on his professional tour.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/sports/ping-pong-wally-green.html |title='The Sport of Love' Ping-Pong, the Great Equalizer |last=Beech |first=Hannah |work=The New York Times |date=April 6, 2022 |accessdate=February 28, 2023 }}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| WII = true
| X360 = true
| Edge_X360 = 7/10{{cite magazine |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (X360) |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |issue=164 |date=July 2006 |page=83}}
| EGM_X360 = 7.67/10{{cite magazine |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (X360) |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=205 |date=July 2006 |page=89}}
| EuroG_WII = 8/10{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review |title=Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis (Wii) |last=Gibson |first=Ellie |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |date=October 24, 2007 |access-date=May 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924152544/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}
| EuroG_X360 = 9/10{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_tabletennis_x360 |title=Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis (Xbox 360) |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |date=May 23, 2006 |access-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418223901/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_tabletennis_x360 |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |url-status=live}}
| GI_WII = 6/10{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E53527CD-BD77-45C1-8302-E3671D738174.htm |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Wii) |last=Helgeson |first=Matt |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=176 |date=December 2007 |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125122703/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/E53527CD-BD77-45C1-8302-E3671D738174.htm |archive-date=January 25, 2008 |url-status=dead}}
| GI_X360 = 8/10{{cite magazine |url=http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/9ACE0972-0D0C-4D3F-AF7A-9D774BC1B285.htm |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (X360) |last=Helgeson |first=Matt |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=159 |date=July 2006 |page=107 |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080126111104/http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/9ACE0972-0D0C-4D3F-AF7A-9D774BC1B285.htm |archive-date=January 26, 2008 |url-status=dead}}
| GSpot_WII = 6/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review/1900-6181304/ |title=Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis Review |last=Davis |first=Ryan |author-link=Ryan Davis (journalist) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=October 18, 2007 |access-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821023715/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review/1900-6181304/ |archive-date=August 21, 2015 |url-status=live}}
| GSpot_X360 = 8.5/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review/1900-6151794/ |title=Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis Review |last=Davis |first=Ryan |author-link=Ryan Davis (journalist) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=May 24, 2006 |access-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108082047/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review/1900-6151794/ |archive-date=January 8, 2016 |url-status=live}}
| GT_WII = 6.7/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/e645al/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Wii) |website=GameTrailers |publisher=Defy Media |date=November 1, 2007 |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804182010/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/e645al/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review |archive-date=August 4, 2014 |url-status=dead}}
| GT_X360 = 7.8/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=2537 |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis Review (X360) |website=GameTrailers |publisher=Viacom |date=May 27, 2006 |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017021904/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=2537 |archive-date=October 17, 2006 |url-status=dead}}
| IGN_WII = 7.8/10{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/15/rockstar-presents-table-tennis-review |title=Rockstar Presents Table Tennis Review |last=Bozon |first=Mark |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=October 15, 2007 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423110105/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/15/rockstar-presents-table-tennis-review |archive-date=April 23, 2015 |url-status=live}}
| IGN_X360 = 7.8/10{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/23/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 22, 2006 |access-date=January 26, 2020}}
| ONM_WII = 80%{{cite magazine |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/2113/reviews/rockstar-table-tennis-review/ |title=Rockstar [Games Presents] Table Tennis Review |last=East |first=Tom |magazine=Official Nintendo Magazine |publisher=Future plc |date=December 25, 2007 |page=82 |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007234915/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/2113/reviews/rockstar-table-tennis-review/ |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=dead}}
| OXM_X360 = 8/10{{cite magazine |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Future US |date=July 2006 |page=81}}
| MC_WII = 68/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis/ |title=Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |access-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101004237/https://www.metacritic.com/game/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis/ |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |url-status=live}}
}}
The Xbox 360 version of Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis received "generally favorable" reviews, while the Wii version received "average" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. Reviewers praised its gameplay, detailed visuals, and online multiplayer.
The game's technical aspects received acclaim. IGN{{'s}} Douglass C. Perry felt the graphics and motion capture are "exceptional" and the animation is "beautiful", and praised the stable frame rate. GameSpot{{'s}} Ryan Davis wrote the characters were designed with "phenomenal detail", though felt "there's not much else to look at". GamesRadar+{{'s}} Dan Amrich commended the player models and lighting effects for putting "the hardware to impressive yet playful use".{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review/ |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis review |last=Amrich |first=Dan |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc |date=May 23, 2006 |access-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527122313/https://www.gamesradar.com/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review/ |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |url-status=live }} Tom Orry of VideoGamer.com felt the visuals improved gameplay, particularly applauding smaller details such as the player models and ball physics.{{cite web |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review |title=Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis Review (X360) |last=Orry |first=Tom |website=VideoGamer.com |publisher=Resero Network |date=June 2, 2006 |access-date=January 26, 2020}}
Many reviewers found the gameplay simple yet effective. Perry of IGN called it "deep and addictive" and the controls intuitive. GamesRadar+{{'s}} Amrich echoed similar remarks, writing the controls "feel accessible without alienating 'serious' sports gamers", and Orry of VideoGamer.com called the controls "slick". Eurogamer{{'s}} Tom Bramwell praised the game's simplicity. The New York Times{{'}}s Charles Herold enjoyed the simple control scheme but wrote he would rather play real table tennis.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/15/technology/15game.html |title=From the Maker of Grand Theft Auto ... Table Tennis? |last=Herold |first=Charles |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=June 15, 2006 |accessdate=February 28, 2023 }} GamesRadar+{{'s}} Amrich felt multiplayer extended replayability. Orry and Bramwell named the online multiplayer "excellent"; the former noted minor lag but wrote the "performance was generally very good".
When the game was ported to the Wii, the additional Wii Remote controls received positive reactions. IGN{{'s}} Mark Bozon felt they were an improvement over the original controls, calling it a "huge testament to Rockstar's design". Eurogamer{{'s}} Ellie Gibson found the altered controls work "perfectly", finding them intuitive and "easy to grasp". GameSpot{{'s}} Davis wrote that the controls "work pretty well", though he felt they fail to complement the gameplay. Conversely, Orry of VideoGamer.com felt the original controls "have more depth" than those on the Wii.{{cite web |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/20071029141618-rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis-review |title=Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis Review for Wii |last=Orry |first=Tom |website=VideoGamer.com |publisher=Resero Network |date=October 28, 2007 |access-date=January 26, 2020}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|refs=
{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/rockstar-table-tennis-for-wii |title=Rockstar Table Tennis for Wii |work=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |date=July 18, 2007 |accessdate=November 1, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529032546/https://www.eurogamer.net/rockstar-table-tennis-for-wii |archivedate=May 29, 2022 |url-status=live }}
}}
Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
- {{Citation |url=http://nxeassets.xbox.com/shaxam/0201/f8/bb/f8bb4aab-b62f-4cda-b53c-92c8cc740916.PDF?v=1 |title=Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis Game Manual |editor=Rockstar San Diego |editor-link=Rockstar San Diego |website=Rockstar Games |year=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213002/http://nxeassets.xbox.com/shaxam/0201/f8/bb/f8bb4aab-b62f-4cda-b53c-92c8cc740916.PDF?v=1 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=live}}
{{refend}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.rockstargames.com/tabletennis/}}
- {{moby game|id=/rockstar-games-presents-table-tennis}}
{{portal bar|Sport|Video games}}
{{Rockstar San Diego}}
{{Rockstar Games}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Rockstar Advanced Game Engine games
Category:Table tennis video games