The debut video game for upstart wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling experienced mixed results throughout the game’s short history. AEW Fight Forever launched in 2023 as the biggest wrestling video game project outside WWE titles in many decades, as there had only been some small-scale titles and a disappointing TNA release since WCW had a presence as the second-biggest wrestling promotion. Fans enjoyed having another option via Fight Forever, but too many flaws showed how difficult it is to develop a major wrestling game.
Video game company Yuke’s worked with AEW to have names like Kenny Omega, CM Punk, and Bryan Danielson ready for launch. Unfortunately, the game struggled to pick up momentum, as the expensive DLC packs didn’t inject enough life into the project. Rumors of a second video game could see big changes coming for the better, as the successor to AEW Fight Forever could let a different developer take a shot at adapting AEW.
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AEW Fight Forever reaching the end of its shelf life should see a sequel working on making the gameplay its main selling point.
AEW & Yuke’s Struggled To Get On Same Page
The development process for AEW Fight Forever featured a lot of confusion for fans waiting for updates. Yuke’s and AEW had different philosophies, merging together for a difficult process of putting together the biggest non-WWE wrestling game of many fans’ lifetimes. Reports circulated that top AEW star Kenny Omega clashed with Yuke’s developers over disagreements in the earlier stages of making the game.
Upon release, Fight Forever had lackluster sales and only held about a year of DLC interest before it got phased out. Many gamers purchased the title at a severe discount or even acquired it for free as part of various subscription services once AEW made it more available. The final product clearly didn’t live up to the full potential that fans and AEW personnel had for the release, with players citing issues with core game mechanics like the pin system, an outdated roster, limited match types, a poor Create-a-Wrestler system, and more being regularly pointed to by frustrated fans.
Yuke’s representatives have passed the pressure to AEW whenever asked about a sequel. The comments typically boil down to it being an AEW decision to figure out the company’s future in the gaming field. Multiple mobile games have been released, but fans are most interested in another major console game. Fortunately, they will likely get their wish at some point.
AEW Boss Tony Khan Wants More Games
Yuke’s may not be sure about the future of AEW gaming, but the President of the wrestling promotion has expressed a desire to continue making games. Tony Khan is often optimistic about AEW’s future after getting a big TV rights renewal, but another major video game is a bigger task. Still, YouTuber Mr. Wright Way’s interview with Tony Khan produced a positive comment about the future. Khan claimed that the current Fight Forever game will continue to get support, and more importantly, that the future is bright for more AEW games as time goes on:
“I think eventually, absolutely we’ll still keep putting AEW games into the world.”
Yuke’s comments have the opposite approach of waiting to hear back from AEW and putting the ball in their court. Khan has made it clear that AEW will look at more opportunities to build future games to show differing mindsets, but a new partner may be the missing piece. The lack of a timetable likely means a lot of changes will be made before development starts.
AEW May Be Better Off Without Yuke’s
The rumors of conflict between the two sides during development and the lack of communication about the future have wrestling fans putting two and two together that the AEW and Yuke’s partnership is ending. A lack of chemistry between the two parties and the reported disagreements proved they didn’t have the same vision, which caused some of the game’s problems.
AEW finding another developer and company to trust may be the magical formula needed to release a smash-hit video game. The talent in the company is certainly good enough to warrant making another game and adding the many new signings from the last year, but undeniable greatness is needed to succeed as a wrestling game without the WWE name.
More time and effort is needed, even if it leads to fans growing upset about a long wait time, which is something that was already experienced with the first major AEW game. To make the wait worth it this time around, the game has to address any complaints fans had about Fight Forever, and a big step toward that will be ensuring that whatever video game company works on the game has the same vision as the wrestling promotion. AEW Fight Forever separating from Yuke’s to find a more suitable partner is the biggest step needed to making a much better second console game, and this certainly seems likely based on recent reports.
- Released
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June 29, 2023
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