Is Steel City Interactive Pushing Boxing Fans Away? A Community Divided Over Realism and Arcade Influence

 

Steel City Interactive: Pushing Boxing Fans Away?

Steel City Interactive (SCI), the studio behind Undisputed, was once seen as the savior of boxing video games. With the sport absent from major gaming platforms for over a decade, the announcement of Undisputed—then known as ESBC—was met with excitement from die-hard boxing fans who had been clamoring for a true simulation of the sweet science. However, over time, many of those same boxing fans now feel alienated, as the game’s direction appears to be shifting away from realism and more towards arcade influences.

Boxing Fans Singled Out for Talking Boxing?

One of the most concerning trends within the Undisputed community has been the treatment of boxing purists in SCI’s official Discord. Reports have surfaced that fans who discuss boxing’s technical aspects—such as footwork, realistic punch mechanics, and the nuances of defensive styles—are often dismissed or even singled out by moderators who favor arcade-style fighting games like Tekken, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter.

These moderators, many of whom are passionate about traditional fighting games rather than boxing, allegedly dominate discussions and enforce their own preferences, which contradict Undisputed's original promise of realism. This has led to tension, with boxing fans feeling like outcasts in a community that should be built for them.

From Simulation to Hybrid Fighter?

SCI’s approach to development has also raised concerns. Initially, Undisputed was marketed as the most realistic boxing game ever, with intricate footwork, strategic stamina management, and an emphasis on real-world fight tactics. However, as updates rolled out, many players noticed gameplay mechanics becoming more arcade-like, with exaggerated movement, increased combo-friendly mechanics, and a deviation from authentic boxing physics.

The moderation team’s bias towards arcade fighters only reinforces the suspicion that Undisputed is being subtly shifted toward a hybrid fighting game rather than a pure boxing simulation. This move alienates hardcore boxing fans while failing to satisfy players who would rather play traditional arcade fighting games.

A Divided Community

Rather than fostering an inclusive space for boxing enthusiasts, SCI's Discord has seemingly become a battleground between those who want realism and those who prefer more accessible, fast-paced gameplay. When boxing fans voice concerns about realism being watered down, they are often met with resistance or outright dismissal. Some have even reported being silenced for pushing for more sim-heavy mechanics, despite Undisputed being initially marketed as a simulation boxing game.

SCI’s reluctance to fully embrace realism is not only alienating its core audience but also creating an identity crisis for Undisputed. If the game strays too far into arcade-like mechanics, it risks losing boxing purists. If it doesn’t go far enough in that direction, it won’t attract the arcade fighting game community either.

The Path Forward

If Steel City Interactive truly wants Undisputed to succeed, it needs to listen to the very fans who supported it from the beginning: the boxing community. The studio must:

1. Reaffirm its commitment to realism – If Undisputed is to remain a simulation-based boxing game, mechanics must reflect the intricacies of real boxing.
2. Balance its moderation team – Moderators who actively dismiss boxing discussions in favor of arcade mechanics should not have the final say in shaping the game’s community.
3. Engage with boxing purists – The best way to make a boxing game is by involving people who understand boxing. Ignoring those fans only damages credibility.

As things stand, SCI seems to be pushing boxing fans away—fans who were willing to champion Undisputed as the future of boxing games. If the studio continues down this path, it risks alienating the very audience that made its game possible.