Fans Should Stop Making Excuses for Boxing Video Game Developers—Especially the Veterans in the Era of Newer Technology

 

Fans Should Stop Making Excuses for Boxing Video Game Developers—Especially the Veterans in the Era of Newer Technology

For over a decade, boxing video game fans have been waiting for a truly great, realistic boxing simulation. With modern technology and advancements in game development, there are no valid excuses for the lack of innovation, depth, and realism in recent or upcoming boxing games. Yet, some fans continue to defend developers, making excuses for missing features, lackluster mechanics, and overall poor execution.

The reality is this: gaming has evolved. Sports games—whether it’s FIFA (now EA Sports FC), NBA 2K, or MLB The Show—have seen leaps in realism, presentation, and customization. Meanwhile, boxing games continue to lag behind, often riddled with half-baked mechanics, limited modes, and an overall lack of depth. With the rise of more powerful game engines, motion capture technology, and AI advancements, there's no reason why boxing video games should be stuck in the past.

The Veteran Developers Should Know Better

Some developers working on modern boxing games have experience from past titles like Fight Night or other combat sports games. These veterans should understand the intricacies of boxing and the expectations of fans, yet many of them seem to be making the same mistakes—or worse, ignoring crucial elements that once made past games great.

In an era where game developers have access to more resources, better technology, and deeper community engagement, the idea that boxing games should remain shallow or incomplete is unacceptable. The sport itself hasn't changed—real-world boxing still operates with rankings, weight divisions, promotional structures, and different fighting styles. So why do developers struggle to reflect these elements accurately in a game?

Excuses Fans Need to Stop Making

Too many fans are willing to give developers a pass when they fail to deliver on expectations. Here are some of the most common excuses, and why they don’t hold up:

1. "Boxing Isn’t Popular Enough to Justify a Good Game"

This argument falls apart when you look at other niche sports that have successful games. Games like F1 23, MotoGP, and PGA Tour 2K cater to smaller audiences yet manage to be deep, engaging, and well-received. The issue isn’t boxing’s popularity—it’s the execution of the game itself. A well-made boxing game will attract fans, just like any well-made sports game does.

2. "They’re Just a Small Team, Give Them Time"

While indie developers deserve patience, this excuse is often applied to larger teams who have the experience and resources to do better. Even smaller teams have shown they can create polished and detailed sports games—so why should boxing be any different? Developers should be transparent about their limitations and not overpromise features they can't deliver.

3. "We Should Be Grateful We’re Even Getting a Boxing Game"

Gratitude shouldn’t come at the cost of quality. Fans shouldn’t have to accept a subpar experience just because it’s the only option. Settling for mediocrity only encourages developers to cut corners and avoid pushing the genre forward.

4. "It’s Hard to Get Real Boxers in the Game"

While licensing real fighters is a challenge, a great boxing game doesn’t need a full roster of real-world boxers to be successful. Games like UFC 4 thrive on strong gameplay mechanics, not just the roster. A game with deep customization, a strong career mode, and realistic boxing mechanics would thrive even without every real fighter.

5. "Realism Isn’t Fun, It Needs to Be More Arcadey"

This is one of the worst excuses. Realism and fun are not mutually exclusive—sports fans love simulation-style games when done correctly. If realism were truly boring, franchises like NBA 2K or Madden NFL wouldn’t dominate the market. A realistic boxing game can still be exciting, dynamic, and accessible.

The Technological Advancements That Developers Should Be Using

With the tools available today, boxing game developers have no reason to deliver a lackluster experience. Here are just a few examples of how modern technology could elevate boxing games:

• Advanced AI: AI should allow for realistic boxer tendencies, styles, and fight strategies. Every boxer should feel unique, not like a generic template.
• Motion Capture & Physics-Based Animations: Animations should look and feel organic, not robotic or overly scripted. Punch reactions, footwork, and defensive movements should all reflect real boxing.
• Dynamic Weight Classes & Rankings: A proper ranking system, weight management, and boxing politics (like mandatory challengers, promotional disputes, and tournament brackets) should be in the game.
• True Career Mode Integration: Career mode should be deep, allowing for long-term progression, training camp adjustments, and evolving rivalries.
• Custom Boxer & Trainer Systems: The ability to create fighters with customizable styles, stances, and strategies would add depth to both single-player and online modes.

Fans Deserve More, and It’s Time to Demand It

The only way boxing video games will improve is if fans stop settling for mediocrity. Other sports game communities push for improvements—boxing fans need to do the same. Instead of making excuses, demand better AI, better physics, and deeper modes. Developers have the technology at their fingertips; they just need to use it properly.

In the end, if developers can’t deliver a truly immersive boxing experience in the modern gaming landscape, maybe they’re not the right people to make the game in the first place.