Passion Shaming Hardcore Boxing Fans: A Weak Defense Against Realism in Boxing Games

 

Passion shaming is a weak tactic used by people who can’t refute an argument with logic, so they resort to making fun of someone’s enthusiasm instead. When gamers try to passion shame hardcore boxing fans who want a realistic/sim boxing game, it usually boils down to these common dismissive tactics:

1. "It's just a game, bro."

   • This argument ignores the fact that games, like any form of media, can be deeply meaningful to people. Whether it's movies, books, or sports, fans care about authenticity. If someone wanted a basketball game that actually played like real basketball, would they be "too serious"? No, they'd just want a quality experience.

2. "You're being too picky."

   • Hardcore fans actually know what makes a great boxing game because they understand the sport. It’s not about being picky—it’s about holding developers accountable so the game actually feels like boxing and not an arcade mash-up with boxing gloves.

3. "Realism isn’t fun."

   • This is an excuse made by people who don’t understand that realism can be fun if done correctly. Look at successful sports sims—FIFA, NBA 2K (when done right), and even older games like Fight Night Champion had a strong sim appeal. If realism is so "boring," why do so many fans of sports games mod them to be even more realistic?

4. "You guys just complain about everything."

   • Hardcore boxing fans push for a quality game because they’ve been waiting over a decade for a true boxing sim. It's not "complaining"—it’s demanding better from developers who often take shortcuts or misrepresent the sport.

5. "Casuals are the majority; the game should cater to them."

   • This argument misunderstands how sports games thrive. Look at any major sports game—the casual audience gets interested because the game has depth, strategy, and a connection to the real sport. Casuals might buy the game, but hardcore fans keep it alive.

At the end of the day, passion shaming is a way to shut down real discussion about making a better boxing game. Hardcore fans want something that respects the sport, plays authentically, and gives players the ability to box realistically. If a developer gets that right, both casuals and hardcore fans will enjoy the game—because a well-made game speaks for itself.