Thursday, March 27, 2025

[Open Letter] To Ash Habib — Keep Your Promise to the Boxing Community

 


[Open Letter] To Ash Habib — Keep Your Promise to the Boxing Community

Dear Ash Habib,

When Undisputed was first announced—then known as eSports Boxing Club (ESBC)—you stood as a bold and passionate visionary in the boxing and gaming space. You repeatedly and adamantly expressed that this game would not follow in the footsteps of watered-down sports titles. You said Undisputed would be a game by boxing fans, for boxing fans—a deep, realistic/simulation boxing game, not just a shallow arcade experience wrapped in a familiar license.

Back then, you were proud to say that you and your team at Steel City Interactive would retain control over the direction of the game. That you wouldn’t cave to pressure, whether from outside investors, influencers, or casual trends. You spoke about depth, authenticity, strategic gameplay, and building something that hadn’t been seen since Fight Night Champion—or arguably ever.

And for a while, you had us believing.

What happened?

Where is that strong voice who said he would not let others dilute his vision?

Where is that promise of a simulation boxing game that respects the intricacies of the sweet science—footwork, stamina, feints, styles, tendencies, ring IQ, weight classes, career progression, realistic knockdowns, and diverse punch animations?

We were here for that. We supported that vision.

But somewhere along the way, the foundation shifted. Realism became a buzzword instead of a core philosophy. Controls began leaning toward "easy to pick up" instead of "master through skill." Boxers no longer behave or move like their real-life counterparts. You had us expecting a boxing world, but gave us a loop of samey fights and AI that doesn’t evolve.

The version of Undisputed that gained traction during the ESBC phase was something special. Raw, yes, but full of promise. It felt like you were building a sim that would evolve with community input from fans who actually understand boxing—not just YouTube influencers chasing hype.

So we ask you, Ash:

  • What happened to your commitment to realism and depth?

  • Why does it seem like Undisputed is now being guided by compromise instead of conviction?

  • Where’s the full integration of sim-style mechanics that you promised in interviews, dev logs, and forums?

You don't owe us perfection, but you owe the boxing gaming community the truth—and ideally, a return to that original fire that got us all invested.

We still believe this game can be the defining boxing sim of this generation. But only if the leader who once stood proudly for the hardcore boxing fans returns to guide it.

You said Undisputed would be different.
Prove it still can be.

Respectfully,
A Supporter of Realistic Boxing Games
& A Member of the Community You Once Inspired

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