Open Letter to Video Game Companies: Stop Forcing Boxing Fans to Be Arcade Fighting Game Fans — Respect the Sport of Boxing!

 

Open Letter to Video Game Companies: Stop Forcing Boxing Fans to Be Arcade Fighting Game Fans — Respect the Sport of Boxing!

To Whom It May Concern,

It’s time to address an ongoing frustration that continues to plague boxing fans and gamers alike: the continued misrepresentation and oversimplification of the sport of boxing in video games. For far too long, video game companies have defaulted to arcade-style mechanics, sacrificing the depth, nuance, and integrity of the Sweet Science in favor of fast-paced, button-mashing entertainment. It’s a disservice to the sport and to the dedicated fans who have been waiting—yearning—for a true boxing simulation.

Boxing Is a Sport, Not a Fighting Game Archetype

Boxing is not a traditional fighting game. It's not about lifebars, supers, and teleporting moves. It’s a sport rooted in strategy, timing, rhythm, conditioning, technique, footwork, and psychology. When video game companies treat boxing as just another variant of a fighting game genre, they erase what makes it unique.

Real boxing fans don’t want a clone of a popular MMA game or a reskinned street brawler. We want a boxing video game that reflects boxing—not just in aesthetics, but in mechanics, strategy, and spirit.

Watered-Down Mechanics Betray the Essence of the Sport

When companies oversimplify gameplay and strip away realistic elements like foot positioning, punch variation, stamina management, clinching, and ring generalship, they’re not making the game more accessible—they’re making it less meaningful.

These design choices not only alienate boxing purists, but they also teach newer players a distorted version of boxing. Arcade mechanics reward button mashers, not thinkers. They remove the chess match, the pacing, and the drama that makes boxing great.

There Is a Growing Demand for Realism

In 2024 and beyond, players want immersive, realistic experiences. Games like NBA 2K, FIFA, and MLB The Show are praised for their attention to detail and simulation quality. Why, then, is boxing treated differently? Why is realism considered a risk rather than an opportunity?

The community has shown it wants more. We’ve seen passionate creators campaign for years, creating detailed wishlists, proposing mechanic systems, and even building their own concepts. These are not casual requests—these are blueprints for greatness that video game companies continue to ignore.

Respect the Culture, Respect the Community

Boxing has an incredibly rich history filled with drama, style, cultural significance, and deep-rooted fan engagement. A realistic boxing game can tap into this legacy—not just by licensing big names, but by respecting the sport’s foundations.

Let us fight at range, in the pocket, or on the inside. Let us manage stamina like real fighters. Let us feel the weight of footwork, the consequence of overcommitting, and the thrill of perfectly timed counters. Let us build legacies, rivalries, careers, and stables—not just collect skins and icons.

Let Realism Be the Default, Not the Exception

It's not too much to ask for a boxing game that plays like boxing. That shouldn't be a niche request—it should be the standard. If developers want to include arcade modes, let that be an option, not the default.

Give players sliders, realism settings, and control over the experience. But never again should realism be sacrificed just to court a few casual button mashers. Boxing fans are ready to support a game that respects them and the sport they love. Give us that chance.

Closing Thoughts

We don’t hate arcade games—we just don’t want boxing turned into one. There’s room for different genres, but when boxing is consistently misrepresented by developers who lack either the passion or understanding of the sport, it becomes clear: the sport of boxing is not being respected.

So to all developers, publishers, and decision-makers: listen to the community, respect the sport, and stop forcing boxing fans to be arcade fighting game fans. We’re ready to support a real boxing simulation—are you ready to build one?

Sincerely,
A Realistic Boxing Game Supporter
On behalf of boxing purists, sim fans, and those who love the Sweet Science