❓ The Core Issue
Many fans expect free DLC boxers, but doing so without understanding the real-world logistics of licensing and development costs can lead to unfair expectations—especially from a smaller studio like SCI.
💰 1. Why Free DLC Isn’t Always Feasible
⚖️ A. SCI Is Not a Billion-Dollar Company
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Budget constraints are real. SCI isn't EA, 2K, or Ubisoft.
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Every boxer added requires negotiation, contracts, payment, and sometimes ongoing royalties.
📃 B. Licensing Boxers Costs Money
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Boxers (or their managers/promoters) often sign on specifically to be part of paid DLC.
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Some contracts likely include a revenue share or fixed licensing fee per download or sale.
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Offering them for free undercuts the business model that made the roster possible in the first place.
🤝 2. Boxer Participation Tied to DLC
🧾 A. DLC Revenue May Be Used to Pay the Boxers
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The DLC is likely not just a bonus—it could be the only way to fund certain boxers' inclusion.
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Removing that revenue stream could mean:
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Fewer licensed boxers.
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No additions post-launch.
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Less incentive for top-tier names to participate.
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📉 B. Free DLC Could Shrink Roster Growth
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If fans demand all content be free, it limits what SCI can afford to deliver.
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That means fewer:
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Realistic updates.
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Legacy fighters.
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Up-and-coming talent.
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💬 3. So Is It Fair for Fans to Expect Free DLC?
Short Answer: No, it’s not fair. Here’s why:
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SCI is not a giant studio with endless resources.
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Boxer DLC likely pays the boxer and supports ongoing development.
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Many fans want realism and a deep roster, which isn’t cheap to produce.
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SCI already took a financial risk by trying to make a sim-style boxing game, something others have avoided for years.
✅ 4. What Is a Fair Expectation?
Here’s what fans can fairly expect:
| Expectation | Fair? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paid DLC at reasonable prices | ✅ | Supports the studio & pays boxers. |
| Bundle deals or Season Passes | ✅ | Makes content more accessible. |
| Free updates (bug fixes, balancing, QoL) | ✅ | These are standard and part of live service. |
| Free cosmetic gear, limited-time items, or trial boxers | ✅ | Keeps goodwill and community engaged. |
| All major DLC always free | ❌ | Not sustainable for a small dev with licensed fighters. |
🧠 Final Thought
Fans often say they want realism in boxing games—but that includes realistic expectations around how a boxing game's business model works.
If we want:
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Better boxer animations,
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Larger rosters,
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Legacy fighters,
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And long-term support...
Then paid DLC, especially for real licensed boxers, is not just fair—it’s necessary.
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