Don't Let Rumors Paralyze Boxing Videogame Development
Structured Open Letter Style Response
To the Studios Hesitating to Make a Boxing Video Game,
There’s a narrative floating around that has quietly crippled creativity and halted ambition: the fear that if EA returns to boxing, it will destroy any competing efforts. This fear—whether whispered in meetings or posted anonymously online—has paralyzed too many developers from even thinking about creating a boxing game. Let’s set the record straight:
Rumors Aren’t Reality—Fans Are
The constant rumor mill about a new Fight Night reboot has become a distraction. Year after year, the headlines tease EA’s return to boxing, only for fans to be disappointed time and time again. This has created a myth: “Why compete if EA might come back?” But here’s the reality—EA hasn’t made a boxing game in over a decade, and if they truly wanted to, they would’ve acted already.
More importantly, fans aren’t waiting on EA. They're waiting on excellence.
EA Doesn’t Own the Sport of Boxing
Some studios wrongly assume that EA’s shadow means instant failure for their efforts. But ask yourself: Did EA invent boxing? Did they create the only system that can represent the sweet science? The answer is a firm no.
What EA created with Fight Night was a moment in time, not a monopoly. The sport has evolved. The audience has evolved. And if you listen closely, you’ll find an even deeper hunger for a realistic, smart, and community-driven boxing simulation—something no company has fully delivered yet.
A Great Game Will Win—With or Without Real Boxers
One of the most misleading beliefs is that without licensed fighters, a boxing game won’t succeed. This couldn’t be more wrong. Many legendary sports titles (e.g., Pro Evolution Soccer, Title Bout Championship Boxing) thrived on depth and gameplay—not just licenses.
Boxing fans will support a quality product whether the roster is made of legends, fictional names, or created boxers from the community. If the mechanics are tight, the physics are realistic, and the content is rich—they will show up. The proof? Just look at the Undisputed early access hype—before things fell off due to poor follow-through, fans gave it the benefit of the doubt. That faith can be captured again.
The Real Risk is Doing Nothing
The biggest risk isn't EA. It’s the missed opportunity of a generation. We’re in an era where:
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Technology allows for realistic physics, motion learning, and AI behavior.
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Communities are craving sim-depth and customization.
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Boxing’s global visibility is growing through influencers, crossover events, and YouTube stars.
Now is the time for bold ideas, not corporate fear. Because while EA waits, another company could become the 2K of boxing—the new gold standard.
Final Message to Developers:
If you’ve considered making a boxing game—do it. Don’t water it down. Don’t wait for EA. Don’t assume the sport is too niche. Instead, build it with authenticity, passion, and community, and you’ll find a loyal audience eager to support it every step of the way.
Boxing fans are ready.
Are you?
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