Let Poe Back – Why SCI Needs to Reconsider the Ban
1. The Heart of the Matter
PoeticDrink2u, known as Poe, has been one of the most vocal, passionate, and consistent advocates for a realism/simulation-based boxing video game. His feedback has spanned years—long before Undisputed entered Early Access. Poe's contributions were never shallow complaints. They were rooted in a desire to elevate boxing gaming to a standard it’s never reached, grounded in authenticity and respect for the sweet science.
Yet despite his commitment, SCI—or more specifically, some Undisputed Discord moderators—chose to ban him. Not for harassment. Not for violating terms in any overt way. But for challenging the direction the game was going and holding the developers accountable when they began drifting from their original “realistic sim” vision.
2. Who Poe Represents
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Longtime Sim Boxing Advocates – People who’ve waited over a decade for a game that respects boxing’s layers.
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Players who Value Realism Over Flash – Poe's advocacy speaks to those who want boxing simulation, not arcade slugfests disguised as realism.
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Legacy Contributors – Poe contributed feedback long before many of today’s Discord moderators or content creators even knew about Undisputed.
3. Why the Ban Feels Strategic
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Moderators with Surface-Level Interest: Many mods are not hardcore boxing fans. They’re gamers or influencers assigned to manage community spaces, but they lack the nuanced understanding needed to recognize constructive criticism from disruptive behavior.
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Silencing a Voice That Pressed Too Hard: Poe was strategic, sharp, and relentless. He didn’t settle for vague promises or surface-level updates. This may have made some moderators uncomfortable—but discomfort isn't a reason to exile someone.
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Control Over Direction: As SCI backtracked from sim/realism and began shifting toward a broader, more arcade-accessible product, voices like Poe became a threat—not to the community, but to the narrative SCI and its moderation team wanted to control.
4. The Harm of Silencing Poe
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Loss of an Organic Community Leader: Poe's insights, ideas, and historic knowledge of boxing video game development are unmatched. His removal is a net loss for community quality and feedback accuracy.
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Signal to Other Critics: Banning Poe sends a message: “Challenge us too much, and you're gone.” It discourages valuable dissent and deep critique, which is exactly what builds great games.
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Undermining Real Boxing Fans: Poe is the type of fan SCI claimed they were building this game for. By removing him, SCI shows that realism boxing fans might only be welcome when they’re quiet or blindly supportive.
5. What SCI Should Do
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Reinstate Poe: Let him back into the Discord with a conversation—not a punishment. Make space for the voices who care the most.
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Audit Moderation Practices: Ensure that mods have the context, temperament, and boxing IQ to handle tough conversations without resorting to bans.
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Recommit to Realism in Word and Action: Poe’s presence is a barometer for the direction SCI is headed. If they’re serious about realism, then his voice should be central—not censored.
6. Final Thought
You don’t build a realistic boxing video game by banning the people who actually know boxing. SCI said they were making a game for boxing fans, by boxing fans. If that’s still true, Poe deserves a seat at the table—not a ban from the room.
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