Is Steel City Interactive Holding Back for a Sequel? Why It Might Cost Them the Boxing Community’s Trust
A Promise Undelivered
When Undisputed (formerly ESBC) was first announced, it captured the hearts of boxing fans worldwide. It promised realism, authenticity, and attention to detail that rivaled anything in sports gaming. Trailers teased:
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In-ring referees with real rules enforcement
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Clinching systems
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Smart AI based on boxer tendencies
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Promoters, injuries, cutmen, and real corner dynamics
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Full offline immersion and sim tools
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Dynamic footwork, punch physics, and stamina systems
But years later—and even in Early Access or launch states—many of those features are still missing or remain underdeveloped, despite repeated marketing nods.
Is This an Intentional Strategy?
It appears that SCI may be deliberately withholding core features for a future Undisputed 2. Let’s examine the evidence:
1. Developer Reset & Vision Shift
Founder Ash Habib admitted that the game had been restarted multiple times. The early indie sim vision gave way to a more industry-standard rollout involving ex-EA developers. This suggests a pivot toward franchise building over a one-and-done complete game.
2. Feature Teasing, Then Silence
Core mechanics like the referee and clinching were prominently displayed in old trailers, but quietly faded from recent builds and updates.
3. Industry Blueprint: Withhold & Repackage
EA’s UFC series, NBA 2K, and others have made a habit of:
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Removing features
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Reintroducing them in sequels as “new”
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Segmenting content to monetize over time
SCI may be following this same strategy—but in a genre starving for one complete sim, that could backfire.
The Risks SCI Faces by Holding Back
1. Loss of Trust
Fans who waited 5+ years and supported the project early feel misled. If Undisputed becomes known for “bait-and-switch” marketing, trust will erode.
2. Weak Sequel Sales
If Undisputed 1 is remembered as incomplete, why would fans spend $60–$70 on Undisputed 2? Sequel fatigue sets in faster when the first entry fails to deliver.
3. The Door Opens for Competitors
If another studio (e.g., Leather, or a surprise IP) delivers the true sim experience boxing fans crave, SCI may lose the market they helped reignite.
The Better Strategy SCI Should Have Followed
1. Deliver a Complete Foundation First
Before teasing a sequel, they should have finished:
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Referee presence
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Realistic clinching
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AI based on real boxer tendencies
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Offline systems with cutmen, judges, and corners
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Career realism with training camps, promoters, and damage systems
A good first game earns trust. An incomplete one loses it.
2. Public Development Roadmap
They should have released a transparent roadmap showing:
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What’s coming
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What’s being fixed
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What’s still being explored
And communicated delays honestly.
3. Involve Boxing Experts
Use respected minds like:
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Mark Jones (Boxing historian)
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Jim Trunzo (Title Bout developer)
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Actual referees, trainers, and cutmen
Let them shape AI logic, rule interpretation, judging tendencies, and fighter behavior.
Realistic input leads to realistic output.
4. Create a Modular, Upgradable Platform
Instead of rushing into Undisputed 2, they could have treated Undisputed like:
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A long-term boxing sim platform
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Expanded with DLC packs (Referee Pack, Legacy Career, Clinch Engine)
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Updated regularly based on feedback
Look at No Man’s Sky or Cities: Skylines. They launched with issues but won back fans through commitment—not sequels.
Final Verdict
If SCI is planning to make Undisputed 2 their “real sim boxing game,” they’ve already lost the plot.
You don't earn loyalty by selling a dream and delivering a demo. You earn it by finishing what you promised.
Fans want:
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Real boxing
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Real AI
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Real immersion
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Not vague tweets, stripped mechanics, and a sequel tease for a complete product
There’s still time to course-correct. But if SCI keeps playing the sequel game instead of finishing what they started, another company might step in, and boxing fans might never look back.
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