Defending A Boxing Game Better than a Million Dollar Lawyer and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The Problem: Defending the Indefensible in Boxing Games

1. Shifting the Blame to Players

It’s disheartening when a gamer defends a poorly made boxing game by turning the criticism back on players who wanted more — specifically, players who asked for realism, depth, and mechanics that were promised or implied during marketing.

• Instead of acknowledging missing features or shallow gameplay, defenders claim the “realistic” mechanics are already there — even when they’re clearly absent.

• This flips the narrative so the player asking for more is painted as the problem, rather than the game’s actual shortcomings.

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2. Manufactured Praise

At times, this defense feels almost too consistent and too rehearsed, as if certain voices are actively trying to make the game sound like it matches its original pitch when it doesn’t.

• These defenders often repeat talking points straight from marketing blurbs or developer statements without addressing the gameplay reality.

• It creates the impression of a PR campaign rather than genuine player feedback.

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3. False Equivalency of Effort and Execution

A common argument from defenders is, “The developers worked hard, so you should appreciate it.”

• Effort is admirable — but effort without the promised execution doesn’t meet the standard set by the developers themselves.

• In the end, players paid for the product that was advertised, not just for the developer’s time.

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4. Why This Hurts the Genre

When bad boxing games are over-defended:

• Developers receive the message that the bar is already “good enough.”

• Publishers see no need to invest in better mechanics, AI, or realism.

• True boxing sim fans — who want mechanics like stamina management, ring generalship, realistic damage, clinching, and adaptive AI — are left with shallow arcade experiences dressed up as simulations.

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5. The Bigger Picture

If gamers keep defending underwhelming products:

• The genre will stagnate.

• Realism will remain a “niche” request instead of the baseline.

• Marketing spin will replace meaningful innovation.