1. Background: ESBC to Undisputed
-
eSports Boxing Club (ESBC) was first announced in 2020–2021 with a simulation-focused vision:
-
Physics-based blocking
-
Referee presence
-
Clinching
-
Smaller, more realistic footwork steps
-
Organic stamina and recovery
-
Unique boxer tendencies
-
-
Early footage showed deliberate pacing and mechanics that resonated with hardcore boxing fans and real fighters.
Over time, the game shifted to Undisputed — with faster, flashier, more forgiving mechanics and a hybrid arcade/sim feel. Many of the most authentic features disappeared.
2. The Disappearance of Past Work
SCI’s public stance now frames the old ESBC content as “just videos” or “work-in-progress slices,” not full games — despite evidence that they were functioning builds.
From a development standpoint, this is suspect:
-
Studios keep all old builds, feature branches, and milestone code.
-
Losing it outright would require extreme negligence.
-
More likely: a conscious design pivot, with early systems shelved.
3. The PR Framing and What It Hides
1. The “Video vs. Game” Framing
What he said:
Refers to the old ESBC build footage as a video, contrasting it with the current playable game, calling them “apples and oranges.”
Why it matters:
-
Downplays that this was a working gameplay build, not just a concept trailer.
-
Makes it seem less tangible so fans can be told they’re “nostalgic for something easier to like.”
-
Reframes a functioning demo as a non-playable showcase.
2. The “It’s Before My Time” Deflection
What he said:
Mentions the old footage being “a little before I joined” so he “may not have all the context.”
Why it matters:
-
Creates distance from the original vision while sidestepping direct accountability.
-
Conveniently shields him from being tied to the removal of simulation-heavy mechanics — even though big changes align with his tenure.
3. The “I’m Just a Collaborator” Narrative
What he said:
“The short answer is no, I’m not responsible for the vision of the game. I joined the studio because I was already a fan of the vision.”
Why it matters:
-
Positions himself as a passive supporter, not an influencer, while in reality holding a role with presentation, marketing, and feature emphasis power.
-
Allows him to steer tone, pacing, and design philosophy without owning the pivot.
4. The “From Scratch” Rebuild Justification
What he said:
“We didn’t build Undisputed from what came before. We had to build it from scratch.”
Why it matters:
-
Suggests feature loss was a technical necessity rather than a choice.
-
Fans remember physics-based blocking, clinching, and deliberate pacing already in place in Ash’s builds — now gone.
-
“From scratch” is a common PR phrase to explain away regression.
5. The “We’re Still Going in the Same Direction” Claim
What he said:
“That’s unchanged from even before I joined the company.”
Why it matters:
-
Attempts to anchor perception so fans reinterpret changes as “evolution” rather than a pivot.
-
Contradicted by clear differences in mechanics, pacing, and feature set between the 2021 ESBC and the current Undisputed.
4. Then vs. Now — What Changed?
| Ash Habib’s ESBC (2021) | Undisputed (2025) |
|---|---|
| Physics-based blocking & reactions | Simplified hit reactions |
| Referee in the ring affecting gameplay | No referee presence |
| Clinch system previewed | Clinching removed |
| Smaller, realistic movement steps | Larger, faster, arcade-like movement |
| Deliberate pacing & stamina management | More forgiving stamina |
| Heavy input from real boxers in the studio | Boxer input replaced by PR-friendly framing |
5. Why This Matters
-
Fans were drawn to Ash Habib’s original vision — a simulation-first boxing game with authentic mechanics.
-
That vision attracted real fighters, historians, and hardcore boxing fans.
-
Since leadership and direction shifted, the product now leans toward arcade-hybrid mechanics.
-
PR language from key staff:
-
Downplays the original builds.
-
Distances them from accountability.
-
Frames regression as a necessity or normal progression.
-
6. Bottom Line
The pivot from ESBC to Undisputed wasn’t just “natural evolution” — it was a deliberate stripping away of simulation DNA in favor of faster, flashier, more accessible gameplay.
The “video vs. game” framing, “before my time” distancing, and “from scratch” justification are textbook PR moves to make fans doubt their memory of the better, more authentic version.
Ash’s version was closer to the NBA 2K of boxing promise.
Today’s version is a safer, more market-friendly hybrid — and longtime followers are right to feel the original was watered down.
No comments:
Post a Comment