Why EA Still Hasn’t Announced a New Fight Night — Even After Undisputed Proved Boxing Games Can Sell
1. EA’s Boxing Revival Was Greenlit — Then Paused
In November 2021, Video Games Chronicle reported that EA had green-lit a new Fight Night, codenamed Moneyball, but then paused development so EA Canada could focus on UFC 5.
“Don’t split the core team across two complex projects,” was the reasoning at the time (VGC, 2021).
Read the full article here.
2. Licensing Complexity — EA’s Stated Roadblock
EA has often pointed to the challenge of licensing individual boxers, promoters, and sanctioning bodies as a key hurdle. Unlike UFC, which operates under a single licensing umbrella, boxing deals must be negotiated one by one.
3. Steel City Interactive’s Licensing Feat
Here’s where the comparison gets interesting. Steel City Interactive (SCI) — an indie studio founded in 2020 — launched Undisputed in October 2024 with:
-
200+ licensed boxers (past & present)
-
Referees, trainers, cutmen with real likenesses
-
Multiple real-world belts (WBC, IBF, WBO, etc.)
-
Announcers, promoters, and venues
They achieved this through persistent outreach, creative revenue-sharing deals, and relationship-building in the boxing world. This suggests the “licensing is too hard” explanation might be more about corporate priorities than feasibility.
4. Recent Rumors — But Still Silence From EA
After Undisputed’s launch, outlets like Game Rant noted renewed chatter that EA might revisit Fight Night. But as of August 2025, there’s been no official confirmation or denial.
One Reddit commenter summed up fan frustration:
“We’ve heard rumors for over a decade. Don’t hold your breath.”
5. Why EA Might Still Be Waiting
| Factor | Possible Impact |
|---|---|
| UFC focus | Steadier revenue & simpler licensing |
| Risk management | Boxing seen as a niche |
| Resource allocation | Top dev teams tied to UFC |
| Market watching | Waiting to see Undisputed’s long-term sales |
6. The “Switch-a-Roo” Factor
Some fans feel SCI shifted Undisputed mid-development toward more arcade-style gameplay. Yet even with that pivot, it secured massive licensing deals and sold well. That success shows there is a hungry audience for realistic boxing, which makes EA’s prolonged inaction harder to justify.
Bottom Line:
SCI, with a fraction of EA’s resources, proved a boxing game can be both licensed and commercially viable. For now, fans can only keep pushing — because if Fight Night returns, it’s likely still years away.
Sources:
-
Undisputed official announcements & press releases
No comments:
Post a Comment