Team and Technology Requirements for a Realistic Boxing Videogame – SCI Gaps Highlighted

 

I. Core Development Team

1. Creative Director / Game Director – 1

2. Lead Game Designer – 1

3. Systems Designer (combat, stamina, AI logic) – 2

4. Career Mode / Progression Designer – 2

5. UI/UX Designer – 2

6. Gameplay Programmers – 4

7. Physics Programmer – 2

8. Animation Systems Programmer – 2

9. AI Programmers (behavior, tendencies, decision-making) – 3

10. Procedural AI / Simulation Engineer – 2

11. Network Engineer (online fights) – 1

12. Tools Programmer (editor dashboards, AI tuning tools) – 2

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II. Animation & Art Team

13. Animation Director – 1

14. Combat / Motion Capture Animators – 6

15. Technical Animator – 2

16. Motion Capture Director / Mocap Team – 2

17. 3D Character Artists – 4

18. Facial Rigging Specialist – 1

19. Skin / Sweat Shader Artist – 1

20. Technical Artist (LOD, pipelines, performance) – 2

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III. Boxing-Specific Specialists

21. Former Professional Boxers / Trainers – 3

22. Judges / Referees (realistic rules) – 2

23. Boxing Analysts / Historians – 2

24. Sports Biomechanics / Injury Consultant – 2

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IV. Presentation & Audio

25. Audio Director / Sound Designer – 1

26. Foley Artist (punches, footsteps, cloth) – 2

27. Crowd / Arena Sound Designer – 1

28. Commentary Writer / AI Integration – 2

29. Cinematic / Replay Director – 1

30. Replay & Camera Systems Engineer – 2

31. Lighting / Arena Artist – 1

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V. QA & Live Support

32. Gameplay QA Testers – 5

33. AI & Behavior QA – 3

34. Boxing-literate Playtesters – 3

35. Live Balance / Telemetry Analyst – 2

36. Community Manager (boxing-savvy) – 1

37. Anti-Cheat Engineer – 1

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VI. Core Technology / Tools

38. Game Engine: Unreal Engine 5 (or Unity) – 1 tech lead

39. Motion Capture Hardware & Software: OptiTrack / Vicon / Rokoko – 1 pipeline lead

40. Physics / Hit-Reaction Solver – 1 engineer

41. Procedural AI Tools & Data Pipelines – 2 engineers

42. Version Control / CI/CD Systems – 1 engineer

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Total Estimated Team Size: 68–72 people

Procedural AI handles dynamic tendencies, situational decision-making, and fight variation—making every boxer feel unique and unpredictable without pre-scripted patterns.

 

I. Core Development Team Gaps

1. AI Programmers (behavior, tendencies, decision-making) – 3*

   • Impact: Without these, boxers cannot react intelligently or dynamically. Fighting patterns will feel repetitive or “scripted.”

   • Solution: Hire in-house or outsource to AI specialists with sports simulation experience.

2. Procedural AI / Simulation Engineers – 2*

   • Impact: The game can’t dynamically generate unique boxer behaviors, adaptive strategies, or realistic in-ring decision-making.

   • Solution: Develop procedural AI systems layered on top of core behavior trees to create variability in fights.

3. Commentary AI Integration – 2*

   • Impact: Commentary cannot respond to boxer tendencies, fight flow, or procedural events dynamically. Pre-recorded lines may feel disconnected.

   • Solution: Build AI-triggered commentary tied to in-game events and tendencies.

4. AI & Behavior QA – 3*

   • Impact: AI bugs or unrealistic behavior will go unnoticed, breaking immersion.

   • Solution: Dedicated QA with knowledge of boxing rules and fight logic.

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II. Animation & Art Considerations

• SCI likely has animators, mocap, and technical art, but no dedicated AI-animation sync team.

  • Impact: Without AI-animation integration, procedural AI moves may clash with animation, causing foot sliding, stiff punches, or unnatural knockdowns.

  • Solution: Assign animators to work closely with AI engineers to ensure procedural AI drives realistic animation blending.

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III. Boxing-Specific Specialists

• SCI likely relies on a few consultants rather than full-time boxing experts.

  • Impact: Subtle aspects like judging nuances, stamina decay, punch accuracy, or strategic corner adjustments may be simplified or missing.

  • Solution: Maintain a core group of boxing consultants, ideally with regular access for testing AI behaviors and fight logic.

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IV. Live Ops & Post-Launch Gaps

• SCI may lack live balance analysts and telemetry experts focused on AI.

  • Impact: Post-launch, AI exploits, meta behaviors, or fight pacing issues won’t be corrected, reducing long-term realism.

  • Solution: Assign 1–2 telemetry analysts and gameplay designers to monitor AI performance and adjust tendencies dynamically.

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V. Technology / Tools Gaps

1. Procedural AI Tools & Data Pipelines – 2*

   • Impact: Designers cannot easily tweak tendencies, fight strategies, or AI learning curves.

   • Solution: Build a visual editor/dashboard for procedural AI settings and boxing tendencies.

2. AI Testing & Simulation Environment

   • Impact: Without a controlled sandbox, testing AI at scale is impossible.

   • Solution: Create a simulation environment where AI can fight hundreds of matches to refine decision-making.

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VI. Summary of SCI Gaps

Role / Function	Count	Criticality	Notes / Solution
AI Programmers	3	Very High	Needed for behavior trees, fight logic, and tendencies
Procedural AI Engineers	2	Very High	Handles adaptive boxer behavior, randomization, and fight variety
Commentary AI Integration	2	Medium	Makes commentary reactive to fight events and tendencies
AI & Behavior QA	3	High	Tests AI consistency, realism, and edge cases
Procedural AI Tools / Dashboards	2	High	Enables designers to tweak AI without coding

Total Missing Team Members: 12–13 people

 

I. Core Engine & Physics Technology

1. Game Engine: Unreal Engine 5 (or Unity, but UE5 preferred)

   • Realistic physics, animation blending, high-fidelity visuals.

2. Physics Engine / Hit Reaction Solver:

   • Chaos Physics (UE5) or custom solver.

   • Models punch momentum, body rotation, knockback, knockdowns, and dazed states.

3. Procedural Animation System:

   • IK/FK blending for dynamic punches, dodges, and reactions.

   • Integrates with procedural AI for unpredictable behavior.

4. Ragdoll / Physics-Based Hurt System:

   • Used for realistic knockdowns, clinches, and unbalanced footwork.

5. Collision & Body-Part Detection:

   • Per-limb hit detection (head, body, arms) with impact scaling for damage, stun, and knockdowns.

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II. Advanced AI & Simulation Tech

1. Behavior Tree + Utility AI Framework:

   • Governs decisions based on boxer tendencies, stamina, position, and punch risk/reward.

2. Procedural AI / Fight Simulation Engine:

   • Dynamically generates unique strategies for each boxer.

   • Adjusts behavior in real-time based on opponent tendencies.

3. Adaptive Stamina & Fatigue Modeling:

   • Realistic energy decay based on punches thrown, movement, and body shots.

4. Knockdown & KO Prediction Engine:

   • Combines punch force, impact location, opponent’s chin, body condition, and fatigue.

   • Determines dazed states vs. full KOs.

5. Dynamic Corner Advice AI:

   • Trainers advise AI boxers based on fight state, stamina, and momentum.

6. Referee & Judge AI:

   • Implements real boxing rules, fouls, and scoring biases dynamically.

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III. Animation & Motion Technology

1. Full Motion Capture Pipeline:

   • Multiple cameras, full-body suits, facial capture.

   • Clean-up and retargeting software (MotionBuilder, Maya).

2. Procedural Animation Blending:

   • Transitions between punches, blocks, slips, and reactions dynamically.

3. Inverse Kinematics Systems:

   • Ensures hands and feet hit target positions naturally.

4. Dynamic Weight & Momentum Simulation:

   • Animations respond to punch force, boxer mass, and movement speed.

5. Cloth / Glove / Arena Physics:

   • Boxing shorts, gloves, and ropes respond to movement for immersion.

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IV. Visual & Audio Technology

1. Real-Time Skin & Sweat Shader System:

   • Simulates sweat, blood, and bruising dynamically.

2. Dynamic Lighting System:

   • Arena lighting reacts to camera angles, punch flash, and slow-motion effects.

3. Audio Event Engine:

   • Punches, footwork, crowd, referee, and commentary react dynamically.

4. AI-Driven Commentary Engine:

   • Tied to procedural AI outcomes; adjusts dialogue based on fighter tendencies, knockdowns, or momentum swings.

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V. Tools & Pipelines

1. AI / Procedural AI Editor:

   • Visual dashboard for adjusting tendencies, punch probability, decision-making weights.

2. Fight Simulation Sandbox:

   • Run hundreds of AI vs. AI matches for balancing and tuning.

3. Replay System & Cinematic Tools:

   • Dynamically selects camera angles for KO shots and highlights.

4. Telemetry Capture:

   • Tracks AI behavior, punch stats, stamina usage, and crowd reactions for debugging and balance.

5. Version Control & CI/CD:

   • Perforce, Git, or Plastic SCM for large team workflows.

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VI. Optional / Cutting-Edge Tech

1. Machine Learning-Based AI Training:

   • AI can “learn” player patterns or historically modeled boxer styles.

2. Procedural Crowd & Venue Simulation:

   • Crowd reacts to fight momentum and commentary dynamically.

3. Dynamic Injury & Recovery System:

   • Models minor injuries, swelling, fatigue effects, or slow recovery in career mode.

4. Online Fight Prediction Engine:

   • Balances matchmaking and adapts AI for multiplayer.

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SCI Tech Gaps (beyond missing AI roles):

• Procedural AI engine & tools *

• Knockdown / KO physics solver *

• Fatigue/stamina simulation engine *

• Dynamic corner, referee, judge AI *

• AI-driven commentary engine *

• Machine-learning modules for adaptive AI *

• Fight simulation sandbox *

• Telemetry & analytics for AI tuning *

What would be the Ultimate Team:

The ultimate, no-compromises staff list to build an epic, genre-defining boxing videogame, one that gets mechanics, intelligence, presentation, and boxing culture right. This is the “if you want to do it properly” version.

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 I. Vision, Leadership & Control (6)

1. Executive Producer – 1

2. Creative Director (boxing-first philosophy) – 1

3. Game Director – 1

4. Technical Director – 1

5. Lead Boxing Consultant (former pro/trainer) – 1

6. Live Product Director (post-launch realism & balance) – 1

Subtotal: 6

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 II. AI, Procedural Systems & Simulation (THE CORE) (18)

7. AI Director – 1

8. Senior AI Engineers (behavior trees, utility AI) – 4

9. Procedural AI / Simulation Engineers – 4

10. Machine Learning / Adaptive AI Engineer – 2

11. Data Scientist (telemetry, fight modeling) – 2

12. AI Tools Engineer (designer dashboards) – 2

13. AI QA Specialists – 3

What this enables:

• Unique boxer personalities

• Style adaptation mid-fight

• No fixed metas

• Real fight IQ

• Era-accurate behavior

Subtotal: 18

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 III. Gameplay, Combat & Physics Engineering (16)

14. Lead Gameplay Engineer – 1

15. Gameplay Programmers – 6

16. Physics / Impact Solver Engineers – 3

17. Animation Systems Engineers – 3

18. Network Engineer (online precision) – 2

19. Replay / Camera Systems Engineer – 1

Subtotal: 16

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 IV. Animation, Mocap & Biomechanics (20)

20. Animation Director – 1

21. Lead Combat Animator – 1

22. Combat Animators – 8

23. Technical Animators – 4

24. Motion Capture Director – 1

25. Mocap Cleanup / Retargeting Animators – 3

26. Sports Biomechanics Consultant – 2

What this enables:

• Weight transfer

• Balance loss

• Real knockdowns

• Non-scripted KOs

Subtotal: 20

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 V. Character Art, Arenas & Visual Tech (16)

27. Art Director – 1

28. Character Artists – 6

29. Facial Rigging & Expression Specialists – 2

30. Technical Artists (performance, shaders) – 3

31. Environment / Arena Artists – 3

32. Lighting Artist (broadcast realism) – 1

Subtotal: 16

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 VI. Audio, Commentary & Presentation (10)

33. Audio Director – 1

34. Sound Designers / Foley Artists – 3

35. Crowd Simulation Designer – 1

36. Commentary Writers – 2

37. Commentary Systems Engineer – 2

38. Cinematic Director – 1

Subtotal: 10

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 VII. Boxing Authenticity & Sport Intelligence (10)

39. Former Pro Boxers (varied styles) – 3

40. Trainers / Cutmen – 2

41. Judges (modern + old-school) – 2

42. Referees (rules & behavior) – 2

43. Boxing Historian / Analyst – 1

Subtotal: 10

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 VIII. QA, Balance & Fight Integrity (14)

44. QA Director – 1

45. Gameplay QA Testers – 6

46. AI Behavior QA – 4

47. Balance Analysts – 2

48. Exploit / Meta Analyst – 1

Subtotal: 14

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 IX. Online, Live Ops & Community (10)

49. Live Ops Engineers – 2

50. Telemetry Engineers – 2

51. Anti-Cheat Engineers – 2

52. Community Manager (boxing-savvy) – 1

53. Competitive Integrity Manager – 1

54. Patch & Balance Designers – 2

Subtotal: 10

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 X. Tools, Pipeline & Infrastructure (10)

55. Tools Director – 1

56. Engine Tools Programmers – 4

57. Build / CI Engineers – 2

58. Mocap Pipeline Engineer – 1

59. Data Pipeline Engineer – 2

Subtotal: 10

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 TOTAL ULTIMATE TEAM SIZE

130–140 people

This is not bloat.
This is what it takes to make boxing:

• Think

• React

• Break down

• Adapt

• Feel dangerous

• Feel earned

An epic boxing game is:

• AI-heavy, not animation-only

• Simulation-driven, not stat-driven

• Boxer behavior first, graphics second

• Built like a combat sport simulator, not a fighting game

A clear mapping of how the ultimate staff supports online play, competitive integrity, and a serious fan base, plus what would happen if those roles were missing.

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I. Online Play Is Treated as a First-Class System (Not a Feature)

Dedicated Online & Competitive Roles (Already Included)

Network Engineer(s)

• Low-latency input handling

• Deterministic hit resolution

• Rollback / hybrid netcode

• Desync prevention for punch timing

Live Ops Engineers

• Server-side tuning

• Hotfixes without full patches

• Seasonal rule adjustments

Anti-Cheat Engineers

• Input spoofing detection

• Timing manipulation detection

• Animation cancel abuse prevention

Telemetry Engineers

• Collect punch data, stamina usage, win conditions

• Detect meta abuse and exploit loops

Competitive Integrity Manager

• Oversees fairness, rulesets, ranked formats

• Handles exploits, bans, and edge cases

 This means online boxing is designed, not patched in later.

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II. Competitive Fan Base Is Supported by Design, Not Marketing

Systems That Competitive Players Expect

Deterministic Combat Logic

• Same punch outcome offline vs online

• No RNG masking skill gaps

Skill-Based Outcomes

• Timing, distance, stamina, positioning

• No stat inflation to protect casuals

Replay & Fight Analysis Tools

• Punch accuracy

• Stamina curves

• Damage mapping

• Judge scoring breakdowns

Meta Monitoring

• Telemetry + balance analysts watch:

  • Punch spam

  • Defensive exploits

  • Overpowered styles

  • Network-abused tactics

 Competitive players trust the game because it explains outcomes.

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III. Ranked, Casual, and Simulation Players Are Separated Properly

Multiple Online Rule Sets (Staffed to Support Them)

Ranked / Competitive

• Tight stamina rules

• Reduced assist systems

• Strict judging

• No exaggerated damage

Casual / Pickup

• Slight forgiveness

• More dramatic KOs

• Faster pacing

Simulation / League Play

• Real judging variance

• Full fatigue modeling

• Corner advice matters

• Career logic mirrored online

These modes require:

• Balance designers

• Ruleset engineers

• Live ops tuning

 The staff list supports all three without compromising any.

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IV. Competitive Longevity Is Built In

Why This Team Prevents “Dead Meta”

Procedural AI + Telemetry

• AI adapts to dominant online strategies

• Helps identify exploits before players do

Seasonal Balance Philosophy

• Small, explainable changes

• Transparent patch notes

• Boxing logic behind every tweak

Community Manager (Boxing-Savvy)

• Translates dev intent to fans

• Keeps boxing discourse informed

• Prevents “devs don’t understand boxing” narratives

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V. What Happens Without This (Why It Matters)

Without these roles:

• Online becomes spammy

• Meta collapses into 2–3 exploits

• Casual and competitive players fight each other

• Fans stop trusting outcomes

• Boxing people leave first

That’s why online and competitive aren’t a department — they’re a pillar.

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The staff list fully accounts for:

• Online play

• Ranked competition

• Esports-adjacent communities

• Simulation leagues

• Long-term meta health

More importantly:

It treats boxing fans like intelligent participants, not customers to be distracted.