Undisputed: A Boxing Game Sold Under the Disguise of Realism
When Undisputed was first announced under its original title, eSports Boxing Club (ESBC), it promised boxing fans something they had been craving for over a decade: a truly realistic boxing simulation. The game was marketed as a deep, strategic boxing experience that would prioritize realism, simulation mechanics, and the demands of true boxing enthusiasts. However, as time has passed and development has progressed, it has become evident that Undisputed has shifted away from the very vision that once made it so appealing.
The Early Promises: A Realistic Boxing Fan's Dream
When ESBC first entered the public eye, it was clear that the developers, Steel City Interactive (SCI), were aiming for an authentic boxing simulation rather than an arcade-style experience. Early footage showcased detailed footwork, realistic defensive mechanics, and a level of strategic depth that excited hardcore boxing fans and sim sports gamers alike.
The game's original build featured promising elements, such as:
- A diverse range of punch animations with different trajectories, arcs, and angles.
- The importance of foot positioning, lateral movement, and ring control.
- Unique defensive styles, including Philly shell, cross-guard, and peek-a-boo, rather than just a generic high-block stance.
- Height, reach, and weight advantages that mattered in gameplay.
- Boxers fighting according to their real-life styles and tendencies.
These were features that true boxing enthusiasts demanded for years, and ESBC seemed poised to deliver them. However, as development progressed and the game rebranded to Undisputed, many of these aspects began to disappear, get watered down, or be adjusted to appeal to a broader audience.
The Shift Away from Realism
While Undisputed is still marketed as a realistic boxing game, it has become evident that the developers have altered their direction, prioritizing accessibility over the hardcore simulation fans who supported the project from the start.
Several key issues highlight this shift:
1. Footwork Mechanics Downgraded
Initially, Undisputed showcased a footwork system that replicated real-life movement, where boxers could pivot, bounce, and move in ways that mirrored real boxing. However, the current build lacks the smoothness and natural flow seen in earlier iterations. The movement now feels less dynamic, and some boxers have unrealistic levels of mobility that break immersion.
2. Limited Defensive Options
Gone are the multiple block styles and defensive nuances that were originally suggested. Instead, Undisputed has simplified its defensive mechanics, making blocking and slipping feel less like a skill and more like a basic function. True simulation fans expected a game where defense was just as important as offense, but instead, the game leans heavily toward an offensive playstyle with minimal risk.
3. Arcade-Like Punching Mechanics
Early on, Undisputed showcased varied punching animations that accounted for angles, positioning, and balance. However, as development progressed, the mechanics became more uniform and less reflective of real boxing techniques. The weight and impact of punches feel inconsistent, with certain unrealistic combinations being possible, diminishing the need for tactical setups and timing.
4. Boxer Styles and Tendencies Are Not Respected
A critical aspect of realism is ensuring that real-life boxers fight like themselves. However, Undisputed does not always stay true to this philosophy. Certain boxers who are counterpunchers in real life can become reckless brawlers, while some pressure fighters fight in a more passive manner. This inconsistency breaks immersion for players who want their favorite fighters to behave as they do in reality.
5. Unrealistic Stamina and Endurance System
A real boxing simulation should make stamina and endurance key factors in fights. Instead, Undisputed allows for high-volume punching without significant fatigue, encouraging an arcade-like approach rather than measured, tactical boxing. This contradicts the realism promised in the game's initial vision.
The Reality: A Game That Lost Its Identity
At its core, Undisputed was supposed to be the game that boxing fans had been waiting for, one that would bring realism to the forefront and offer a true-to-life boxing experience. However, as more updates and patches have been released, the game continues to drift further from its original promise.
Steel City Interactive now seems to be balancing between appealing to sim boxing fans and catering to casual gamers, but in doing so, they risk alienating the very audience that supported them from the beginning. The reality is that Undisputed is no longer the hardcore boxing simulation that was initially promised—it is now a game caught in an identity crisis, pretending to be a sim while incorporating arcade elements that contradict its foundation.
What Could Have Been?
The earlier ESBC builds showed that a true boxing simulation was possible. With the right approach, Undisputed could have been the gold standard of boxing games, providing depth, realism, and strategic gameplay that rewarded knowledge of the sport rather than button-mashing.
If SCI had stuck to their original vision, they could have created a game that:
✅ Respected boxing science and real-world mechanics.
✅ Featured a deeper defensive system that allowed for nuanced blocking, parrying, and counters.
✅ Made footwork a core gameplay mechanic that separated skilled players from casuals.
✅ Allowed boxers to fight according to their real-life styles and tendencies without compromise.
✅ Included realistic stamina and damage systems to prevent arcade-style spamming.
Unfortunately, it seems that instead of delivering the realistic boxing game that hardcore fans wanted, Undisputed has chosen a middle ground that lacks depth for sim players and lacks the flashiness for casual players.
Final Thoughts: A Missed Opportunity?
The boxing gaming community had high hopes for Undisputed, believing that it would be the game that finally broke the cycle of arcade-focused boxing titles. Instead, it has fallen into the same trap as past games, diluting realism to cater to a wider audience.
Boxing fans deserved a game that put realism first, but instead, they got a game that was sold under the disguise of realism—only to shift toward accessibility and mass appeal. Unless major changes are made, Undisputed risks being yet another boxing title that fails to deliver what true fight fans have been waiting for.
