Tuesday, April 1, 2025

We Want Undisputed to Be the Best—But Not by Ignoring Its Flaws

**We Want Undisputed to Be the Best—But Not by Ignoring Its Flaws**

The boxing video game community is one of the most passionate and loyal fanbases in sports gaming. For years, we’ve stood in the shadows while other sports franchises received annual updates, evolving features, and growing rosters. Meanwhile, boxing fans have waited. We've waited through an entire generation of consoles. We've waited through silence, rumors, false starts, and vaporware promises.

So when Undisputed was announced, many of us were filled with cautious optimism. When gameplay was shown, that optimism turned to excitement. And when early access arrived, we showed up, hoping this was the start of something special.

And make no mistake: Undisputed has done things that no boxing game before it has. It introduced a large roster of licensed fighters, integrated a cleaner visual style, and emphasized presentation. It attempted a sim-style approach and made boxing feel like boxing—at least in intention.

But intentions aren’t enough.

Blind Loyalty Helps No One

Wanting Undisputed to succeed doesn’t mean we should remain silent about its flaws. In fact, silence is one of the greatest threats to progress. A strong community doesn’t just celebrate wins—it demands growth. It holds creators accountable. It expects vision to be matched with execution.

If we care about Undisputed, we must speak up when the mechanics feel off, when updates dilute realism, when gameplay leans toward arcade appeal at the cost of authentic strategy. We can’t allow bugs, balance issues, or underdeveloped features to be hand-waved as minor if they disrupt the heart of the experience.

When feedback is dismissed as “complaining” or “being negative,” we lose the opportunity to build a better game. Constructive criticism is not hate—it’s hope. It means we care enough to push for more.

What the Community Wants

Boxing fans aren’t asking for miracles. We’re asking for a deep, grounded, respectful simulation of a sport built on tactics, heart, and skill. We’re asking for:

Realistic gameplay mechanics that reward boxing IQ, not button mashing.
Weight class depth and accuracy, with full divisions, not just a handful of marquee names.
Boxer tendencies and AI behavior that reflect real-world styles.
Meaningful career and legacy modes, where player choices matter and progression feels earned.
A creation suite robust enough to build full boxing universes, especially since licensing will always have limits.
Mechanics that respect the sweet science, from stamina and footwork to clinching and punch variation.

We’ve put our ideas out there. Some of us have written wishlists, shared designs, even started building prototypes and concept projects. Because we’re not just fans—we’re invested architects of this sport’s digital future.

Accountability Isn't Negativity

Let’s be clear: nobody wants the developers to fail. We know game development is difficult. We understand early access is a process. And yes, Undisputed has made progress in some areas. But progress doesn’t mean we ignore regression.

The community has real concerns—about design decisions, updates that seem to cater to online brawling over strategic play, and a lack of consistent direction in core mechanics. When the game edges away from realism, when visual polish gets prioritized over fundamental gameplay, we have a right to question it.

This isn’t negativity. It’s care. The loudest critics are often those who believe most in the potential of a product. And if Undisputed didn’t have potential, many of us wouldn’t even still be here.

The Goal Is Greatness, Not Just "Good Enough"

“Good enough” isn’t the finish line. We’ve waited too long for the return of a true boxing sim to settle for mediocrity. We want Undisputed to be the standard-bearer for the genre. We want it to rival the depth of Fight Night Champion, the legacy of Fight Night Round 3, and the strategic richness of the real sport itself.

That means aiming high—even if it’s hard.

A game that leans into realism, that treats boxing with the respect it deserves, will have a lasting legacy. It won’t just draw in hardcore fans—it’ll earn the respect of casual players, sports enthusiasts, and the very boxers it aims to represent.

Closing Thoughts

Wanting Undisputed to be the best boxing game of all time doesn’t mean ignoring its flaws. It means confronting them, discussing them, and pushing for solutions. We aren’t haters—we’re hopeful. We aren’t enemies—we’re early adopters who want to see this project thrive.

Let’s build a future where Undisputed is more than a game—it’s the platform that redefines boxing in digital form. But that can only happen if we’re honest, passionate, and unafraid to demand better.

We Want Undisputed to Be the Best—But Not by Ignoring Its Flaws

**We Want Undisputed to Be the Best—But Not by Ignoring Its Flaws**

But intentions aren’t enough.

Blind Loyalty Helps No One

What the Community Wants

Boxing fans aren’t asking for miracles. We’re asking for a deep, grounded, respectful simulation of a sport built on tactics, heart, and skill. We’re asking for:

Realistic gameplay mechanics that reward boxing IQ, not button mashing.
Weight class depth and accuracy, with full divisions, not just a handful of marquee names.
Boxer tendencies and AI behavior that reflect real-world styles.
Meaningful career and legacy modes, where player choices matter and progression feels earned.
A creation suite robust enough to build full boxing universes, especially since licensing will always have limits.
Mechanics that respect the sweet science, from stamina and footwork to clinching and punch variation.

Accountability Isn't Negativity

The Goal Is Greatness, Not Just "Good Enough"

That means aiming high—even if it’s hard.

Closing Thoughts

We Want Undisputed to Be the Best—But Not by Ignoring Its Flaws

**We Want Undisputed to Be the Best—But Not by Ignoring Its Flaws**

But intentions aren’t enough.

Blind Loyalty Helps No One

What the Community Wants

Boxing fans aren’t asking for miracles. We’re asking for a deep, grounded, respectful simulation of a sport built on tactics, heart, and skill. We’re asking for:

Realistic gameplay mechanics that reward boxing IQ, not button mashing.
Weight class depth and accuracy, with full divisions, not just a handful of marquee names.
Boxer tendencies and AI behavior that reflect real-world styles.
Meaningful career and legacy modes, where player choices matter and progression feels earned.
A creation suite robust enough to build full boxing universes, especially since licensing will always have limits.
Mechanics that respect the sweet science, from stamina and footwork to clinching and punch variation.

Accountability Isn't Negativity

The Goal Is Greatness, Not Just "Good Enough"

That means aiming high—even if it’s hard.

Closing Thoughts

The Intentional Deception of Realism in Boxing Video Games

The Intentional Deception of Realism in Boxing Video Games

Introduction

In the realm of sports gaming, "realism" isn't just a buzzword—it's a promise. It's the line drawn between simulation and arcade, between authenticity and fantasy. But what happens when that promise is used as a bait-and-switch tactic? What happens when a team lacking boxing knowledge sells the idea of realism to build hype, only to retreat when accountability is due?

Welcome to the ongoing saga surrounding Undisputed—a game that once touted itself as a groundbreaking, realistic boxing simulation but now seems to be rewriting history.

The Deceptive Wording Game

From the early days of its development under the name ESBC (eSports Boxing Club), Undisputed marketed itself as the long-awaited savior of boxing simulation games. Promotional videos, social media posts, and even interviews with Ash Habib—the game's founder—were laced with promises of realism, authenticity, and simulation gameplay. Fans were led to believe they were finally getting a boxing title that treated the sport with the same depth and care as Fight Night Champion once did, or what NFL 2K5 was to football.

But now, the tone has changed.

Instead of standing on the claim of realism, the developers are backpedaling. They're making vague statements like "we never said it was a sim," conveniently omitting the mountain of documented evidence proving otherwise. This shift in messaging isn't just disappointing—it’s deceptive.

Casuals at the Helm

At the heart of the issue is a development team that seems to lack real boxing knowledge. There’s a difference between loving boxing and understanding it. Too often in gaming, developers think that simply watching a few big fights or knowing who Muhammad Ali is qualifies them to replicate the intricacies of the sport. But boxing is layered—styles, footwork, timing, stances, strategy, conditioning, punch resistance, psychology. Without that deep understanding, any attempt at authenticity becomes surface-level, at best.

And it shows.

Animations look robotic. Punches lack proper arc and impact. Boxers fight nothing like their real-life counterparts. The gameplay favors mindless exchanges over technical control. Worse yet, many of the features real boxing fans hoped for—stamina systems, realistic footwork, proper physics, strategic pacing—are either watered down or absent entirely.

Targeting the Uninformed

This bait-and-switch works on one type of consumer: the casual or desperate combat sports fan. And the developers know this. They're aware that boxing fans have been starved of quality content for over a decade. They know people are eager to support anything that resembles a boxing game. So they target their marketing toward those less familiar with what makes boxing boxing.

They’ll say things like “We’ve got over 50 licensed boxers,” or “Our career mode is deep,” to mask the shortcomings in gameplay realism. They’ll show slow-motion replays of punches that look good visually, but never show extended, uncut gameplay against a high-level CPU opponent. And when criticism arises? The narrative shifts. Suddenly, Undisputed was never meant to be a sim.

The Paper Trail

Unfortunately for the devs, the internet doesn’t forget.

There are interviews, tweets, blog posts, and early videos where Ash Habib explicitly said the goal was to make a realistic boxing simulation. Fans didn't imagine that. They were told that. It was the foundation of their excitement. So when that foundation is pulled out from under them, it's not just a broken promise—it's an insult.

Pretending those statements never happened is not only dishonest, it's damaging to the trust between creators and community.

A Missed Opportunity

What’s most frustrating is the potential. With today’s technology, motion analysis tools, community-driven insight, and the massive support from hardcore boxing fans, a true sim boxing game is more achievable than ever. But to reach that level, developers must be willing to listen to those who live and breathe boxing—not dismiss them in favor of influencers or surface-level ideas.

Conclusion

The deception surrounding Undisputed isn’t just about a single game—it’s about the broader trend of studios weaponizing the language of realism without the follow-through. It's about exploiting a niche fanbase that has waited too long for a proper boxing sim, only to be sold a mirage.

If realism was never the intent, say that from the start. But if it was, then don’t run from accountability when it becomes inconvenient.

Because fans deserve better.

And real boxing deserves much better.

The Intentional Deception of Realism in Boxing Video Games

The Intentional Deception of Realism in Boxing Video Games

Introduction

Welcome to the ongoing saga surrounding Undisputed—a game that once touted itself as a groundbreaking, realistic boxing simulation but now seems to be rewriting history.

The Deceptive Wording Game

But now, the tone has changed.

Casuals at the Helm

And it shows.

Targeting the Uninformed

The Paper Trail

Unfortunately for the devs, the internet doesn’t forget.

Pretending those statements never happened is not only dishonest, it's damaging to the trust between creators and community.

A Missed Opportunity

Conclusion

If realism was never the intent, say that from the start. But if it was, then don’t run from accountability when it becomes inconvenient.

Because fans deserve better.

And real boxing deserves much better.

The Intentional Deception of Realism in Boxing Video Games

The Intentional Deception of Realism in Boxing Video Games

Introduction

Welcome to the ongoing saga surrounding Undisputed—a game that once touted itself as a groundbreaking, realistic boxing simulation but now seems to be rewriting history.

The Deceptive Wording Game

But now, the tone has changed.

Casuals at the Helm

And it shows.

Targeting the Uninformed

The Paper Trail

Unfortunately for the devs, the internet doesn’t forget.

Pretending those statements never happened is not only dishonest, it's damaging to the trust between creators and community.

A Missed Opportunity

Conclusion

If realism was never the intent, say that from the start. But if it was, then don’t run from accountability when it becomes inconvenient.

Because fans deserve better.

And real boxing deserves much better.

The Great Simulation Lie: How Undisputed Sold Fans on Realism Then Backtracked

The Great Simulation Lie: How Undisputed Sold Fans on Realism Then Backtracked

Part 1: Selling the Dream – The Birth of a Sim Boxing Hope

Boxing fans were starved. The last true boxing simulation, Fight Night Champion, had come and gone over a decade ago. The genre was barren, with only arcade brawlers and uninspired mobile games in its place. Then came a glimmer of hope: a new title called eSports Boxing Club (later rebranded as Undisputed) emerged with the bold claim of being a realistic, simulation-style boxing game.

Ash Habib, founder and face of the development studio Steel City Interactive, appeared in interviews and dev logs repeating the mantra of "authenticity," "simulation," and "real boxing experience." Trailers were released with slow-motion punch animations, realistic stances, and detailed character models of legendary boxers. Social media lit up. Hardcore boxing fans finally felt heard. The game was marketed as if it were built for them.

Everything pointed to a studio willing to dig deep, to go beyond aesthetics and replicate the sweet science at its core. They even mentioned plans to collaborate with real boxers. The language was clear: Undisputed was going to be a SIMULATION.

Part 2: Casuals in Control – How a Lack of Boxing Knowledge Diluted the Vision

But behind the curtain, the truth was much different. Despite their messaging, it became evident that Steel City Interactive's development team lacked the kind of boxing IQ needed to produce an authentic simulation. While they may have admired the sport, they didn’t understand its intricacies.

Boxing isn’t just about punches and movement—it's about ring generalship, foot placement, punch timing, balance, defense transitions, fatigue management, and countless other nuances. None of that translated into the gameplay. Boxers in Undisputed moved stiffly, with generic styles. Punches lacked proper trajectory or reactive physics. Defensive styles were limited. AI was clueless. Real boxers didn’t fight like their real-life selves.

Without proper boxing consultants or guidance from experts in sim sports game design, the team was simply out of their depth. The vision was eroding, and yet the marketing machine rolled on.

Part 3: Manipulating the Message – Deceptive Language and Marketing Spin

As criticism grew, Undisputed’s messaging began to subtly shift. Instead of standing firmly on the original promise of a sim, they began using phrases like "authentic experience" or "the most fun boxing game." Key interviews avoided the word simulation. The phrase "we never said it was a sim" began surfacing.

This linguistic backpedal was intentional. The marketing now catered to the uninformed fan or the casual gamer who just wanted to punch things in a ring. Developers leaned into showcasing boxer models and presentation while avoiding deeper gameplay breakdowns. Influencers were chosen not for boxing knowledge, but for their ability to market.

What was once a promise to recreate boxing now looked like an attempt to sell combat sports cosplay with a boxing skin.

Part 4: Receipts Don't Lie – Undisputed’s Documented Promises of Realism

Despite the current spin, the documentation is irrefutable. Ash Habib did claim the game was a simulation.

Numerous early dev logs, social media posts, and interviews contain direct quotes such as:

"Our goal is to create the most realistic boxing simulation ever made."
"This is not an arcade fighter."
"We want boxing fans to feel like they’re watching a real match."

Archived YouTube videos, screenshots, and old Steam posts all highlight the sim-first messaging. The shift didn’t come until pushback and delays forced the team to change direction—not out of transparency, but out of convenience.

Erasing that history is not only dishonest, it’s a calculated deception to protect the brand.

Part 5: Why It Matters – The Consequences of Misleading the Boxing Gaming Community

When a studio promises realism and then pivots without accountability, it damages more than just their game—it fractures trust across the entire sports gaming community.

Boxing fans were willing to support Undisputed precisely because of its promise. Influencers, YouTubers, and everyday players championed it with high expectations. The betrayal of those expectations leaves a bitter taste. It discourages fans from believing future projects. It sends the message that marketing spin is more important than honest game development.

The broader gaming industry suffers when realism is used as a bait-and-switch tactic. It dilutes the meaning of "simulation" in the genre.

Part 6: The Way Forward – How to Truly Build a Realistic Boxing Game

All is not lost. There is still room in the market—and hunger in the fanbase—for a true sim boxing game. But it starts with honesty, accountability, and expertise.

To do it right:

Involve boxing historians, trainers, and fighters.
Incorporate gameplay systems that reflect real tactics, stamina, defense, and punch variety.
Allow community modding and realism customization.
Create a system that punishes arcade behavior and rewards true boxing IQ.
Focus on AI tendencies, match pacing, footwork realism, and referee/judging authenticity.

And most importantly: don’t sell realism unless you're prepared to deliver it.

Because boxing is more than just a fight. It’s a science, a story, and a legacy. And it deserves to be respected.

The Great Simulation Lie: How Undisputed Sold Fans on Realism Then Backtracked

The Great Simulation Lie: How Undisputed Sold Fans on Realism Then Backtracked

Part 1: Selling the Dream – The Birth of a Sim Boxing Hope

Part 2: Casuals in Control – How a Lack of Boxing Knowledge Diluted the Vision

Without proper boxing consultants or guidance from experts in sim sports game design, the team was simply out of their depth. The vision was eroding, and yet the marketing machine rolled on.

Part 3: Manipulating the Message – Deceptive Language and Marketing Spin

What was once a promise to recreate boxing now looked like an attempt to sell combat sports cosplay with a boxing skin.

Part 4: Receipts Don't Lie – Undisputed’s Documented Promises of Realism

Despite the current spin, the documentation is irrefutable. Ash Habib did claim the game was a simulation.

Numerous early dev logs, social media posts, and interviews contain direct quotes such as:

"Our goal is to create the most realistic boxing simulation ever made."
"This is not an arcade fighter."
"We want boxing fans to feel like they’re watching a real match."

Erasing that history is not only dishonest, it’s a calculated deception to protect the brand.

Part 5: Why It Matters – The Consequences of Misleading the Boxing Gaming Community

When a studio promises realism and then pivots without accountability, it damages more than just their game—it fractures trust across the entire sports gaming community.

The broader gaming industry suffers when realism is used as a bait-and-switch tactic. It dilutes the meaning of "simulation" in the genre.

Part 6: The Way Forward – How to Truly Build a Realistic Boxing Game

All is not lost. There is still room in the market—and hunger in the fanbase—for a true sim boxing game. But it starts with honesty, accountability, and expertise.

To do it right:

Involve boxing historians, trainers, and fighters.
Incorporate gameplay systems that reflect real tactics, stamina, defense, and punch variety.
Allow community modding and realism customization.
Create a system that punishes arcade behavior and rewards true boxing IQ.
Focus on AI tendencies, match pacing, footwork realism, and referee/judging authenticity.

And most importantly: don’t sell realism unless you're prepared to deliver it.

Because boxing is more than just a fight. It’s a science, a story, and a legacy. And it deserves to be respected.

The Great Simulation Lie: How Undisputed Sold Fans on Realism Then Backtracked

The Great Simulation Lie: How Undisputed Sold Fans on Realism Then Backtracked

Part 1: Selling the Dream – The Birth of a Sim Boxing Hope

Part 2: Casuals in Control – How a Lack of Boxing Knowledge Diluted the Vision

Without proper boxing consultants or guidance from experts in sim sports game design, the team was simply out of their depth. The vision was eroding, and yet the marketing machine rolled on.

Part 3: Manipulating the Message – Deceptive Language and Marketing Spin

What was once a promise to recreate boxing now looked like an attempt to sell combat sports cosplay with a boxing skin.

Part 4: Receipts Don't Lie – Undisputed’s Documented Promises of Realism

Despite the current spin, the documentation is irrefutable. Ash Habib did claim the game was a simulation.

Numerous early dev logs, social media posts, and interviews contain direct quotes such as:

"Our goal is to create the most realistic boxing simulation ever made."
"This is not an arcade fighter."
"We want boxing fans to feel like they’re watching a real match."

Erasing that history is not only dishonest, it’s a calculated deception to protect the brand.

Part 5: Why It Matters – The Consequences of Misleading the Boxing Gaming Community

When a studio promises realism and then pivots without accountability, it damages more than just their game—it fractures trust across the entire sports gaming community.

The broader gaming industry suffers when realism is used as a bait-and-switch tactic. It dilutes the meaning of "simulation" in the genre.

Part 6: The Way Forward – How to Truly Build a Realistic Boxing Game

All is not lost. There is still room in the market—and hunger in the fanbase—for a true sim boxing game. But it starts with honesty, accountability, and expertise.

To do it right:

Involve boxing historians, trainers, and fighters.
Incorporate gameplay systems that reflect real tactics, stamina, defense, and punch variety.
Allow community modding and realism customization.
Create a system that punishes arcade behavior and rewards true boxing IQ.
Focus on AI tendencies, match pacing, footwork realism, and referee/judging authenticity.

And most importantly: don’t sell realism unless you're prepared to deliver it.

Because boxing is more than just a fight. It’s a science, a story, and a legacy. And it deserves to be respected.

Forgotten Voice: How the Boxing Gaming Community Turned Its Back on One of Its Earliest Advocates

Posted by Poe | 4/1/2025

🥊 The Irony in the Ring

In a digital space constantly asking for more realism, authenticity, and innovation in boxing video games, it's strange how one of the earliest advocates of that very vision is now largely ignored. Poe—known to many longtime fans as Poeticdrink2u—isn't just some nostalgic voice from the past. He's been one of the most vocal, consistent, and passionate figures in the boxing gaming space since day one.

He’s not just an internet personality. Poe was a Senior Moderator and Community Leader for EA’s Fight Night series, a decorated amateur, and a professional boxer. Despite that deep resume, today’s community barely acknowledges him. That silence is telling—and sad.

🔍 The Blueprint Before the Blueprint

Before “realistic boxing video game” became a buzz phrase, Poe was campaigning for a better direction. He organized fans, challenged devs, and helped mold early community hubs. His vision was clear: boxing games should represent the sweet science—not just swing-for-the-fence arcade mechanics.

He didn’t do it for clout. He did it because he lived the sport. While others were talking about realism, Poe was demonstrating it—both in real-life bouts and in game mechanics breakdowns. He translated years of gym experience into digital gameplay critique, hoping studios would take notes.

🕹️ Passion Has No Expiration Date

Some now mock Poe with terms like “OG” or “old head”—as if being an adult disqualifies you from gaming or having ideas. It’s a weird stance in a hobby that spans generations.

This isn’t a case of someone stuck in the past. Poe spends money like any other gamer. He experiments, engages, and pushes for progressive realism. Why? Because he believes fans deserve more than reskinned rosters and shallow mechanics. He doesn’t want to go backwards—he wants games to grow with the sport.

🌐 Two Sites. One Mission. Zero Recognition.

While some fans tweet complaints or recycle ideas, Poe created two entire websites dedicated to realism in boxing gaming. These sites host deep systems, full career concepts, gameplay mechanics, and more—years ahead of what developers are just starting to attempt.

Many influencers and fans now praise features that Poe suggested ages ago. Yet they rarely credit the source. It’s like watching someone build a house from your blueprint while pretending they drew it from scratch.

🤐 When Silence Speaks Louder Than Support

Here’s the most frustrating part: some people who used to campaign alongside Poe are now silent. They’ve gained platforms, access, even developer connections—but when asked about community input, they don’t say his name.

Why? Ego? Politics? Fear of association? Whatever the reason, it’s a shame. Poe never stopped supporting the movement. The movement stopped supporting him.

If you’re in a position to shine a light and you choose not to—you’re helping erase someone who helped create the space you now stand in.

🥇 He’s Been in Our Corner—Why Aren’t We in His?

Boxing teaches respect—for the craft, for the corner, and for the journey. Poe has been in the community’s corner for over a decade, offering strategy, ideas, and belief. He’s not asking for a statue. He’s just asking to be heard—and credited—for his work.

Ignoring someone like Poe isn’t just a loss for one man. It’s a loss for the sport, the genre, and every player who actually wants a boxing game that respects what boxing really is.

🔁 Final Thoughts

You don’t age out of gaming.

You don’t age out of creativity.

And no one should be treated like a relic for standing firm on realism, passion, and truth.

If the boxing gaming community truly wants to grow, evolve, and gain the respect of the wider sports world, it needs to start by recognizing its own champions—especially the ones who’ve been fighting for us long before the spotlight showed up.

If you’ve ever benefitted from the idea of a better boxing game, you owe Poe at least your attention—and probably your thanks.

Forgotten Voice: How the Boxing Gaming Community Turned Its Back on One of Its Earliest Advocates

Posted by Poe | 4/1/2025

🥊 The Irony in the Ring

🔍 The Blueprint Before the Blueprint

🕹️ Passion Has No Expiration Date

Some now mock Poe with terms like “OG” or “old head”—as if being an adult disqualifies you from gaming or having ideas. It’s a weird stance in a hobby that spans generations.

🌐 Two Sites. One Mission. Zero Recognition.

🤐 When Silence Speaks Louder Than Support

Why? Ego? Politics? Fear of association? Whatever the reason, it’s a shame. Poe never stopped supporting the movement. The movement stopped supporting him.

If you’re in a position to shine a light and you choose not to—you’re helping erase someone who helped create the space you now stand in.

🥇 He’s Been in Our Corner—Why Aren’t We in His?

Ignoring someone like Poe isn’t just a loss for one man. It’s a loss for the sport, the genre, and every player who actually wants a boxing game that respects what boxing really is.

🔁 Final Thoughts

You don’t age out of gaming.

You don’t age out of creativity.

And no one should be treated like a relic for standing firm on realism, passion, and truth.

If you’ve ever benefitted from the idea of a better boxing game, you owe Poe at least your attention—and probably your thanks.