The Importance of Options in a Boxing Videogame

The Importance of Options in a Boxing Videogame

Why They Benefit Every Player, Why They Are Not Difficult to Implement,
and Why SCI’s Excuses Do Not Hold Up Under Investigation

For years, Steel City Interactive has repeated the same line whenever realism, depth, or optional gameplay settings are requested for Undisputed:
They “don’t want to push casual players away.”

At face value, this sounds like a considerate design philosophy.
Under scrutiny, it collapses.

Sports games thrive because they offer choices.
Boxing fans, hardcore players, and even newcomers benefit from adjustable realism and gameplay flexibility.
Yet SCI continues to frame depth as a threat, complexity as dangerous, and options as something to avoid.

The truth is simple:
Options are not difficult to implement, and modern AI tools make them even easier.
The refusal to add them reveals more about the studio’s limitations and philosophy than any technical barrier.

This is the investigative breakdown of why options matter, why they strengthen the entire player base, and why claiming they are “too much work” is misleading.

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1. Options Are the Foundation of Every Successful Sports Game

Every major sports title uses options to serve multiple audiences at once:

• NBA 2K offers casual, competitive, simulation, MyNBA, and full realism sliders.

• Madden separates arcade, simulation, and competitive modes.

• EA FC offers assisted, semi-assisted, and manual layouts alongside realism toggles.

• MLB The Show includes beginner modes, complex modes, and vast customization for purists.

No studio says, “We can’t add options because casuals will be confused.”

They understand that choice is what allows different audiences to coexist peacefully.

Options are not a threat to accessibility.
Options create accessibility.
They allow casuals to play comfortably, give hardcore players real depth, and let newcomers grow over time.

Undisputed is one of the only modern sports titles that intentionally limits player agency.

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2. Undisputed’s Design Philosophy Is Built on Fear, Not Ambition

SCI hides behind phrases like:

• “We don’t want styles to be overpowered.”

• “We don’t want casuals pushed out.”

• “We need to keep things balanced.”

• “Too many options could confuse players.”

This framing reveals a deeper issue:
the studio is afraid to expose the limitations of their systems.

Because if they exposed stamina sliders, players would notice the stamina model is inaccurate.
If they exposed damage sliders, players would see the hit effect logic is inconsistent.
If they added style fidelity toggles, players would realize the styles are flat and interchangeable.

Options shine a light on flaws.

That is the real reason SCI avoids them.

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3. Most Gameplay Options Are Simple Variables, Not Massive Engineering Tasks

When players ask for:

• Realistic stamina

• Authentic damage

• Style-based footwork

• Tendency adjustments

• Ring physics

• Accuracy sliders

• Knockdown severity

• Defensive responsibility settings

They’re not asking for new subsystems.

They are asking to modify existing values that already run behind the scenes.

These values are:

• Percentages

• Multipliers

• Thresholds

• Timing windows

• Boolean toggles

A “Pro Mode” only requires turning certain values up.
A “Casual Mode” only requires turning certain values down.
A “Hybrid Mode” is simply a curated midpoint.

This is not a technical obstacle.
It is standard game development.

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4. Casual Players Benefit From Options as Much as Hardcore Fans

SCI claims depth could “scare” newcomers, but research from the entire sports genre shows the opposite.

Casual players stay longer when they have:

• Slower-paced modes

• Forgiving stamina

• Faster recovery

• Higher accuracy

• Assisted defensive tools

• Pre-configured presets

Options create comfort.

When you deny options, newcomers become frustrated because:

• They cannot adjust difficulty to their level.

• They cannot reduce realism when it overwhelms them.

• They cannot increase assists to learn the sport.

• They cannot slow down gameplay speed while learning controls.

You do not protect casual players by limiting choice.
You protect them by giving them control.

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5. Boxing Fans and Hardcore Players Need Options for Authenticity

A boxing game without adjustable realism cannot portray the sport accurately.

Hardcore players want:

• Real consequences for mistakes

• Body-stamina interactions

• Style matchups that matter

• Proper defensive layers

• Ring generalship

• Accurate pacing

• Damage modeling

• Realistic punch physics

• Psychological tendencies

• Adaptive AI

You cannot satisfy these needs with a single locked difficulty or a single “one-size-fits-all” gameplay setting.

Boxing is built on nuance.
Options allow the sport’s nuance to come alive.

Without them, every boxer becomes the same boxer wearing different skins.

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6. AI Makes Implementing Options Faster, More Accurate, and Cheaper

In 2025, AI is transforming how sports games can be developed.
The idea that adding options is “too difficult” is outdated.

AI can:

• Auto-generate tendency sliders

• Calculate balancing weights

• Simulate thousands of matches

• Stress-test gameplay values

• Detect exploitable patterns

• Suggest ideal slider ranges

• Create code snippets for new options

• Build UI elements

• Integrate complex data structures

What used to take weeks can be done in hours.

Adding:

• A stamina slider

• A damage multiplier

• An accuracy curve

• A defensive responsibility range

• A style fidelity toggle

…can now be implemented in minutes with AI assistance.

If indie developers can build complex simulators solo, a funded studio with a team should not be struggling.

The difficulty excuse cannot survive the era of AI-assisted development.

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7. Why SCI Really Avoids Options: They Expose System Weaknesses

The honest explanation:

Options would reveal that Undisputed lacks real boxing systems beneath the surface.

If a “realistic stamina mode” is added, players will immediately see the stamina model isn’t built for realism.

If a “hard damage mode” is added, players will see that punch physics and damage mapping are incomplete.

If a “style fidelity mode” is added, players will see the game does not contain authentic, differentiated styles.

If AI tendencies are exposed, players will see the AI is shallow and predictable.

Options don’t break a game.
Options expose what’s already broken.

That is the real reason SCI resists them.

Not difficulty.
Not resources.
Not “protecting casuals.”
But fear of being judged by boxing fans.

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8. Options Extend a Game’s Life and Strengthen the Entire Community

Every sports game that survived longer than two years has one thing in common:

They allowed players to tailor the experience.

This leads to:

• Higher retention

• More community-driven content

• More replay value

• More longevity

• Better balancing

• Less frustration

• More engagement from new players

• More commitment from hardcore players

• A healthier, more unified fan base

Options are not a barrier.
Options are a bridge between players of different skill levels and expectations.

Undisputed chooses to build walls instead.

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Conclusion: Options Are Easy to Build, AI Makes Them Even Easier, and Boxing Games Cannot Survive Without Them

It is not difficult to implement options.
It is not expensive to maintain them.
It is not risky to offer realism modes.
It does not alienate casual players.
It does not damage balance.
It does not fragment the community.

A modern boxing game must serve:

• Casuals

• Hybrids

• Hardcore players

• Boxing purists

• Simulation enthusiasts

• Content creators

• Competitive fighters

• Offline fans

• Online players

You cannot do that with a single locked gameplay setting.

Options are essential.
Options are simple to build.
AI makes them even easier.
The excuses are outdated.

SCI must stop pretending depth is dangerous when the entire sports genre proves that depth—supported by optional systems—is the only path to a successful, long-lasting boxing videogame.

BOXING GAME OPTIONS & CUSTOMIZATION SYSTEM

Full Developer Design Document

Version: 1.0

Prepared For: Gameplay, Systems, AI, UX, Balancing, and Accessibility Teams

Prepared By: Systems Design Team

Purpose:

Provide a complete, modular, expandable options framework that satisfies casual players, hybrid players, hardcore simulation fans, offline/online players, and boxing purists.

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1.0 HIGH-LEVEL GOALS

1. Let every type of player enjoy the game.
   Casual → Hybrid → Pro → Authentic.

2. Create long-term engagement.
   Customization dramatically improves retention.

3. Enable accurate boxing simulation without forcing it.

4. Provide SDK-like accessibility for modders and competitive players.

5. Use a modular architecture:
   New sliders and toggles can be added without rewriting core systems.

6. Support AI-assisted balancing, automated QA, and player data analytics.

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2.0 OPTIONS STRUCTURE (TOP-LEVEL BREAKDOWN)

The options menu is divided into nine major categories:

1. Gameplay Modes

2. Difficulty & Assist Levels

3. Stamina & Conditioning System

4. Damage & Injury System

5. Punching & Impact Logic

6. Footwork & Movement

7. Defense & Blocking Behavior

8. AI Tendencies & Behavior

9. Rules, Referee Logic, and Judging Settings

10. Camera, Presentation, Audio Options

11. HUD & UI Customization

12. Accessibility Options

Each category includes sliders, toggles, presets, and developer/debug values.

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3.0 GAMEPLAY MODES

3.1 Preset Modes (One-click selections)

Mode	Description
Casual Mode	Fast stamina regen, low damage, high punch accuracy, simplified AI.
Hybrid Mode	Balanced realism, moderate consequences, visible style differences.
Pro Mode	Authentic stamina, realistic damage, accurate footwork, boxer tendencies.
Custom Mode	All sliders unlocked. User-defined realism.

3.2 Enable Online Mode Restrictions

• Toggle: ON/OFF

• Online requires standardized values unless matchmaking allows “Realism Lobbies.”

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4.0 DIFFICULTY & ASSIST LEVELS

4.1 General Difficulty

• AI Difficulty: Rookie, Amateur, Seasoned, Pro, Champion, Legendary

• Sub-Difficulty Controls:

  • Reaction Time

  • Combo Frequency

  • Defensive IQ

  • Counter Punch Aggression

  • Adaptation Rate

4.2 Assisted Controls

Each with ON/OFF or slider values:

• Auto-Block

• Auto-Slip

• Auto-Clinch

• Assisted Punch Accuracy

• Assisted Head Movement

• Assisted Power Punches

• Assisted Distance Control (AI helps maintain range)

4.3 Input Buffering Sensitivity

• Low

• Medium

• High

• Adaptive (AI adjusts buffering based on performance)

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5.0 STAMINA & CONDITIONING SYSTEM

5.1 Stamina Drain

Sliders 0% to 300%

• Punch Stamina Drain

• Missed Punch Penalty

• Power Punch Multiplier

• Movement Stamina Drain

• Blocking Stamina Drain

• Clinching Stamina Drain

• Recovery Between Rounds (0%–200%)

5.2 Long-Term Conditioning

Sliders 0% to 200%

• Long-Term Wear

• Round-to-Round Fatigue

• Adrenaline Surges

• “Second Wind” Frequency

5.3 Body/Stamina Interaction

• Body Shot Effectiveness

• Accumulated Fatigue Sensitivity

• Threshold for “Gassed State”

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6.0 DAMAGE & INJURY SYSTEM

6.1 General Damage Model

• Global Damage Multiplier (0%–300%)

• Head Damage

• Body Damage

• Cumulative Damage

• Flash Knockout Chance

• Knockdown Severity

• Chin Sensitivity

• Temple Sensitivity

• Liver Sensitivity

• Jaw Angle Multiplier (realism variable)

6.2 Injuries

Toggles + sliders:

• Cuts

• Swelling

• Broken Nose Risk

• Rib Injury Risk

• Vision Obstruction

• Injury Severity Multiplier

• Injury Frequency

• Cutman Effectiveness (0–100)

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7.0 PUNCHING & IMPACT LOGIC

7.1 Punch Accuracy

• Accuracy Multiplier

• Counter Accuracy Boost

• Fatigue Accuracy Penalty

• Footwork Accuracy Penalty

7.2 Punch Power

• Base Power

• Counter Power

• Momentum Power (movement-based)

• Inside/Outside Power

• Power Fatigue Penalty

7.3 Punch Tracking & Collision

• Auto-Tracking Sensitivity

• Desync Safe Mode

• Physics-Based Punch Connection (ON/OFF)

7.4 Punch Variation

Sliders:

• Jabs per Round Range

• Hooks per Round Range

• Uppercuts per Round Range

• Combinations Allowed

• Combo Length Limit

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8.0 FOOTWORK & MOVEMENT

8.1 Movement Model

Sliders:

• Step Speed

• Shuffle Speed

• Sprint/Burst Speed

• Lateral Movement Efficiency

• Backpedal Efficiency

• Pivot Speed

• Foot Planting Penalty

• Off-Balance Multiplier

8.2 Footwork Authenticity

Toggles:

• Realistic Lead Foot Alignment

• Realistic Pivot Rules

• Distance Enforcement (AI maintains proper range)

• Weight Transfer Fidelity

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9.0 DEFENSE & BLOCKING SYSTEM

9.1 General Defensive Sliders

• Blocking Effectiveness

• Blocking Stamina Drain

• Parry Window Size

• Slip Window Size

• Duck/Hunch Responsiveness

• Auto-Tilt Guard Sensitivity

• Shoulder Roll Efficiency

9.2 Defensive Styles Toggle

• Philly Shell

• Peekaboo

• High Guard

• Dynamic Guard

• Loose Guard

• Cross-Guard

• Mayweather Hybrid

• Pressure Shell

• Southpaw Auto-Adjust

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10.0 AI TENDENCIES & BEHAVIOR OPTIONS

10.1 Global AI Sliders

• Aggression

• Pressure

• Distance Control

• Ring Generalship

• Countering Frequency

• Defensive Responsibility

• Footwork Frequency

• Adaptation Rate

• Body/Head Mix Ratio

• Composure Under Fire

10.2 Per-Boxer Tendency Overwrite

Option to override their data profile.

10.3 AI Personality Presets

• Technician

• Puncher

• Boxer-Puncher

• Counter Specialist

• Pressure Fighter

• Rhythm Fighter

• Swarmer

• Out-Boxer

• Inside Specialist

• Wild Card

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11.0 RULES, REFEREE, AND JUDGING OPTIONS

11.1 Rules

• Rounds: 1–15

• Duration: 2 or 3 minutes

• Amateur, Pro, Open Class

• Standing 8 Count

• Three Knockdown Rule

• No Three Knockdown Rule

• TKO Threshold

• Doctor Stoppage Toggle

• Illegal Blow Penalties

• Excessive Clinching Penalty

• Disqualification Threshold

11.2 Referee Behavior

Sliders:

• Break Frequency

• Clinch Tolerance

• Warning Frequency

• Foul Sensitivity

• Knockdown Count Speed

11.3 Judging System

• 10–9 Must System

• Amateur Point System

• Open Scoring

• Judge Bias Realism

• Aggression Weight

• Defense Weight

• Effective Punching Weight

• Ring Generalship Weight

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12.0 CAMERA, PRESENTATION & AUDIO OPTIONS

12.1 Camera

• Dynamic

• Broadcast

• Retro FNC

• Ringside Low

• Over-the-Shoulder

• Top-Down

• FOV Slider

• Custom Camera Editor

12.2 Audio

• Punch Impact Mix

• Crowd Volume

• Commentary Frequency

• Referee Call Volume

• Corner Instructions

• Crowd Chants

• Dynamic Crowd Intensity (OFF–EXTREME)

12.3 Presentation Toggles

• HUD Minimal

• HUD Off

• Stamina Bars On/Off

• Damage Indicators On/Off

• Broadcast Replay Mode

• Slow-Mo Counters

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13.0 HUD & UI CUSTOMIZATION

Sliders + toggles:

• Damage Indicator Opacity

• Stamina Bar Style

• Punch Accuracy Display

• Ring Generalship Tracker

• Footwork Awareness Meter

• Punch Speed Meter

• Knockdown Camera Cutaway

• Real-Time Judges Scorecard (ON/OFF)

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14.0 ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS

• High-Contrast Mode

• Color Blind Modes

• High-Visibility Punch Trails

• Larger HUD

• Simplified Control Mode

• Single-Button Punch Mode

• Minimal Input Timing Requirements

• Auto-Evade Mode

• Assistive Vibration Feedback

• Audio Descriptions

• Subtitles Size / Font / Color

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15.0 DEBUG, TESTING & AI-SUPPORTED DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS

For internal use:

15.1 Developer Tools

• Show Collision Boxes

• Show Range Indicators

• Show AI Decision Tree

• Show Stamina Live Data

• Show Damage Zones

• Show Footwork Grid

• Show Tendency Weights

• Show Judge Score Breakdown

15.2 AI-Assisted Balancing

AI Agent Simulations:

• Simulate 5,000 fights per preset

• Identify overpowered sliders

• Report unbalanced patterns

• Auto-generate recommended slider ranges

• Stress-test AI behaviors

• Detect repetitive AI patterns

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16.0 PRESET PACKAGES FOR DAY 1 SHIP

The game ships with four presets:

Casual Preset

• Fast stamina

• Low punishment

• High accuracy

• Simple AI

• Lots of action

Hybrid Preset

• Balanced realism

• Strategic pacing

• Moderate AI adaptation

Pro Authentic Preset

• Realistic stamina

• Accurate damage

• Style-dependent strategy

• Boxing IQ

• Real consequences

Custom Preset

• Everything unlocked

• For hardcore and experimental players

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17.0 ONLINE MODES AND RESTRICTIONS

Ranked Mode

• Locked sliders

• Standardized ruleset

Unranked / Realism Lobby

• Player-defined presets allowed

Creator Lobbies

• Hosts can force custom rule sets

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18.0 VISION STATEMENT

A boxing game must support every type of player.
Casual. Hybrid. Hardcore. Boxing purist.
People who want fun.
People who want authenticity.
People who want simulation-level realism.

The options menu is not a bonus feature.
It is the foundation of a successful boxing title.

This document provides every toggle, slider, rule, and system needed to make a boxing game that can evolve, adapt, and satisfy fans for 10+ years.

  

Can Undisputed Survive a Two to Three-Year Engine Port? An Investigative Look at SCI’s Most Dangerous Gamble

When a studio with limited resources decides to port an entire boxing game to a new engine, it enters the most fragile phase in game development. The question is not simply whether the move will improve performance or fix long-standing issues. The real question is whether the community will still be around by the time the work is done. Undisputed finds itself at this crossroads today. If the port to a new version of Unreal Engine truly requires two or three more years, then Steel City Interactive is not just facing a technical challenge; they are fighting for survival.

This piece investigates whether the game can withstand that timeline, whether the fan base would disappear, and how SCI could realistically service players during an extended engine transition.

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1. The Timeline Problem: Why Two or Three Years Is Almost Fatal

Two or three years is an eternity in live service gaming. It is even longer in a niche genre like boxing. The average player does not think in terms of engine architecture, code refactors, or physics rewrites. They think in terms of what is missing today: referees, career mode, tendencies, footwork, balanced movement, realistic knockout systems, and presentation that mirrors the sport.

Undisputed launched with massive expectations after years of marketing the game as the future of the boxing genre. When it arrived in Early Access, fans expected rapid progress. Instead, the pace slowed, features were removed, and nothing major was added.

A multi-year engine port without clear visible progress leaves three predictable outcomes:

1. Fan fatigue.
Players stop believing promises after too many cycles of “Next patch,” “We hear you,” or “Big things are coming.”

2. Market erosion.
Competitors can appear quickly. A small studio or a modding group could build a better boxing foundation in the same time.

3. Narrative collapse.
Once the community begins to believe a game will never be finished, it rarely recovers.

No boxing game has survived this kind of development delay with an active user base intact. Fight Night Champion only kept its scene alive because the game was released finished. Undisputed has not.

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2. The Engine Port Does Not Fix the Core Problem: Design Identity

Even if Unreal Engine improves performance and polish, it does not solve Undisputed’s biggest issue. The game still lacks a clear identity. Fans wanted realistic boxing. SCI has leaned toward a hybrid style without admitting it publicly. That tension has damaged trust.

A port cannot fix:

• The missing referee system.

• The lack of AI tendencies and boxer identity.

• The unbalanced movement system.

• The unrealistic defensive logic.

• The homogenized punch behavior.

• The absence of real career and universe systems.

These require design leadership, not engine changes.

If SCI spends years moving assets and code to a new engine but continues the same design philosophy, the game will not survive.

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3. How Much of the Fan Base Would Remain After Such a Delay?

The answer depends on one factor: communication backed by visible progress.

The current trajectory suggests the community will shrink to a fraction of its current size.

The trust deficit is severe. Many fans feel misled by marketing language like “authentic boxing” or “realistic boxing styles” when the gameplay does not reflect those claims.

A two-to-three-year silence or trickle of small patches would likely cause:

• The competitive scene to disappearing completely.

• Content creators to abandon the title.

• Casual players to uninstall and forget.

• Modders to move on after realizing the foundation is not mod-friendly.

The remaining supporters would likely be the die-hard loyalists who will stay no matter what, but that is not enough to carry a niche sports game.

Undisputed does not have millions of players. It cannot afford to lose thousands.

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4. Can SCI Realistically Service Current Fans During a Multi-Year Port?

Here is the difficult truth. Porting the game while actively updating the current build is nearly impossible with SCI’s size. They are not Ubisoft or EA. They cannot run parallel pipelines with a live team and a porting team.

But SCI must keep fans engaged. Otherwise, there will be no one left when the port is finally done. Here are the only realistic ways SCI can survive the transition.

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5. A Survival Plan: What SCI Would Have to Do to Maintain Their Community

1. Monthly transparency reports with proof, not promises

Players need more than “We are working on the port.” They need:

• Screenshots

• Side-by-side comparisons

• Tech breakdowns

• Milestone timelines

Silence equals death.

2. A temporary “Stability Branch” that receives small, consistent updates

Even small improvements buy goodwill:

• Minor balance fixes

• Quality-of-life patches

• New gear

• Visual improvements

• Occasional boxer additions

People will stay if they feel the game is not abandoned.

3. A public, detailed roadmap that never disappears

The roadmap must be honest, include milestones, and be updated monthly.

4. Open betas for experimental builds

This gives players the impression that things are moving and allows SCI to get data without committing.

5. Community involvement in testing boxer AI, tendencies, and balance

Undisputed has unused community knowledge.
Real boxers, analysts, fans of the sport, and former moderators like you have decades of boxing understanding.

Leverage them or lose them.

6. Dramatic improvement in communication

The community must feel respected and informed.
Right now, they feel ignored.

7. A temporary offline career mode built with the existing engine

It does not have to be perfect, but it must:

• Provide progression

• Use basic tendencies

• Offer challenges

• Give meaning to rounds

This alone could keep thousands of players engaged while the port happens.

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6. The Harsh Reality: A Port Alone Will Not Save Undisputed

If SCI believes players will wait years based on faith alone, then this game will collapse long before the port is complete. Fans waited five years for a realistic boxing game only to receive a foundation that still feels unfinished. Asking them to wait another multi-year cycle without real content is not feasible.

The engine port could fix some technical issues, but it cannot repair a broken relationship with the community unless SCI fundamentally changes how it communicates, updates, and prioritizes features.

Undisputed can survive the port, but only if SCI does everything listed above. Anything less guarantees a mass exodus.

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7. Final Verdict

If Steel City Interactive takes two or three years to port Undisputed with their current communication style, update pace, and business strategy, the fan base will not survive.

However, if they shift into aggressive transparency, maintain consistent side updates, involve the community in development, and build at least a temporary career mode, then yes, the game could make it through the transition.

But they must act now.
Not next year.
Not after another silence cycle.

The clock is already running.

 

The Excuses Are Gone: Why Steel City Interactive Cannot Blame “First Game,” “Small Team,” or “Balance Philosophy” While Calling Undisputed Authentic

Five years into Undisputed’s development, Steel City Interactive continues to lean on three major public defenses:

1. “This is our first boxing game.”

2. “We are a small team.”

3. “We are trying to keep the game balanced.”

None of these defenses holds up under real industry analysis, historical comparison, or their own marketing claims.
Worse, each one directly contradicts the word they use most often to sell the game: authentic.

The result is a product caught between two identities:
half simulation, half arcade, and fully afraid of the truths of boxing.

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1. The “first boxing game” excuse collapses in 2025

Earlier generations of developers were working with primitive tools.
Studios building Knockout Kings or early Fight Night games did not have:

• Unreal Engine

• Motion-matching

• Modern AI frameworks

• Massive online reference footage

• Marketplace animation systems

• 30 years of genre history to study

SCI entered the genre with every advantage those studios lacked.

They were not pioneers.
They were successors.

When you start with modern technology, a global internet, and complete access to decades of design precedent, “first game” is not a valid defense. You have the blueprint.

Yet Undisputed still lacks basic boxing fundamentals that were solved long ago:

• grounded footwork

• realistic stamina

• stylistic identities

• punch variety

• meaningful ratings

• defensive depth

• tendencies

• referee logic

• clinching

• realistic pacing

• proper movement

These are not “complex sequel features.”
They are core pillars that belong in game one.

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2. “Small team” does not excuse the missing fundamentals

The industry is full of small teams that delivered deeper simulation systems and more cohesive gameplay:

• Stardew Valley

• Hollow Knight

• RimWorld

• Escape From Tarkov (early builds)

• Project Zomboid

• Ready or Not

• Undertale

These games include AI layers, progression, physics, animation pipelines, and scripted systems far more advanced than Undisputed.

Team size is not the issue.
Direction is.
Leadership is.
Prioritization is.

If a team of two or three can build systems-heavy masterpieces, a team with five years of development time should be able to implement the basics of boxing.

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3. SCI disproves its own “small team” argument through its spending priorities

If a studio truly lacked resources, they would not:

• license dozens of fighters

• sign Jake Paul

• partner with promoters

• expand marketing campaigns

• grow influencer relationships

• create merch

• attend global events

• sign legends across multiple divisions

Those actions require:

• money

• manpower

• coordination

• legal support

• marketing teams

• production bandwidth

You cannot claim the team is too small to implement tendencies, footwork logic, or a referee, while simultaneously building an international licensing and marketing operation.

This is not a team-size problem.
It is a priority problem.

They scaled marketing, not gameplay.
They expanded licenses, not systems.
They focused on visibility, not authenticity.

A small team can build a masterpiece.
A poorly-directed team cannot.

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4. Ash Habib’s constant use of the word “balance” reveals the real design philosophy

Whenever Ash appears in developer videos, interviews, or Q&A sessions, he leans on the same phrase:

“We need to keep things balanced.”

But SCI’s definition of “balance” is not the boxing definition.

Real boxing balance means:

• composure

• weight distribution

• stance control

• foot placement

SCI uses “balance” to mean:

• flattening style differences

• smoothing out strengths

• preventing real matchups

• removing natural advantages

The most revealing moment was when Ash said he did not want flat-footed punchers to be “unfair,” so he gave them loose foot movement, even if that contradicts how they actually fight.

This is the opposite of authenticity.

You cannot advertise “realistic styles” while giving boxers mobility they do not possess.
You cannot claim “boxers fight like themselves” while stripping out their natural weaknesses.
You cannot sell “authentic boxing” while designing like a fighting game.

Authenticity demands truth.
Balance demands sameness.

SCI chose sameness and marketed it as truth.

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5. Boxing is not fair and should never be flattened for artificial balance

In real boxing:

• Slick movers neutralize brawlers

• Pressure fighters drown outboxers

• Counter punchers punish aggressors

• Range dominates short fighters

• Stamina differences change outcomes

• Some styles dominate certain matchups

• Certain fighters are naturally difficult for others

The phrase “we do not want any style to be overpowered” reveals a fear of real boxing dynamics.

Styles make fights.
Taking that away removes the sport’s identity.

What SCI calls “overpowered,” boxing calls “matchups.”

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6. Missing gameplay style options show a lack of vision

Every major sports game offers multiple gameplay identities:

• Madden Simulation, Competitive, Arcade

• FIFA Casual, Competitive, Simulation

• UFC Simulation and Stand-and-Bang

• NBA 2K Sim, Park, Blacktop

• MLB The Show Casual, Simulation, Competitive

This is the industry standard.

Undisputed should have:

Amateur

Simplified movement. Safer gameplay. Reduced power. Perfect for beginners.

Hybrid (Open Class)

Balanced realism. Realistic tendencies. Authentic pacing. No artificial equalizers.

Pro

Hardcore authenticity.
True footwork differences.
Accurate stamina.
Real punch physics.
Real matchups.
Raw boxer identities.

Everyone wins.
No community suffers.
No compromise is needed.

But SCI chose one single gameplay philosophy:
a flattened hybrid that satisfies no one.

• Too unrealistic for purists

• Too inconsistent for casuals

• Too unbalanced for competitive players

A game cannot be everything at once.
Options fix that.

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7. Authenticity requires embracing strengths and weaknesses, not hiding them

True boxing authenticity comes from:

• tendencies

• capabilities

• real ratings

• footwork identity

• punch identity

• defensive choices

• stamina realism

• matchup differences

SCI tries to avoid “unfairness” by erasing style differences, then presents the result as realism. That is deceptive messaging.

When the marketing uses authentic, realistic, and true-to-boxing, but the design philosophy flattens the sport to avoid player complaints, the word “authentic” loses all meaning.

You cannot fear styles and claim realism simultaneously.

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Final Verdict

Steel City Interactive cannot use:

• “first game”

• “small team”

• “balancing”

• “avoiding overpowered styles”

as excuses anymore. Not after:

• five years of development

• dozens of licenses

• heavy marketing

• repeated claims of authenticity

• promises of realistic boxer behavior

• expansive marketing budgets

• influencer partnerships

• boxing-media collaborations

The missing features are not second-game luxuries. They are core fundamentals that define the sport.
And the design philosophy — afraid of style dominance and afraid of realism — is incompatible with the word “authentic.”

Boxing is not symmetrical.
Boxing is not fair.
Boxing is not a fighting game.
Styles make fights.
Strengths and weaknesses define matchups.
And options should have existed from day one.

SCI’s excuses are gone.
The contradictions are visible.
And the community sees the truth.

The Real Moneymaker: Why a Deep, Feature-Rich Boxing Game Without Real Boxers Would Outsell Any Limited Licensed Title

The Real Moneymaker: Why a Deep, Feature-Rich Boxing Game Without Real Boxers Would Outsell Any Limited Licensed Title

For years, many studios have clung to the belief that boxing games only succeed when they feature real fighters. This old assumption has shaped how publishers approach the genre, and it is one of the main reasons boxing gaming has stagnated. Today’s market proves something very different. A deep boxing game with rich mechanics, powerful modes, generational simulation, and world-building systems would sell far more than a limited, license-heavy title that relies mainly on recognizable names.

Depth sells. Systems sell. Replayability sells. A roster of famous boxers does not guarantee success, especially when the rest of the game lacks ambition. The modern gaming audience has moved in a different direction, and the data is clear.

This investigative editorial explains why depth outperforms celebrity, why competition between studios would raise the quality of boxing games, and why a fully featured boxing simulation with no real fighters could become the most successful boxing game ever made.

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1. Boxing Games Did Not Decline Because of Boxing. They Declined Because Publishers Misread the Market.

Boxing games thrived in the late 1990s and 2000s. Fans had multiple choices, including Fight Night, Knockout Kings, Ready 2 Rumble, Victorious Boxers, Rocky Legends, Prizefighter, and Title Bout Boxing. When competition existed, innovation accelerated. Studios improved animations, physics, AI behavior, punch systems, and career modes because they wanted to outperform one another.

The decline happened when publishers redirected money toward annualized sports games with predictable revenue. Boxing was labeled as “risky” based on outdated assumptions. Executives believed the sport lacked global interest or long-term market potential. In reality, fans never left. Publishers simply failed to understand the hunger for a deep boxing experience.

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2. More Boxing Developers Would Force Innovation and Produce Better Games

If more studios entered the boxing genre, quality would rise immediately. Competition creates pressure. Pressure creates breakthroughs. For example:

• One developer improves footwork systems. Another responds by advancing AI tendencies.
• One adds a full universe mode. Another adds generational boxer pipelines.
• One builds a deep creation suite. Another expands storytelling and gym dynamics.

Variety also expands. Fans could experience simulation-heavy titles, anime-style boxing games, hybrid arcade-sim games, career-focused experiences, and complete management titles. Competition has always been the lifeblood of progress in sports gaming. Boxing needs it more than ever.

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3. The License Myth: Real Boxers Do Not Guarantee High Sales

For decades, studios assumed fans buy boxing games for the roster alone. That thinking is outdated. Modern examples prove that licenses do not save weak games.

• NBA Live had the entire NBA license and still collapsed.
• WWE 2K sales crashed during the years when the gameplay was weak, even with large licensed rosters.
• UFC games have more than three hundred fighters, yet sales remain modest.
• EA’s FIFA renamed itself to EA FC and still outsold previous entries without the FIFA name.

Players care most about the quality of the game, not the list of celebrities. Mechanics, depth, systems, customization, and replayability matter far more.

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4. Deep Sports Games Outsell Roster-Driven Games Across the Entire Industry

Successful sports and management games rely on depth rather than famous names.

• Football Manager sells millions each year using generational simulations and fictional players.
• Out of the Park Baseball outperforms many fully licensed baseball titles with its deep systems.
• NBA 2K became the most dominant basketball franchise because of its modes and tendencies, not because of star players.
• Stardew Valley, RimWorld, Project Zomboid, and many other games without licenses outperform titles that rely on celebrity rosters.

The lesson is simple. Players stay for depth, not names.

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5. A Deep Boxing Game Without Licenses Avoids Every Major Production Bottleneck

Licensing is one of the main reasons boxing games have been slow, limited, and expensive to produce. The sport has no centralized league. Rights are split among promoters, estates, managers, sanctioning bodies, and retired athletes. Negotiations consume time and money.

A non-licensed boxing game avoids all of these problems and gains several major advantages:

• Larger budgets can go toward AI, physics, modes, and features.
• Development becomes faster and more flexible.
• Studios can add any move, trait, style, or personality without legal restrictions.
• Creative control increases significantly.
• Updates and expansions can roll out without contract limitations.

A studio can finally focus on building the deepest boxing simulation possible.

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6. The Creation Suite Becomes the Real Roster

A strong creation suite is more valuable than any licensed roster. Players will immediately begin recreating their favorite boxers. Communities will share legends, prospects, and fictional dynasties. Streamers will build careers around custom fighters and storylines. Modders will support the game with thousands of characters and enhancements.

A powerful creation suite is a content engine that never runs out of fuel.

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7. Deep Modes and Systems Generate Higher Sales, Longer Lifespans, and Stronger Communities

A deep, feature-rich boxing game with no real fighters would outperform a limited licensed title because it offers more replayability and more long-term value. Players return again and again when a game includes:

• A universe mode that simulates decades of boxing history.
• Generational boxer pipelines and evolving rivalries.
• Weight cuts, training camps, injuries, and personality systems.
• Gym dynamics, promoter relationships, and global boxing ecosystems.
• Advanced AI that reflects traits, tendencies, rhythm, technique, and ring IQ.
• Fully customizable fighters with detailed sliders and identity systems.

This is how a boxing game becomes a cultural force, not a one-month novelty.

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8. Eventually, Real Boxers Will Want To Be Included

Once a deep boxing game becomes the biggest combat sports title in the world, boxers will reach out on their own. Promoters will want crossovers. Legends will ask to be added. Managers will approach studios. The power shifts completely.

The studio no longer needs licenses. The licenses want the studio.

This is the exact path taken by Fortnite, Rocket League, NBA 2K, UFC, WWE 2K, and other modern titles with massive communities.

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Conclusion: Depth Will Always Outsell Celebrity

A limited boxing game with real fighters offers short-term curiosity and short-term sales. It lacks staying power unless the underlying systems are exceptional.

A deep boxing simulation without real boxers offers unlimited replay value, endless community growth, long-term profitability, and the potential to sell millions. It becomes a platform, not just a product.

Depth sells more.
Depth lasts longer.
Depth builds a legacy.

The “Troublemaker” Label, and Why It’s a Badge of Honor

Why Poe Gets Labeled a Troublemaker, And Why That Label Exists Only to Protect Complacency

Poe gets called a “troublemaker” for one simple reason:
He refuses to accept what the gaming industry pretends is normal.

He doesn’t nod along with the excuses. He doesn’t swallow the talking points crafted by studios, PR teams, influencers, and publishers. He doesn’t buy into the idea that fans should be grateful for scraps or convinced that fundamental features are “impossible.”

Instead, he does the one thing that threatens entire comfort zones:

He challenges everything with logic, receipts, data, and lived experience.

And in an industry trained to reward passivity, that alone is enough to get someone labeled as “difficult,” “negative,” “a problem,” or “too opinionated.”
It’s the oldest move in the book, when you can’t disprove the argument, discredit the person making it.

But Poe represents a type of gamer and a type of developer advocate that the modern industry isn’t used to dealing with anymore.

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A Generation That Grew Up With Games, Studied Them, and Knows Their Limits

People like Poe didn’t just grow up gaming—they grew up studying the craft behind games.
They dissected animation timing, AI behavior loops, input reading, physics budgets, frame data, netcode, and design fundamentals long before the current gaming discourse even knew what those terms meant.

And that’s the real uncomfortable truth:

He knows what’s possible.
He knows what’s lazy.
He knows what an excuse disguised as a limitation.

Gamers of his generation lived through eras where studios pushed hardware to its absolute limit:

• Fight Night Round 4 on the PS3/X360 with physics no one has matched since

• NFL 2K5’s AI intelligence is still unmatched by Madden

• The complexity of early RPG simulations

• The rise of modding communities that proved what studios said couldn’t be done could absolutely be done

The bar was higher in the past.
So when the industry now pleads “impossible,” people like Poe can instantly call their bluff.

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The Industry’s Defense Mechanism: Label the Non-Conformist

When systems are mediocre, excuses flourish.
When excuses flourish, truth tellers become threats.

Poe’s refusal to go along with the script exposes that:

• Many modern studios cut corners because the pressure is low

• Many influencers repeat PR talking points because access matters more than integrity

• Many developers avoid accountability behind “it’s harder than you think”

• Fans have been conditioned to accept less because marketing replaces substance

So instead of elevating standards, companies deploy a protective tactic:

“This guy is a troublemaker.”
“This guy is negative.”
“This guy doesn’t understand game development.”
“This guy is too demanding.”

But the record shows otherwise.
Poe isn’t demanding the impossible; he’s demanding the achievable, proven by decades of gaming history and modern tools.

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Proof Over Ego: The Difference That Makes People Uncomfortable

Poe’s critiques are grounded in:

• Real gameplay analysis

• Decades of boxing experience

• Proven mechanics from past titles

• Industry data

• Technical feasibility

• Expert-level understanding of AI, tendencies, and simulation systems

• Hard evidence instead of vibes and marketing promises

Most critics rely on emotion. Poe relies on evidence.
In a culture where “just trust us” is the norm, evidence is the most radical weapon possible.

Studios don’t know how to respond when every weak justification is dismantled with:

• exact examples,

• exact systems,

• exact workflows,

• exact proven implementations.

So instead of addressing the truth, they attack the source.

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The Real Issue: Poe Exposes What the Industry Wants to Hide

Poe doesn’t just push back; he dismantles the illusion that consumers are powerless.
He tears down the belief that studios know best and fans should be quiet.

His message is dangerous to the status quo because:

• It reminds gamers that expectations should rise, not fall.

• It proves many “impossible” things are entirely possible.

• It shows that realism, depth, and authenticity are not niche desires; they're mainstream demands.

• It questions why today’s games often do less than games made 10–20 years ago.

• It exposes how marketing has replaced craftsmanship.

• It reveals how much talent exists outside AAA studios.

People who point out uncomfortable truths always get labeled as the problem.

Because once the truth is acknowledged, the excuses collapse.

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Troublemakers Build Better Games

Every major leap in gaming history came from someone who refused to accept “good enough.”
Someone who asked, “Why can’t we do better?”
Someone who challenged the default assumptions of their era.

Poe is in that lineage.

Troublemaker is just the industry’s word for someone who:

• sees through the PR

• refuses mediocrity

• questions everything

• rejects shortcuts

• pushes for systems that respect the sport

• understands the craft deeper than marketing departments ever will

• refuses to let a generation of gamers settle for less

“Troublemaker” is the label people use when they don’t want to admit someone else is right.

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The Bottom Line

Poe isn’t a problem.
He is the antidote to the problem.

His standards are what force innovation.
His questions are what expose incompetence.
His expectation for realism and depth is what elevates sports gaming.

He doesn’t accept what others accept because others have been conditioned to accept too little.

If anything, the real troublemakers are the ones pretending the industry can’t do better when the evidence says it absolutely can.

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If you want, I can turn this into:

• a magazine-style editorial

• a LinkedIn-style industry critique

• a manifesto-style opener for your blog

• a bio paragraph

• or a “Poe philosophy” section for your brand.

“The Cost of Misplaced Priorities: How SCI Is Funding Everything Except the Game It Promised”

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THE GREAT MISALLOCATION:

How SCI’s Spending, Priorities, and Partnerships Are Sabotaging Their Own Boxing Game

For years, boxing gamers hoped that Steel City Interactive would deliver the rebirth the genre desperately needed. With promises of authenticity, individuality, simulation depth, and a renewed focus on the science of boxing, SCI positioned itself as the studio that would finally bring the sport back to life in the gaming industry.

That promise, however, has steadily collapsed under the weight of misaligned priorities, questionable spending, and a growing obsession with marketing over mastery. The studio is now caught in a cycle familiar to many failed gaming projects: crafting visibility instead of craftsmanship.

What began as a bold attempt to build the most realistic boxing simulation in decades has devolved into a troubling pattern of promotional partnerships, influencer-driven optics, and incomplete execution, leaving a fractured community and a game that remains fundamentally unfinished.

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I. The Shift From Authenticity to Optics

Early in development, SCI spoke passionately about simulation realism: individual tendencies, unique boxer styles, inside fighting, clinching, adaptive AI, advanced footwork, a living boxing ecosystem, and systems that would make every boxer feel genuinely distinct.

Today, the reality is starkly different.

Most of those promised systems remain:

• missing,

• partially implemented,

• or replaced by simplified, arcade-leaning shortcuts.

Movement remains unnatural.
Animations have regressed.
AI lacks depth.
Footwork is incomplete.
Inside fighting barely exists.
Clinching never arrived.
Signature tendencies are absent.
Weight detection is primitive.
Defensive mechanics are insufficient.

And yet, rather than aggressively attacking these technical failures, SCI’s public-facing focus has shifted toward influencer partnerships, branded content, promotional events, and media collaborations.

The optics have grown. The game has not.

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II. The Marketing Surge: Spending on Everything Except What Matters

SCI’s recent partnerships with social media boxing outlets, influencer boxing brands, and small promotional platforms reveal a studio attempting to amplify visibility while the gameplay foundation remains unstable.

These partnerships—almost certainly incentivized financially or through visibility trades—provide the illusion of momentum without fixing the core issues players experience every time they touch a controller.

The investment pattern is unmistakable:

Money Is Flowing Into:

• influencer partnerships

• sponsored tournaments

• brand collaborations

• visual rebranding

• promotional trailers

• social media campaigns

• merch tie-ins

• publicity boosts

Money Is Not Flowing Into:

• AI engineering

• animation cleanup

• locomotion overhauls

• physics tuning

• hit detection systems

• defensive mechanics

• footwork architecture

• clinch and inside-fighting systems

• signature style frameworks

• long-term gameplay identity

Marketing is receiving the budget that development desperately needs.

This creates a profound disconnect: the studio appears outwardly active, but internally, the game still suffers from early-access instability.

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III. The EA Comparison, and Why It Fails

Some comparisons have framed SCI as becoming “the new EA.”
But the comparison doesn’t hold.

EA released Fight Night Champion hybrid, cinematic, flawed game, yet undeniably complete. Its shortcomings were design choices, not structural failures. EA misallocated creative direction, but they delivered a finished product.

SCI’s problem is more fundamental.
The game is still incomplete at a structural level.

The issue isn’t aesthetics or content pipelines—
It’s missing systems, broken mechanics, and unfulfilled promises.

SCI isn’t repeating EA.
SCI is repeating the pattern of studios that sprint toward marketing because development is falling behind.

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IV. Why Companies Continue Partnering With SCI Despite the Game’s Condition

The continued influx of partnerships is perplexing to many players, but easily explained within the industry:

1. Partnerships Are Purchased or Incentivized

Most small media brands, social boxing pages, and influencer outlets accept deals when offered compensation, access, or visibility. These partnerships reflect business needs, not belief in the game's quality.

2. Many Partners Don’t Understand the Game’s Technical State

Boxing media outlets often do not play games, analyze mechanics, or follow community backlash. They simply see a studio with licensed boxers and impressive trailers.

3. Visibility Benefits Both Sides

SCI gains the illusion of momentum.
Partners gain content and engagement.

4. Some Partners Bet on Future Success

Even if the game is weak now, early association offers potential long-term value if it ever stabilizes.

In every scenario, the motivation is transactional, not a validation of the game’s quality or direction.

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V. The Community’s Disillusionment

What makes the current situation especially painful is that the community initially championed SCI with remarkable loyalty. Many players defended Undisputed in early access, gave feedback, championed the studio’s goals, and believed in the long-term vision.

That loyalty has been eroded by:

• stagnation in gameplay improvement

• regression in animations

• AI that fails to represent real boxing

• missing promised systems

• imbalance between marketing and development

• vague communication

• and a reliance on influencer optics instead of technical transparency

Fans didn’t turn on SCI because they wanted to.
They turned because the studio drifted away from the identity it originally embraced.

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VI. The Consequences of Prioritizing Partnerships Over Progress

When a studio invests heavily in marketing while leaving core systems unfinished, several predictable outcomes follow:

1. Gameplay suffers, and players lose trust.

2. The studio appears disconnected from its own community.

3. Influencer-driven messaging replaces honest communication.

4. The game’s long-term potential is sacrificed for short-term visibility.

5. The fanbase fragments and declines.

6. The genre’s reputation suffers.

This is particularly damaging in boxing, a genre with no annual safety net. A failed boxing game isn’t just a failed game; it reinforces industry beliefs that boxing isn’t viable.

One studio’s failure becomes the entire genre’s setback.

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VII. The Spending Crisis: A Studio Burning Money in the Wrong Direction

At its core, the criticism facing SCI is not that it lacks funding, but that it lacks allocation discipline.

Money is being spent.
It’s simply being spent on the wrong things.

A healthy development cycle spends first on:

• physics

• movement

• collision

• AI

• animation

• systems

• realism

• gameplay identity

SCI is spending first on:

• partnerships

• promotions

• influencers

• campaigns

• branding

• optics

The result is a game that feels frozen in early access while the company behaves like it’s preparing for a global launch.

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VIII. The Path Back: Realignment or Regression

There is still a path forward, but only if SCI redistributes its energy and finances toward development, not promotion.

A recovery requires:

1. Transparent, technical roadmaps

-not cinematic updates.

2. Hiring specialized technical staff

-not increasing marketing presence.

3. Completing core systems

-before expanding partnerships.

4. Prioritizing stability over visibility

5. Rebuilding trust through action, not branding

A boxing game cannot be saved by slogans, influencers, or promotional events.
Only the gameplay can save it.

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IX. Conclusion: A Studio at a Crossroads

Steel City Interactive stands in a fragile, defining moment. The studio still has the opportunity to redeem its promise and deliver the authentic boxing experience fans hoped for. But its current spending patterns and partnership-driven strategy reflect a studio drifting away from its core mission.

Unless the financial and creative priorities change rapidly and decisively, Undisputed risks becoming another cautionary tale of a studio that chased exposure instead of excellence.

The message from the community is clear, even if unspoken:

Stop investing in how the game looks to the outside world.
Start investing in how the game plays to the people who bought it.

The future of the game, and the genre, depends on that shift.

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