The first game released by the relatively new wrestling promotion, All Elite Wrestling, has had quite the rollercoaster ride in terms of success. Launched in 2023, AEW Fight Forever marked a significant milestone as it was the largest wrestling video game project outside WWE’s domain in decades. Fans, who eagerly awaited an alternative, found some enjoyment in Fight Forever, yet many flaws became apparent, highlighting the challenges of producing a major wrestling game outside of the WWE sphere.
AEW teamed up with the video game company Yuke’s to feature big names like Kenny Omega, CM Punk, and Bryan Danielson right from the start. However, despite such efforts, the game failed to maintain its momentum, as expensive DLC packs did little to revitalize interest. There’s already buzz about a potential sequel, which could see new developers stepping in to give AEW’s video game endeavors another shot.
The process of developing AEW Fight Forever was anything but smooth, leaving fans in a state of confusion as they awaited news and updates. The differing philosophies between Yuke’s and AEW clashed, resulting in a rocky road to crafting what many hoped would be a landmark game outside the WWE environment. Reports surfaced about Kenny Omega, a key figure within AEW, having disagreements with the game developers during the early stages of its creation.
When Fight Forever finally hit the shelves, the sales figures were less than stellar, managing just a year’s worth of DLC interest before fading away. Many opted to buy the game at a much-reduced price or even accessed it for free through subscription services as AEW broadened its availability. The final product didn’t quite meet the high hopes of fans or AEW officials, with numerous players expressing dissatisfaction over issues like the pinning system, outdated rosters, limited match varieties, and a lackluster Create-a-Wrestler feature, among other concerns.
Yuke’s representatives have deferred any discussions about a sequel to AEW, suggesting that decisions about future gaming projects lie firmly in AEW’s hands. While several mobile games are now in circulation, there’s unmistakable interest in seeing another major console game get underway, and it seems likely that fans will eventually have their wishes fulfilled.
Tony Khan, the enthusiastic AEW President, seems keen on continuing AEW’s journey in the video game realm. Despite the challenges, he’s expressed hopes for more games, buoyed by recent TV rights renewals. In an interview with YouTuber Mr. Wright Way, Tony Khan shared a hopeful outlook on gaming’s future at AEW. He stated that Fight Forever will continue getting support, and hinted at brighter prospects for future AEW games as time passes:
“I think eventually, absolutely we’ll still keep putting AEW games into the world.”
While Yuke’s appears to have taken a wait-and-see approach, shifting responsibility back to AEW, Tony Khan’s viewpoint indicates a willingness to explore more gaming opportunities. However, finding a suitable new partner could be crucial for AEW to hit the mark with future releases. Without a set timeframe, it’s apparent several changes are on the horizon before development starts anew.
Whispers of discord during the development, coupled with a lack of clarity moving forward, have left fans speculating about AEW and Yuke’s working relationship possibly ending. The two sides seemed to differ significantly in vision, contributing to the game’s shortcomings.
Bringing in a new developer and company could be the remedy AEW needs to produce a successful video game. Considering the talent and the influx of new signings over the past year, AEW is certainly poised to make another go of it, even though it needs undeniable quality to thrive in the wrestling game market without the WWE name attached.
Patience and dedicated effort will be vital, although they may lead to some fan discontent over potential waiting periods—something already experienced with AEW’s first major release. However, to ensure the wait is worth it, AEW must address all grievances players had with Fight Forever. Crucially, the new gaming company should align with AEW’s vision to craft a product that fulfills expectations. Altogether, distancing themselves from Yuke’s to find a more fitting development partner seems to be the necessary step towards delivering a better sequel for console gaming, as recent reports suggest.
