AEW's Crossroads: Navigating the Future of Gaming Partnerships

The world of professional wrestling has been abuzz with the news that AEW, the parent company of the popular All Elite Wrestling brand, is reportedly considering a new direction for its future video game endeavors. After the less-than-stellar launch and reception of AEW: Fight Forever, the company is said to be strongly weighing its options when it comes to partnering with a new developer to bring its vision to life on the digital stage.

Charting a New Course: AEW's Pursuit of Gaming Excellence

Dissecting the Challenges of AEW: Fight Forever

The launch of AEW: Fight Forever was met with a mix of anticipation and disappointment. While the game's accessibility across multiple platforms was a positive, it struggled to deliver on consumer expectations. Scoring a passing 7.75 out of 10 at SGO, the review highlighted the game's shortcomings, including an underwhelming roster and a lack of content that would ensure its longevity. The game's development process was also plagued by challenges, with tensions between AEW and the developer, Yuke's, coming to the forefront.

Strained Relationships and Creative Differences

As early as 2022, the relationship between AEW and Yuke's had begun to strain. Despite Yuke's push for a long-term deal, AEW was hesitant to commit, citing concerns over the game's development and the ability to expand the roster through post-launch DLC. AEW executive vice president Kenny Omega, who was heavily involved in the game's development, was reportedly frustrated with the collaboration, with some sources claiming he "hated" working with Yuke's due to clashes over constraints, limitations, and design choices.

Exploring New Partnerships: AEW's Pursuit of Gaming Excellence

With neither AEW nor Yuke's seemingly satisfied with the final product, the parting of ways appears inevitable. However, the company's next steps remain uncertain. AEW owns the rights to the AEW: Fight Forever build, which means they could potentially bring the game to a new developer to build upon the existing foundation. The fact that the game was developed using Unreal Engine further simplifies this process, but the choice of a new partner remains a critical decision.

Casting a Wide Net: AEW's Search for the Right Developer

According to reports, AEW is actively reaching out to some of the larger developers in the industry, including "some obvious ones," to gauge their interest in the wrestling game market. The company is said to be conducting due diligence before making any final decisions, ensuring they find the right partner to bring their vision to life.

Navigating the Crossroads: AEW's Commitment to Gaming Excellence

As AEW navigates this crossroads, the company's commitment to delivering a high-quality gaming experience for its passionate fanbase remains unwavering. The lessons learned from the AEW: Fight Forever launch will undoubtedly shape the company's approach to future partnerships, as they seek to create a game that truly captures the essence of All Elite Wrestling and satisfies the expectations of its devoted audience.