AEW's Gaming Future Hangs in the Balance: Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

The future of AEW's video game endeavors is currently shrouded in uncertainty, as the company grapples with the aftermath of the mixed reception to its debut title, "AEW Fight Forever." With reports of development issues and a potential shift in development partners, the path forward for AEW's gaming aspirations remains unclear, leaving fans and industry observers alike eager to see what the future holds.

Navigating the Complexities of AEW's Gaming Landscape

Rethinking the Development Partnership

According to multiple sources, AEW's decision-makers are "strongly considering" finding a new development partner to handle their future video game projects. This comes after the company faced numerous challenges during the development of "AEW Fight Forever," which launched in June 2023 to a mixed response from players. The game's over-budget development and perceived underperformance have led AEW to reevaluate its approach to video game production.One source revealed that the company is aware that "things didn't go the way they expected," with the game's lack of depth and various technical issues proving to be a turnoff for many players. This has prompted AEW to explore alternative development partners, potentially seeking a fresh perspective and a more successful collaboration.

Evaluating the Yuke's Relationship

The original contract with Yuke's, the studio behind "AEW Fight Forever," called for one year of post-launch updates, which materialized in the form of four seasonal content packs. The last of these DLC releases came in July, adding wrestler Jay White to the roster. However, the sources indicate that the relationship between AEW and Yuke's was not without its challenges.Insider Gaming was told that there were instances of "butting heads" between the two parties, including involvement from AEW executive vice president Kenny Omega. At one point, Omega was reportedly "frustrated to the point of 'hating' working with Yuke's," while others felt that the studio was trying to "take advantage" of Omega due to his relative inexperience in game development.The sources suggest that "no one was really happy when the game came out," with internal discussions beginning even before the launch about potentially continuing with Yuke's, bringing the game to a new developer, or even abandoning the console market in favor of a mobile-focused approach.

Exploring the Path Forward

As AEW contemplates its next steps, the company is said to be conducting "due diligence" by reaching out to "some of the larger developers in the space, including some obvious ones," to gauge their interest in the wrestling game market. This suggests that AEW is actively exploring its options and seeking to find the right partner to help realize its gaming ambitions.One potential advantage for AEW is that the company owns the engine used for "AEW Fight Forever," which could allow them to build upon the existing foundation if they choose to work with a new developer. However, given the game's significant budget overruns and lack of profitability, it's unlikely that AEW would opt for a complete ground-up rebuild, as that would likely require an even greater financial investment.Ultimately, the sources indicate that no final decision has been made regarding AEW's gaming future, and the company is still in the "discussions stage" as it weighs its options. The priority, it seems, is to ensure that any future AEW video game projects are better aligned with the company's expectations and deliver a more satisfactory experience for players.

Navigating the Challenges of the Wrestling Game Market

The challenges faced by AEW in the video game space are not unique to the company. The wrestling game genre has long been a challenging one, with a limited number of successful titles and a highly competitive landscape dominated by the long-running "WWE 2K" series.AEW's entry into the market with "AEW Fight Forever" was seen as an opportunity to shake up the status quo and provide an alternative for fans. However, the game's mixed reception has highlighted the difficulties of breaking into a market that has historically been dominated by established franchises.The sources suggest that "a lot of people in the company want another shot with a console game," but the ultimate decision will come down to the confidence of those "signing the checks." AEW's willingness to trust its development partners and invest in the necessary resources to create a truly compelling wrestling experience will be crucial in determining the future of its gaming endeavors.

Balancing Ambition and Pragmatism

As AEW navigates the complexities of its gaming future, the company will need to strike a delicate balance between its ambitions and the realities of the market. While the desire to provide fans with a high-quality, engaging wrestling game is understandable, the lessons learned from the development of "AEW Fight Forever" will be crucial in shaping the company's approach moving forward.AEW's decision-makers will need to carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of potential development partners, ensuring that the chosen studio has the expertise, resources, and commitment to deliver a product that meets the company's standards and resonates with players. Additionally, the company will need to carefully manage budgets and timelines, avoiding the pitfalls that plagued the launch of "AEW Fight Forever."Ultimately, the future of AEW's video game efforts will hinge on the company's ability to learn from its past experiences, adapt its strategy, and forge a path forward that capitalizes on the growing popularity of the AEW brand and the enduring appeal of professional wrestling video games.