Undisputed: The Definitive Boxing Video Game Expands Its Roster

Oct 10, 2024 at 8:41 AM

Undisputed: The Highly Anticipated Boxing Video Game Expands Its Roster

The boxing video game world has been abuzz with the release of Undisputed, the latest offering from Steel City Interactive. Fans who pre-ordered the WBC Edition were able to get their hands on the game starting October 8, with the worldwide launch following on October 11. While the initial roster boasts an impressive 81 unique fighters, with some playable in multiple weight classes and alternate versions from different stages of their careers, the developers have promised even more additions through future downloadable content (DLC).

Unveiling the Undisputed Roster: A Comprehensive Look at the Upcoming Additions

Expanding the Roster: A Roadmap for Future Fighters

Prior to its current name, the boxing project developed by Steel City Interactive was known as eSports Boxing Club. The name change was officially announced in a video released earlier this year. Since 2021, the game's official YouTube channel has been sharing announcements regarding former and present fighters who have agreed to be part of the Undisputed roster.Many of the fighters featured in those announcements are already included in the game's launch roster, but there are still several notable names that have yet to be added. In a recent interview, Ash Habib, the head of Steel City Interactive, shed some light on the plans for these upcoming fighters."There are fighters that I signed four years ago who haven't made it into Day 1," Habib revealed. "It's just about making sure that we've got a good order for these fighters to come in. One thing I don't want to do is make these fighters feel like they're just different skins."When asked if all the fighters previously announced during the eSports Boxing Club days would eventually be added to the Undisputed roster, Habib confirmed, "absolutely." However, he noted that there are no specific release dates at the moment."Right now, we're figuring out the road map for what it looks like for all of those fighters," Habib said. "We're making sure we're doing justice to these guys with the overall level that we've now reached. Right now, all of the fighters that we've announced previously, absolutely they are on the roster. They're people we've signed into the game. Right now, it's just in terms of when; When can we physically fit these fighters into the game? We'll be releasing more information on that down the road."

Highly Anticipated Additions: A Closer Look at the Roster Expansions

The list of announced fighters who were not part of the game's launch roster is an impressive one, featuring both legendary and contemporary boxing icons. Among the standouts are:Jack Dempsey, the former heavyweight champion who dominated the sport in the 1920s, and Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion, whose historic victory over Tommy Burns in 1908 was a significant milestone in the sport's history.The Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, are also set to join the Undisputed roster. The Ukrainian siblings were dominant forces in the heavyweight division, with Wladimir holding the unified heavyweight championship for over a decade.Other notable additions include Hector Camacho, Sr., the flamboyant Puerto Rican boxer known for his speed and showmanship, Jake LaMotta, the "Raging Bull" whose life story was immortalized in the classic film of the same name, and Juan Manuel Marquez, the Mexican legend who engaged in a legendary rivalry with Manny Pacquiao.The roster expansions also include several other renowned fighters, such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Nonito Donaire, Timothy Bradley Jr., Oscar Valdez Jr., Shakur Stevenson, Ray Mancini, Fernando Vargas, Mike McCallum, Marcos Maidana, and Roman Gonzalez, among others.

Balancing the Roster: Prioritizing Fighter Additions and Ensuring Authenticity

While the developers have a wealth of talented fighters lined up for future DLC releases, Habib emphasized the importance of carefully managing the order in which they are added to the game."It's just about making sure that we've got a good order for these fighters to come in," Habib explained. "One thing I don't want to do is make these fighters feel like they're just different skins."This approach suggests that the team at Steel City Interactive is committed to ensuring that each fighter's unique attributes and characteristics are accurately represented in the game, rather than simply adding them as generic placeholders.The potential inclusion of high-profile names like Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Artur Beterbiev, Daniel Dubois, or Anthony Joshua could also impact the prioritization of the previously announced fighters. Habib acknowledged that these new additions could take precedence in the development roadmap, but reiterated that the previously announced fighters are still firmly on the roster.As the Undisputed team continues to refine their plans for future content updates, fans can look forward to a steady stream of exciting new fighters joining the game's roster. With the promise of delivering an authentic and immersive boxing experience, the developers are poised to keep the Undisputed community engaged and eager for the next wave of additions.