AEW Mulls New Developer After AEW Fight Forever's Disappointing Launch
October 2, 2024All-Elite Wrestling (AEW) is considering a change in game developers for its next video game following the mixed reception of AEW Fight Forever.
The game, which launched on June 29, 2023, faced criticism for being buggy, lacking modes, and having expensive downloadable content, leading to disappointment among fans.
Despite these challenges, AEW's future gaming strategy is still under discussion, with no final decisions made about a new partner.
Initially, AEW owner Tony Khan indicated that AEW Fight Forever would receive ongoing support, but recent reports suggest a shift in plans.
The game was originally expected to launch in fall 2022 but faced delays due to strained relations with developer Yuke's.
Upon release, AEW Fight Forever received below-average scores and failed to meet consumer expectations, prompting AEW to reassess its partnership with Yuke's.
The game's development reportedly went over budget and did not deliver on expectations, leading to speculation about the future of its support.
AEW has reached out to other developers to explore interest in future projects while conducting due diligence on potential partnerships.
Since AEW owns the rights to the Fight Forever build, they have the option to collaborate with a new developer while utilizing the existing Unreal Engine framework.
Despite a strained relationship with Yuke's, there remains potential for AEW to continue collaboration, as some parties are hopeful for improvement.
While some players appreciated the retro-style gameplay, many criticized AEW Fight Forever for its lack of polish and features, such as missing in-match commentary.
AEW's original contract with Yuke's included one year of post-launch updates, which has seen the release of four season passes and additional content.
Summary based on 8 sources
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Sources
Yahoo Tech • Sep 30, 2024
Report: AEW Strongly Considering New Video Game DeveloperTheGamer • Oct 1, 2024
AEW's Next Wrestling Game Might Get A New DeveloperGame Rant • Oct 1, 2024
Future AEW Video Game Could Be Making a Major ChangeWWE News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW Results • Sep 30, 2024
AEW reportedly "strongly considering" new partner for future video games - WWE News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW Results