Summary

  • AEW is considering a new game developer for its next video game.
  • AEW Fight Forever faced budget issues, delays, and mixed reviews.
  • It is uncertain if Yuke's will provide more DLC for AEW Fight Forever as AEW explores new options in gaming.

All-Elite Wrestling may be switching to a different developer for its next video game after the lukewarm reception of last year’s AEW Fight Forever. To compete with the WWE 2K series, AEW recruited Yukes, the studio behind classic wrestling games like WWF No Mercy, to recreate the more arcade-style action of the grappling sims of old. The result was AEW Fight Forever, which was released in June 2023.

However, AEW Fight Forever didn’t quite take the gaming world by storm like its parent company had hoped, being met with mixed reviews at launch and a divisive reception that has only continued as Yukes released additional playable wrestlers and game modes. While many players welcomed AEW Fight Forever’s more retro-style gameplay, its overall lack of polish and limited presentation (such as having no in-match commentary) have left many wrestling fans wanting more. Earlier this year, AEW owner Tony Khan said that AEW Fight Forever would continue getting support, but more recent insider accounts paint a potentially different picture.

According to Insider Gaming, multiple sources claim that the higher-ups at All-Elite Wrestling are “strongly considering” finding a new developer for its next mainline console game on account of reported issues during AEW Fight Forever’s development. One of these sources says that Fight Forever went over budget and under-performed at launch. This comes on top of the numerous issues and delays that befell AEW Fight Forever during its development cycle, with a previous report from Insider Gaming saying there was pressure on Yuke’s to get the game out sooner than “it should’ve been.”

The Next AEW Game Might Have a New Developer

AEW’s original contract with Yukes’ called for at least one full year of updates for AEW Fight Forever, which seems to have been fulfilled with the latest DLC pack that added big-name AEW wrestlers like Jay White, Samoa Joe, and WWE Hall of Famer Adam Copeland. While there are still plenty of popular AEW stars that haven’t been added to Fight Forever’s roster, such as Will Ospreay and Mercedes Mone (formerly WWE’s Sasha Banks), it remains up in the air if Yuke’s is planning any further DLC.

If AEW is indeed considering employing another developer for a future licensed video game, then AEW Fight Forever might not be getting any further support after all. While WWE seems to have found its footing in the gaming world thanks to successes like WWE 2K24, its rival All-Elite Wrestling could be heading back to the drawing board following the mixed reception of its initial foray into virtual wrestling.

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AEW Fight Forever Tag Page Cover Art

AEW Fight Forever
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Wrestling
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Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 65 /100 Critics Rec: 37%
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Released
June 29, 2023
ESRB
m
Developer(s)
Yuke's
Publisher(s)
THQ Nordic
Engine
Unreal Engine 4
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer
Number of Players
1-2
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Developed by YUKE’S Co., Ltd., creators of numerous, multi-million unit selling wrestling games, AEW: Fight Forever combines arcade-wrestling game feel with innovative All Elite Wrestling finishers and tandem offensive moves. The All Elite Wrestling promotion is currently taking TNT and TBS networks by storm every week with their Rampage and Dynamite shows, featuring some of the biggest legends to enter the ring plus a stable of brand new, high-flying, AEW talent. AEW: Fight Forever brings more than 50 of the best of the best from that talent roster together in one game! Online co-op wrestling is going completely next level in Fight Forever with Tag Team matches that feature sequences of team maneuvers performed with simple commands. More than 10 different game modes, including Unsanctioned Lights Out and Falls Count Anywhere PLUS more than 40 weapons, deep customization, career mode, and mini-games all await in AEW: Fight Forever!

Split Screen Orientation
N/A (Shared Screen)
Genre(s)
Wrestling
PS Plus Availability
N/A
Local Co-Op Support
1-2 Players
OpenCritic Rating
Weak