AEW's Gaming Future Uncertain as Developers Struggle to Deliver

According to an exclusive report from Insider Gaming, AEW is strongly considering finding a new development partner for their future video games. The report suggests that the company is dissatisfied with the performance of their recent release, AEW Fight Forever, which was plagued by budget overruns and underwhelming delivery.

Exploring the Challenges Facing AEW's Gaming Ventures

Dissatisfaction with AEW Fight Forever

The report from Insider Gaming indicates that AEW's decision-makers are not pleased with the outcome of AEW Fight Forever, which launched in June of last year to a mixed response. While the gameplay was praised as fun and easy to pick up, the lack of depth and various bugs were seen as major turnoffs for many players. The report further suggests that the developers were under pressure to "deliver something faster than what it should've been," leading to a rushed and subpar product.

Conflicts with Yuke's and Omega's Involvement

The issues between AEW and Yuke's, the game's developer, date back to before the official release of AEW Fight Forever. The report suggests that there were significant conflicts between the two parties, including the involvement of AEW EVP Kenny Omega. Omega was reportedly frustrated to the point of "hating" working with Yuke's, while others felt that Yuke's was trying to "take advantage" of Omega due to his inexperience in game development.

Exploring Alternative Paths Forward

According to the report, AEW is now exploring various options for the future of their gaming ventures. Prior to the launch of AEW Fight Forever, there were internal discussions about whether to continue with the game with Yuke's, bring it over to a new developer and either build on what's been done or start from scratch, or leave the console market and focus on mobile gaming. The report suggests that while many within the company want another shot at a console game, the ultimate decision will depend on the willingness of the decision-makers to trust a new development partner.

Ownership and Potential for a New Game

The report from Insider Gaming notes that AEW owns the rights to the build for AEW Fight Forever, which was developed using Unreal Engine 4. This means that the company could potentially bring the game over to a new developer and build upon the existing foundation. However, given that AEW Fight Forever went significantly over budget and did not turn a profit, it is unlikely that the company would opt to start a new game from scratch. The report suggests that any future game would likely involve a new development partnership and a carefully negotiated deal.

Uncertainty Surrounding AEW's Gaming Future

The Insider Gaming report concludes by emphasizing that the discussions around AEW's gaming future are still in the early stages, and no final decisions have been made. The company is currently weighing its options and exploring the possibility of finding a new development partner to work on future video game projects. The report notes that it is important to clarify that these are currently in the discussions stage, and the outcome remains uncertain.