AEW Reportedly “Strongly Considering” Partnering with New Developer for Future AEW Video Games

AEW reportedly is “strongly considering” working with a new game developer for future AEW video games, according to Insider Gaming.

Insider Gaming’s Mike Straw reported that his sources stated that AEW officials are “strongly considering” finding a new game development partner moving forward. Straw reported that the reason for this is due to the issues involving their AEW: Fight Forever video game that was developed by Yukes. One source spoken to reportedly stated “They [AEW] knows that things didn’t go the way they expected. The game was over-budget and it under delivered when it came out. It has AEW strongly considering moving to a new developer for their games.”

Straw reportedly that AEW’s original contract with Yukes included terms for one year of post launch updates for Fight Forever that came in the form of four season passes adding new wrestlers, moves, game modes, and venues. Straw reported that while the last DLC pack came out this past July adding Jay White to the in-game roster, there has been recent talks regarding the potential release of new DLC packs for recently signed wrestlers Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, and Mercedes Mone to be added to the game’s roster. Straw reported that it is unknown where those talks between AEW and Yukes currently stand.

In regards to AEW’s current focus for their gaming department, one source spoken to reportedly stated that AEW’s primary focus is around the gaming future as a whole. This source reportedly stated “Everything is on the table. There were some positives with the Yuke’s relationship, and some feel that with a foundation in place, another game could make things better rather than giving up after one attempt. But you can’t argue that there are concerns with how things went in the final year of the game’s development.”

In regards to AEW’s issues with Yukes’ development of Fight Forever, Straw reported that the issues between the two sides had dated back to before the game was released with AEW EVP Kenny Omega being frustrated to the point of “hating” working with Yukes. Others reportedly had felt that Yukes was trying to “take advantage” of Omega due to his inexperience around helping with game development.

One source spoken to reportedly stated “No one was really happy when the game came out. Even before launch, internal talks started 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 continue to focus on mobile. A lot of people in the company want another shot with a console game, but it only matters if the one signing the checks wants to trust them again.”

Straw reported that AEW currently owns the rights to the build for Fight Forever and would be able to bring it over to a new developer if they wanted to build on top of what was made for a new game. Straw also reported that it is unlikely that after Fight Forever went over budget and didn’t turn a profit that AEW would look to have another game built from scratch. Straw reported that this would be dependent on the kind of deal made by AEW with a new game development partner. Those spoken to reportedly stated “there are feelers out to some of the larger developers in the space, including some obvious ones, to see what the interest in wrestling games are. They are doing their due diligence before any decision is made.”