When AEW Fight Forever made its debut in 2023, it garnered a decent amount of praise from fans who appreciated its retro wrestling style despite some rough edges. However, over time, this enthusiasm waned as players grew frustrated with the game’s declining quality and content, often due to delayed updates. Now, with the recent release of its last DLC pack, it seems the game has reached its final form, with no further updates expected.
During the early development stages, there were murmurs of tension between All Elite Wrestling (AEW) management and the game’s developer, Yuke’s. Reports even suggested that AEW was exploring other developers for future projects. Though it’s disappointing to see the game’s trajectory, there’s a silver lining for AEW. They could leverage their relationships with other wrestling organizations for their next gaming venture.
AEW boasts a stellar roster, featuring stars like Kenny Omega, Mercedes Moné, and Jon Moxley. By opening what’s known as the “forbidden door,” they’ve collaborated with various wrestling groups, enriching their shows with international talent from Japan and Mexico. This strategy not only adds diversity to their events but also attracts a global fanbase.
Let’s dive into some of AEW’s existing partnerships, which include:
– New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
– DDT Pro-Wrestling
– Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (TJPW)
– Pro Wrestling Noah
– World Wonder Ring Stardom
– Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)
Should AEW be working on a successor to Fight Forever, it’s a perfect chance to feature talent from these partner promotions. Imagine the likes of NJPW stars Zack Sabre Jr. and Hiromu Takahashi joining the roster, or CMLL’s Mistico, who has already made appearances in AEW. The door is open for more luchadors to get the spotlight too.
The collaboration with Stardom brought Mina Shirakawa into a thrilling storyline with Toni Storm and Mariah May. AEW could also highlight talents like Mayu Iwatani and Tam Nakano. Similarly, TJPW stars Maki Itoh and Miyu Yamashita are grabbing fans’ attention. DDT and Noah have introduced stars like Konosuke Takeshita and KENTA to AEW, proving instrumental in shaping top wrestlers.
Featuring these wrestlers in a new video game could elevate the experience, offering a diverse roster that might even surpass the popular WWE 2K series while highlighting AEW’s current superstars. This move would not only preserve the legacy of these athletes but also attract fans of Japanese and Mexican wrestling to explore AEW’s gaming offerings.
It’s unclear if AEW’s next project will be a direct sequel to Fight Forever, as fans are eager for another console game beyond their mobile releases. Whatever the future holds, AEW has the chance to incorporate valuable lessons from Fight Forever to produce something extraordinary for its audience. With a rich tapestry of storylines, from Toni Storm’s saga to the feud between Adam Page and Swerve Strickland, AEW has the material to craft an engaging game. They could even document their history, celebrating iconic matches from the past seven years to spark nostalgia among their long-time fans.
