AEW’s Next Video Game Needs to Stand Out

AEW Fight Forever initially made a splash in 2023, with fans enjoying its nostalgic wrestling gameplay despite some rough edges. Over time, though, players noticed a dip in quality and a lack of fresh content, mainly due to delayed updates. With its latest DLC installment, it seems like AEW Fight Forever has reached its final form, as there are no more updates planned.

Whispers around the industry suggested tensions between All Elite Wrestling (AEW) management and Yuke’s, the developer of the game, during its early development. There were even rumors that AEW might be on the hunt for a new developer for future projects. It’s a bit of a letdown to see how things turned out with AEW Fight Forever, but this could be the perfect moment for AEW to leverage its other wrestling partnerships in its next gaming adventure.

AEW boasts a strong lineup featuring stars like Kenny Omega, Mercedes Mone, and Jon Moxley. By opening the "forbidden door" of wrestling, AEW has teamed up with other promotions to enhance its shows, bringing in international talent from Japan and Mexico and letting AEW wrestlers shine in various independent events. This strategy has not only enriched their roster but also expanded their global fanbase.

AEW’s Current Partnerships

• 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)

If AEW is planning a successor to Fight Forever, now’s the chance to include some exciting talents from these partner promotions, truly opening the “forbidden door” in a video game. Imagine featuring NJPW stars like Zack Sabre Jr. and Hiromu Takahashi, known for their dynamic performances. CMLL’s Mistico has already made waves in AEW, potentially paving the way for more luchadors to enter the spotlight.

Through its Stardom partnership, AEW introduced memorable storylines with figures like Mina Shirakawa and Toni Storm. Stardom also offers amazing talents like Mayu Iwatani and Tam Nakano. Similarly, TJPW’s Maki Itoh and Miyu Yamashita continue to capture fans’ hearts. DDT and Noah have also brought stars like Konosuke Takeshita and KENTA to AEW, nurturing some of the best in wrestling.

Featuring these names could dramatically elevate AEW’s next game, potentially surpassing the WWE 2K series with a diverse roster while celebrating AEW’s own superstars. This would not only honor these wrestlers in a significant video game outside of WWE but also attract fans from Japanese and Mexican promotions eager to play as their favorites.

While we’re unsure if AEW’s next venture will be a Fight Forever sequel, fans are hopeful for another console game following several mobile releases. Whatever form it takes, there’s hope AEW will apply lessons learned from developing Fight Forever. With rich storylines like the "Timeless" Toni Storm saga and the intense rivalry between "Hangman" Adam Page and Swerve Strickland, it would be thrilling to see these translated into a gaming experience. Additionally, AEW has the chance to showcase its complete history, highlighting iconic matches from the last seven years and appealing to the nostalgia of its loyal fanbase.