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AEW Fight Forever

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AEW Fight Forever
Cover art featuring various AEW wrestlers
Developer(s)Yuke's
Publisher(s)THQ Nordic
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)
ReleaseJune 29, 2023[1]
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

AEW Fight Forever is an upcoming professional wrestling sports video game developed by Yuke's and published by THQ Nordic. The game will be the debut title on home consoles and personal computers from American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It is scheduled to be released on June 29, 2023 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.[2][3]

Gameplay

Fight Forever features arcade-style gameplay, with nine match types in the launch version. These include singles match, tag team match, ladder match, Casino Battle Royale, and Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch.[4] The game also features online play and intergender wrestling, the first Yuke's game since WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 to do so.[5]

The game features a full creation suite, including wrestlers, entrances, and arenas. A career mode will allow players to take their own created wrestler through the AEW schedule. Fight Forever will also feature a variety of mini-games. During November 10, 2020, at the AEW Games 1.0 Special Event, Kenny Omega confirmed that the game would be a spiritual successor to games like WWF No Mercy and Virtual Pro Wrestling, with gameplay in the style and veins as the AKI engine that ran those games.[6]

Development

Several members of AEW management expressed interest in an AEW video game ahead of AEW Dynamite's debut episode in October 2019.[7][8][9] The game was officially announced on November 10, 2020, at the AEW Games 1.0 Special Event.[10] Yuke's was announced as the developer, having previously worked on multiple games for both NJPW and WWE, as well as Rumble Roses for Konami.[11] It would be their first wrestling game since WWE 2K19 in 2018. The reveal trailer featured AEW wrestlers Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and Hikaru Shida.[12] Hideyuki "Geta" Iwashita, director of WWF No Mercy and WCW/nWo Revenge, was also announced as the director.

Later that month, Hiromi Furuta, senior producer at Yuke's, stated that WWF No Mercy was a key influence due to its popularity with fans of the genre, and that Fight Forever was not intended to rival the WWE 2K series.[13] In June 2021, the first in-development gameplay video was released, including the reveal of Darby Allin. In September, another short gameplay video featuring Jungle Boy was released.[14] In February 2022, Kenny Omega stated that the game would feature cross-platform play.

Following the April 21, 2022 taping of AEW Dynamite, AEW founder Tony Khan told the live crowd that the title of the game would be AEW: Fight Forever.[15] This was formally announced on May 4, 2022, with the release of gameplay videos featuring Kris Statlander and Nyla Rose.[16][17] In June 2022, Omega stated in an interview with Fightful that the game was tentatively scheduled to release later that year.[18] Omega later confirmed that the game would be published by THQ Nordic.[19] In December 2022, Evil Uno revealed to Fightful that the game would launch with over 50 playable characters, with new roster members and game modes being added as downloadable content over time, likening it to No Man's Sky.[20]

Despite his departure from the company in February of 2022 and subsequent WWE debut at WrestleMania 38 the following month, former AEW talent and executive vice-president Cody Rhodes remains on the game's starting roster. When asked about Rhodes' continued presence in the game Kenny Omega responded that he was " very passionate about making sure [Cody Rhodes'] legacy and position within the company were preserved," and that "you get to experience AEW from the beginning, from day one," referencing Rhodes' involvement in the formation of AEW.[21] As a result of also being on the roster for WWE 2K23 Rhodes will be the first wrestler to appear in two professional wrestling games released the same year from competing promotions since Bret Hart and "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith appeared in both WWF War Zone and WCW/nWo Revenge in 1998.

Release

File:AEW Fight Forever original cover art.png
The cover art for the game at the time of its announcement prominently featured CM Punk.

On August 3, 2022, AEW and THQ Nordic released an official teaser for the game, along with the cover art featuring CM Punk, Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, and Jade Cargill.[22] However, following CM Punk's indefinite suspension following a backstage altercation at All Out, a new cover art without him was revealed in November, additionally featuring Sting, MJF, Orange Cassidy, Bryan Danielson, and "Hangman" Adam Page, alongside the wrestlers of the previous cover art.[23][24]

On August 12, 2022, a trailer at the THQ Nordic Digital Showcase featuring Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. and Tony Schiavone was revealed, with one-on-one gameplay, as well as a look at the different mini-games in Fight Forever.[25] It was also announced that a demo of the game would be playable at Gamescom, winning the award for Best Sports Game at the event.[26][27] On September 15, 2022, a demo was also playable at the Tokyo Game Show.[28]

In March 2023, at a press conference following the Revolution event, Tony Khan stated that Fight Forever was complete, and that they would announce a release date soon.[29] However, THQ Nordic community manager Per Hollenbo would clarify on his Twitter account that the game was not finished, and was still being prepared for release.[30]

On May 16, 2023, the achievements for the game were listed on Xbox platforms.[31] It was later discovered that players could force a pre-load on their console from the Xbox app.[32] On May 22, 2023, in a special video message from Kenny Omega, it was announced that Fight Forever would release internationally on June 29, 2023, with pre-orders and pre-loads officially commencing that same day.[33] The press release also confirmed an Elite Edition of the game, but did not specify the content that would be included.[34]

On June 1, 2023, two versions of Matt Hardy were announced as the pre-order character for the game, featuring both his standard and Broken Matt personas.[35] The contents of the Elite Edition was also revealed and made available for digital pre-order that same day. The edition contains the Matt Hardy pre-order bonus, one day early access, and the Season Pass which includes: FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood), Keith Lee, The Bunny, Hook, and Danhausen as well as four additional mini-games.[36]

References

  1. ^ "THQNordic Twitter Page". Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  2. ^ Dinsdale, Ryan (May 5, 2022). "AEW Wrestling Game Gets an Official Title: AEW Fight Forever". IGN. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  3. ^ Fanelli, Jason (May 4, 2022). "AEW Video Game Officially Called AEW Fight Forever, PC Version And Two New Wrestlers Confirmed". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; May 4, 2022 suggested (help)
  4. ^ "AEW: Fight Forever". store.playstation.com. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  5. ^ "AEW: Fight Forever - Official Site". aew.thqnordic.com. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  6. ^ AEW Games 1.0 Special Event, retrieved May 22, 2023
  7. ^ "The Young Bucks confirm there are plans for an AEW videogame". PCGamesN. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  8. ^ Cooper, Dalton (July 15, 2019). "AEW Video Game Teased by The Young Bucks". Game Rant. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  9. ^ Coulson, Josh (September 2, 2019). "Kenny Omega Teases That An AEW Video Game Announcement Is Coming Soon". TheSportster. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  10. ^ AEW Games 1.0 Special Event, retrieved July 3, 2022
  11. ^ "Game RELEASES". YUKE'S Co., Ltd. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  12. ^ All Elite Wrestling: The Game - Official Teaser, retrieved July 3, 2022
  13. ^ Harradence, Michael (November 24, 2020). "WWF No Mercy Cited As Key Inspiration For Upcoming AEW PS4, PS5 Title By Producer". PlayStation Universe. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  14. ^ AEW Console Game – Development Update: Jungle Boy Reveal, retrieved July 3, 2022
  15. ^ "All Elite Wrestling's New Game Is Named After A Crowd Chant And That's Too Sweet". Kotaku. April 21, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  16. ^ AEW Fight Forever – Dev Update: Kris Statlander Reveal, retrieved July 3, 2022
  17. ^ AEW Fight Forever – Dev Update: Nyla Rose Reveal, retrieved July 3, 2022
  18. ^ "Kenny Omega Provides Update On AEW Fight Forever, Hopeful For 2022 Release | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  19. ^ "Kenny Omega Confirms AEW: Fight Forever's Publisher | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  20. ^ "Evil Uno Provides More Details On AEW Fight Forever, Compares It To Deep Rock Galactic, No Man's Sky | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  21. ^ Casey, Connor. "AEW: A Current WWE Superstar Will Appear in the AEW Fight Forever Video Game". ComicBook.com. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  22. ^ AEW: Fight Forever | Announcement Teaser, retrieved August 11, 2022
  23. ^ Shirey, J Brodie (November 21, 2022). "AEW: Fight Forever Removes CM Punk From Game Cover After Suspension". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  24. ^ Murray, Sean (November 20, 2022). "CM Punk Has Been Removed From AEW: Fight Forever's Cover Art". The Gamer. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  25. ^ AEW: Fight Forever | Showcase Trailer 2022, retrieved August 16, 2022
  26. ^ "AEW Fight Forever will be playable for the first time at Gamescom 2022". Shacknews. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  27. ^ "AEW Fight Forever Wins Major Gamescom 2022 Award". WWE. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  28. ^ "AEW Fight Forever Had A Big Display For Tokyo Game Show". Gameranx. September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  29. ^ "411MANIA". Tony Khan Says AEW Fight Forever Is Finished, Won’t Announce Release Date Yet. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  30. ^ "THQ Nordic community manager denies claims that AEW Fight Forever is 'basically ready'". VGC. April 12, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  31. ^ "AEW Fight Forever Xbox Achievements Leaked". Yahoo Entertainment. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  32. ^ Taylor-Hill, Grant (May 17, 2023). "AEW Fight Forever: Entire Game At Risk of Being Leaked, It's Claimed". Insider Gaming. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  33. ^ AEW: FIGHT FOREVER RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT, retrieved May 22, 2023
  34. ^ "https://twitter.com/WrestlingNewsCo/status/1660634218072776704". Twitter. Retrieved May 22, 2023. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  35. ^ "AEW Fight Forever 'Elite Edition' Announced: Matt Hardy As Pre-Order Bonus, FTR, Keith Lee, More Set | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  36. ^ https://thqnordic.com/article/multifarious-matt-hardy-steps-aew-fight-forever-ring
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