For years, WWE games have ruled the sports entertainment video game market, pushing out AAA games at an annual rate. During this period of dominance, various other brands, such as TNA, put out their own wrestling games. However, those games were not able to attract the massive and loyal fanbase that the WWE titles held. With theAEWvideo game now in development, there are many reasons to be excited about a fresh take on the popular sports entertainment genre. However, for the game to successfully challenge WWE’s throne, there may be the need forAEWto acquire a partnership with a reputable publisher.
A solid publisher plays an important role in the success of any video game, as publishers not only deal with all the logistics for the game, but oftentimes also fund the game and ensure the right marketing spreads awareness prior to the game’s release. In the sports entertainment market, there are a few successful publishers that have reliably put out new games that were well met by players.ForAEWto turn into a real competitorforWWEgames, it will need the right publisher that is well known in this space, while also knowledgeable on marketing and distributing this type of game.
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Working with AEW Game Developer Yuke’s
Yuke’s are the current developers of theAEWgame,and are probably the best company to carry forwardAEWthanks to the experience the company has in creating the earlyWWEgames. Yuke’s also has a loyal fan base within theWWEgames market itself, as it has developed games such asWWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain, and theWWE 2K series up toWWE 2K19, which was hailed as the bestWWE 2Ktitle, until the release ofWWE 2K22.
While Yuke’s track record proves that it is more than capable of creating great wrestling games, the company is not well known for its publishing abilities. Its most known publications have been the video gameadaptations ofReal SteelandPacific Rim, which were not genre-defining games by any means. Since it is currently developingAEW, there is a strong possibility that future titles will be published in-house, but having an outside publisher like 2K Games would make more sense.
EA Sports
EA Sports is the most well-known and reputable sports publisher in the world today, with an unmatched catalog that has provided it with decades of success. The biggest reason for EA Sports to pick up the publication rights ofAEWwould be the failed acquisition of theWWElicense. Since it is already in the market for a sports entertainment title, and previously lost out at the chance ofpublishingWWEtitles for at least another year,AEWwould be a good choice for EA Sports if it wants to compete with 2K Games.
EA’s biggest downfall, the inconsistency of making meaningful changes and improvements to the overall game, has plagued its titles for years.FIFAandMadden NFLtitlesin recent years have suffered from this lack of changes and improvements that have rendered much of the game modes and gameplay stale. For a new title that will be competing against a favorite likeWWE 2K, especially after the success ofWWE 2K22,AEWwill need continued success beyond the first game.
2K Games
The current publishers of theWWE 2Ktitles may not be able to publish theAEWgame in 2023, but could pounce on the opportunity to publish future titles if it loses theWWEpublication rights. As mentioned,AEWneeds continued success to turn into a real competitor in the market, and 2K Games could help ensure that success.WithWWE 2K22, the company has already proventhat it is ready to take any means necessary to ensure that the games published meet the expectations of the fans, which is something that can truly elevate any new title.
The real problem with 2K being a plausible publisher is the high probability that it will retain itsWWElicense after the release ofWWE 2K23. ForAEWto be published by 2K Games, they would need theWWEfranchise to look for other publishers. However, with the success ofWWE 2K22and the possibility that future titles maintain this success, it is more than likely thatWWEwill remain with 2K Games for the foreseeable future.
AEWhas the potential to growinto a real competitor forWWE 2Kgames and drive a sharp improvement in the content put out from the entire sports entertainment genre. Having a competing game will compelWWE 2Ktitles to take innovative steps forward, and will undoubtedly make fans of both games extremely happy.
For the success ofAEWto turn into a reality, having a solid and reputable publisher is a must, which is why the best bet for the upcoming game would be EA Sports. While the company has not been the most reliable, it does have a huge fan base and will do what it takes to compete against 2K Games. That being said, there is a case to be made for in-house publishing, given the growing following thatAEWhas acquired.
AEWis in development for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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