New eSports Boxing Game Coming Soon
For the first time since 2011’s Fight Night Champion, boxing will get its chance to become mainstream in the gaming world.
Steel City Interactive, an independent studio that appreciates the sport of boxing, has announced that eSports Boxing Club will be coming soon to a system near you. Available for PS4, Xbox and PC, the organization’s website states the following regarding the game:
“The ultimate boxing experience. Game-changing concepts have been introduced to bring you a world-leading boxing simulation, designed from the ground-up. eSports Boxing Club will feature a world of one punch-knockouts, a real gym network, corner management, tactics and realism.”
The game has been licensed by the British Boxing Board of Control. Features for it include a full career mode and the opportunity to fight for the Lord Lonsdale Belt. The idea is to work your way up to become a world champion. Already announced as characters are Frank Bruno and Ricky Hatton, with Paul Dempsey and Johnny Nelson as commentators.
British Super-Flyweight Champion Sunny Edwards will also be in the game, as he promoted it on social media:
First look at the new boxing game eSports Boxing Club. Really excited to be featuring on a boxing game dropping on PS4, Xbox One and Steam. Aswell as moving to the next gen consoles further down the line. #Showtime https://t.co/Jt67t5jg9q
— Sunny Edwards (@SunnyEdwards) April 19, 2020
One of the reasons for a boxing game taking a while to come to fruition is a result of image rights. Several big boxers are a part of different promotions, with not a lot of wiggle room for compromise. Steel City Interactive is looking to change all of that with some of the “deepest” RPG mechanics ever seen. In due time, there could be those interested in supporting it with funds.
As seen in the trailer, the crisp graphics are a result of Steel City teaming up with a 3D character modeling studio.
Since the initial release of Fight Night Champion, new boxing stars have debuted while some of the best have retired. The sport has grown and women’s boxing has gained a lot more prominence. The game would be much more modern compared to most games, from graphics to fights in general.
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has been the closest to create a boxing video game. He has been campaigning with EA for a new Fight Night game for a while.
🎮 Eddie Hearn discussing talks he’s had with EA SPORTS regarding a possible new Fight Night boxing game…
[🎥 @EddieHearn] pic.twitter.com/8JfzRD05p3
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) March 27, 2020
The launch date for eSports Boxing Club has not been released yet. More information should be revealed, including future fighters involved, as time goes on.