For years, Yuke’s was the sole developer of the WWE licensed video games. That changed abruptly last year when it was announced that the company would part ways with the current publisher of WWE titles, 2K Games. Since then people have wondered where the developer can realistically go, and well, as predictable as it might be it seems they’re staying in their wheelhouse.
If you aren’t aware, there was a new wrestling promotion that started in 2019 called AEW, All Elite Wrestling. It focuses on comedy wrestling and more over the top stunts than WWE tends to, and they had a stream yesterday to reveal they were working on several games for their brand. One of those was a “best in class” console game, which they showed some early footage of. It’s said to be more arcade-like than the more sim-based direction WWE titles have gone in alongside a more cartoony and exaggerated art style. Hideyuki Iwashita, who helmed WWF No Mercy (before WWE had to change its name) and Def Jam Vendetta, will be included in the titles though it’s unclear what his role will be in the end.
There’s no time frame or platforms given other than it will be a “console game.” Last year it was said Yuke’s was working on an alternative wrestling game to rival their own 2K series they were still working on. It’s not clear if this is that game or if they have something else down the pipeline. At the very least, we should be getting another mainstream wrestling game relatively soon.
