There's no denying that WWE 2K20 was a flop, with the game getting scathing reviews from critics back when it launched in 2019. The WWE 2K20 backlash was severe enough that 2K Sports decided to put the annual pro wrestling franchise on ice, delaying the next entry in the series to give the developers a bit more time than they usually have. While this decision has been well-received by fans who are anxious for the WWE 2K games to improve, a new report indicates that it has potentially caused some strife between WWE and 2K Sports.
A report by Sports Gamers Online, citing "multiple sources" at 2K Sports and Visual Concepts, says that WWE and 2K Sports have been "going back and forth" about the recently announced WWE 2K22 delay. According to the report, WWE wanted the WWE 2K22 video game to be released in its usual fall release window, but those at 2K Sports ultimately decided to push the game back to March 2022 instead.
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The WWE 2K22 release date delay is apparently due to a variety of factors. WWE has released numerous superstars recently, including high profile talent like Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt, and it seems that those cuts are, understandably, having an impact on the WWE 2K22 roster. One of Sports Gamers Online's sources went as far as to say that WWE 2K22 could have the most outdated roster ever.
Besides disagreements over the WWE 2K22 release date delay, it seems that WWE was also unhappy about the reception to WWE 2K20. WWE 2K20 reviews were overwhelmingly negative, and that game's poor quality could potentially have a negative impact on the franchise moving forward. After all, it stands to reason that someone burned by the shoddy product that was WWE 2K20 may be less willing to buy WWE 2K22 when it comes out.
As explained by Sports Gamers Online, the relationship between WWE and 2K Sports is "seriously strained" for these reasons, and it's gotten to the point where WWE has threatened to start working with a different company as well. It's unclear exactly how long 2K Sports has the rights to make WWE video games, though, so even if WWE is ultimately unhappy about WWE 2K22, it's possible that there will still be more WWE 2K video games before the wrestling giant potentially joins up with another partner.
This situation has reportedly resulted in some extra stress for the WWE 2K22 developers. Sports Gamers Online describes Visual Concepts as "underfunded and understaffed" and that there have been developers that are openly "angry" about the whole thing. Whether or not there's any truth to this report remains to be seen. The next big update on WWE 2K22 will come January 2022, so fans have a few more months to wait before they learn more about the game.
WWE 2K22 launches March 2022.
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Source: Sports Gamers Online
