Wrestling games have been a mainstay of the video game industry since its earliest days. As the sport has evolved, so too have its video games. Gamers have been able to put themselves in the ring in a way that really makes them feel like their favorite professional wrestlers. Much like professional wrestling itself, the WWE has been at the forefront of wrestling video games, through all of its best and worst releases. Now, after a little too much of the latter, WWE 2K22 is preparing to release and give wrestling fans another game that they can be proud of.
Unfortunately, it seems that the release of WWE 2K22 might not go as planned for its developer or fans. There are a lot of expectations for this year's game, and while trailers have promised that this year's game will differ from past disappointments, a few wrenches have been thrown into development from various directions. There seems to be more things working against WWE 2K22 than for it at this point, to the point where the rest of WWE 2K22's development is going to be in very tricky situation until launch.
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Before WWE 2K22 was formally announced, it was put in a pretty hard place in regards to improving on the greatly maligned WWE 2K20. The game was practically unplayable, and it's part of the reason why 2K skipped a year and supported the release of WWE 2K Battlegrounds. Now that the franchise is returning to its usual format, many fans will want to know that this version won't be as messy as the last. The jabs that WWE 2K22 has taken at 2K20 would imply that this coming installment will learn from the last, but there is sure to be some amount of skepticism until the game is out in the wild.
One of the biggest issues that WWE 2K22 is facing, is unfortunately one that is completely out of its control. As a result of numerous factors ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to internal issues, the WWE has been losing a lot of its talent over the last year. As recently as a few days ago, the company released Bray Wyatt, one of its biggest headliners from the past ten years. This effects WWE 2K22 immensely, because any wrestler that leaves the WWE needs to be removed from the game's roster. Not only does this risk extending development, but it could greatly discourage fans that wanted to play as a certain wrestler.
On top of all of the internal problems that have put WWE 2K22 in an uncomfortable position, the game is now facing opposition the likes of which the WWE as a whole hasn't encountered in a long time. All Elite Wrestling, or AEW, may seem small in comparison to the WWE, but it has quickly amassed a following that could threaten the WWE. The AEW's main weapon against the WWE is that much of AEW's wrestlers formerly worked for the WWE, and they have no issue using the company's tricks against them.
Part of that experience with the WWE includes the world of video games, which AEW is leveraging with a game of its very own. The game has gone so far as to enlist the help of former WWE game developer Yuke's, driving home how AEW has been using some of the WWE's biggest strengths against it. This now gives WWE 2K competition that it hasn't had to deal with, and if it releases close to 2K22, it could threaten the game's sales.
WWE 2K22 was announced with the promise that it would be improving on the mistakes that the last game made. While this was certainly a hopeful declaration for players that remember when wrestling games were at their best, it now seems that WWE 2K22's release might not go as planned. There's still some time for developer Visual Concepts to make appropriate changes to the 2K22 roster and other mechanics before launch, but at this point it would be surprising if WWE 2K22's release went off without a hitch.
WWE 2K22 is in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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