Report: AEW Incurred $30 Million Loss on ‘Fight Forever’ Video Game Development
The future of All Elite Wrestling’s interactive gaming division has been a frequent subject of speculation, with fans and industry analysts alike questioning if—and when—Tony Khan might pursue a successor to the company’s debut title, AEW Fight Forever. However, new information suggests that the primary obstacle to a sequel may be a significant financial hurdle.
According to a report published Thursday by Insider Gaming executive editor Mike Straw, the promotion suffered a substantial financial setback regarding its first foray into the gaming market. Citing internal sources, Straw revealed that AEW incurred a “massive loss” of at least $30 million tied to the development and production of Fight Forever.
The financial strain was reportedly exacerbated by a tumultuous production cycle. Originally slated for a 2022 release, the game suffered from repeated delays, eventually launching in the summer of 2023 to coincide with the company’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view event.
“When games take that long, they take more to make,” Straw noted during his report. Beyond the bloated development budget, the title’s market performance failed to meet internal projections, with sales figures reportedly reaching only half of what the company had initially anticipated.
The state of the franchise remains in limbo. Currently, there is no active agreement between AEW and the game’s developer, Yuke’s, to collaborate on future projects. While AEW maintains ownership of the game engine—which could theoretically allow them to partner with a different studio—there is no clear path forward at this time.
Addressing rampant rumors regarding potential third-party licensing deals, Straw noted that he could find no validity to such claims, receiving confirmation from sources that there is no active movement on that front. Despite these setbacks, Straw suggested that the promotion remains interested in exploring the gaming space again “down the line.”
Whether these AEW losses will deter future investment or serve as a hard lesson learned in game development remains to be seen. For now, Fight Forever serves as a cautionary tale of the high risks associated with the professional wrestling video game market.
