Saudi-Backed Boxing Game by Street Fighter Creator: Japanese Fans' Reaction

Exciting news has emerged for gaming and boxing enthusiasts alike as Takashi Nishiyama, the renowned creator of Street Fighter, ventures into a new project: a boxing game developed in collaboration with the iconic boxing magazine, The Ring. This announcement came directly from Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, via his official X account. Alalshikh, who acquired The Ring in November 2024, is set to blend the magazine’s authoritative status in boxing with the game development prowess of Dimps, Nishiyama’s company known for classics like Freedom Wars Remastered.

The upcoming, yet-to-be-titled game promises to feature original characters, merging The Ring’s deep-rooted knowledge of the sport with Dimps’ experience in creating engaging video games. Alalshikh expressed his pride in the strategic partnership, stating, "Together with legendary Japanese video game designer Takashi Nishiyama, I am proud to announce a forthcoming boxing game presented by The Ring featuring original characters." Development is expected to start soon, following the release of Dimps' latest project in January 2025.

The involvement of the Saudi Arabian royal family in Japan's gaming industry has been growing, highlighted by the acquisition of 100% of SNK's shares by the Saudi Crown Prince's foundation in April 2024. This connection is further solidified through The Ring Magazine's collaboration with SNK's upcoming Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, which included a boxing match event at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on April 26, 2025. Nishiyama's past at SNK, where he created the Fatal Fury series and contributed to titles like Metal Slug and King of Fighters, adds an intriguing layer to this new venture.

Japanese Reactions to The Ring x Dimps Collaboration

The announcement has sparked a range of reactions among Japanese audiences, from eager anticipation to curious speculation. Social media platforms have been buzzing with comments like “What?!! I want to play it!” as people express their surprise and interest in the upcoming game. @ryo_redcyclone, a frequent poster of Street Fighter content, reflected on Nishiyama’s past comments about his focus on street fighting due to the freedom from established sports rules. He noted, “This time he is making a game based on boxing, a sport with rules, so I’m curious to see how it will turn out.”

Concerns have been raised about whether the strict rules of boxing might limit Nishiyama’s creative flair, known for its quirky characters and unconventional moves, as seen in Street Fighter with characters like Balrog, who uses moves that would be illegal in professional boxing. The anticipation now centers on whether The Ring and Dimps’ new boxing game will take a realistic approach or break the mold with rule-defying gameplay.

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