WWE's video game division returned to form earlier this year via the launch of WWE 2K22. The series was effectively placed on hiatus for a year as the backlash directed towards WWE 2K20 was so fierce, WWE 2K21's devlopment was promptly canceled in favor of taking more time to make a game that would get fans back on side. 2K22 certainly isn't perfect, but it was definitely the right call.
A September Release Date
WWE 2K22 needed to be good for a number of reasons. Not only to make reparations for 2K20, but also because the arrival of AEW's first console game is on the horizon. According to a new report from Fightful Select (via Wrestling Inc.) that horizon might be closer than we initially thought. While tentative, the current target release window for the AEW game is September of this year.
One of the key pieces of the puzzle AEW needed to put in place was a publisher, which has now been done. It's believed the reveal of who that publisher is will be coupled with some other details, including a potential release date. Timeframes for the game's launch have been teased before. More than a year ago, Kenny Omega, who is heavily involved with its development, said he hoped it would be here within the year.
A Big Reveal Is Coming
While that target wasn't hit, the new September window appears to be a much firmer one. Even if it doesn't quite hit that goal, it seems likely AEW's first game will be here before the end of 2022, or perhaps at the start of 2023. If AEW can get its game out into the wild by September, or shortly after, it would mean not having to go head-to-head with whatever WWE 2K has coming our way next.
Omega has already been open about AEW's inability to match what 2K can offer. Even with Yuke's on board, a devlopers that has helped create WWE games for decades, AEW's game simply won't look as good as anything from WWE 2K. Speaking of 2K, there has been no word on what's next from the studio. Whether it will go back to annual releases or continue to give itself more time to create WWE games. There was talk that WWE had approached EA about creating future games, but a visit by 2K higher-ups to WWE HQ appears to have squashed those rumors for now.
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