EP. 121 - “Passion Isn’t the Problem: Why Boxing Games Struggle to Listen”

Cold Open

“There’s this narrative going around that fans don’t know what they want.
That feedback is noise.
That passion is disruption.
But if that were true, boxing wouldn’t exist the way it does today.
Fighters don’t survive by ignoring feedback. Trainers don’t either.
And games—especially sports games—don’t either.
Today we’re talking about why boxing games struggle to listen, why passion keeps getting framed as negativity, and what actually separates constructive criticism from chaos.”

Intro

Welcome to EP. 121
Brief recap of recent conversations online around boxing games, developers, and fans
Acknowledge the tension:
- Developers feeling attacked
- Fans feeling dismissed
Set the thesis:

“The problem isn’t that fans don’t know what they want.
The problem is that boxing games don’t have enough systems to absorb feedback correctly.”

Segment 1: Passion vs. “Attacks”

Talking Points

Why passionate feedback often gets mislabeled as hate
Difference between:
- Personal attacks
- System-level criticism
Boxing culture context:
- Fighters are criticized every fight
- Trainers break down mistakes frame by frame
- Judges, promoters, fans—all vocal

“If boxing itself worked the way some game studios want feedback to work, no fighter would ever improve.”

Key Line

“When someone is loud about realism, mechanics, or AI, that’s not sabotage—that’s investment.”

Segment 2: Do Fans Actually Know What They Want?

Reframe the Question

Fans may not design systems
But they experience systems
Players don’t need to code AI to recognize bad AI

Examples

Punch tracking
Stamina behavior
Knockdowns that don’t match momentum
Repetitive AI patterns

“You don’t need to be a chef to know the food is undercooked.”

Segment 3: The AI Conversation No One Wants to Have

Core Argument

Boxing games live or die by AI more than most sports games
Why:
- 1v1 spotlight
- No teammates to hide flaws
- Repetition exposes patterns quickly

Breakdown

What happens when AI is:
- Script-heavy
- Animation-first instead of decision-first
- Lacking adaptive tendencies

“You can’t patch immersion into a boxing game if the opponent doesn’t think.”

Strong Take

“Online modes don’t replace AI.
They expose how weak it is.”

Segment 4: Surveys, Feedback, and Trust

Why Surveys Matter

Fans feel heard
Data beats assumptions
Helps separate loud minorities from real trends

Risks

Poorly worded questions
Ignoring results
Using surveys as marketing instead of development tools

“A survey isn’t dangerous.
Ignoring it is.”

Segment 5: Sequel Talk While the Game Is Struggling

The Reality

Studios move on
Fans don’t forget unfinished business

The Mistake

Silence or vague messaging
Defensive posture

Better Approach

Acknowledge current flaws
Explain lessons learned
Show continuity—not abandonment

“People don’t hate sequels.
They hate feeling left behind.”

Listener Questions / Community Pulse

Sample Questions

“Is there always going to be a meta in boxing games?”
“Should realism ever be sacrificed for balance?”
“Why don’t boxers speak up more about boxing games?”

Short Answers

Meta exists, but it can shift
Balance should emerge from realism, not replace it
Many boxers don’t feel invited into the conversation

Thoughts

“Passion isn’t the enemy of progress.
Silence is.
Boxing games don’t need less feedback, they need better ways to listen.
Because the people arguing online?
They’re still here.
They still care.
And once that’s gone… it doesn’t come back.”

EP. 121 Extended Segment — Poe Addressing Egis Klimas

Opening / Context Setting (2–3 minutes)
“Egis, I saw your post—the one joking that I’m ‘coming back’ like a boxer from retirement. And yes, I get the sarcasm. I smiled. I mean, I’ve been around boxing long enough to know a jab when I see one. But here’s the thing: this isn’t a comeback. I never left. I’ve been in the ring, just behind the cameras and code, making sure that boxing is represented the way it should be.

Which brings me to the bigger question—if I can be questioned for trying to push the sport forward in games, why aren’t you more vocal about Undisputed? Money is involved, yes—but it’s more than just a balance sheet. Reputation, legacy, the sport itself… all of that is on the line.”

Segment 1 — Acknowledging Sarcasm While Establishing Responsibility (5–7 minutes)

Poe: “Look, the comparison to a boxer coming out of retirement? I get it. It’s funny. But there’s a key difference: boxers coming back often get applause for persistence, for risking it all to do what they love. And that’s exactly what I’m doing here. Except I’m not returning. I’ve been working consistently to give fans a game that respects boxing.”
Question: “So, why the jab at me? Is it really just sarcasm or a reflection of frustration?”
- Answer: “Honestly, I think it’s a little of both. And that’s fair. But if we want to talk fairness, let’s also look at accountability—especially for investors and leaders responsible for the product itself.”
Question: “Egis, why aren’t you as concerned about Undisputed?”
- Answer: “That’s the hard question. No one can shrug this off as ‘just a game.’ Money was spent, promises were made, and the boxing community invested their time and trust. If the game underperforms, it’s not just a product failure—it reflects on everyone involved.”

Segment 2 — Holding Investors Accountable (10 minutes)

Poe: “Investors like Egis have influence. If something is broken, we can’t just say, ‘It’s business, it’s normal.’ The reality is that boxing isn’t just a business—it’s culture. And when investors stay silent, the fans feel abandoned, the sport feels disrespected, and the credibility of the company erodes.”
Witty Take: “You wouldn’t watch a fight and stay quiet while a fighter takes a beating. Why is a game any different?”
Q&A Style:
- Q: “Shouldn’t investors stay out of creative discussions?”
  A: “Creative freedom is one thing. Accountability is another. When money, reputation, and boxing’s legacy are involved, silence isn’t neutrality—it’s negligence.”
- Q: “Is it unfair to call it negligence?”
  A: “No. Fans and boxers take their craft seriously. Investors are stakeholders in that craft too. If the community loses faith, the consequences aren’t just financial—they’re cultural.”

Segment 3 — Community Perspective & Feedback (8–10 minutes)

Poe: “Poe and I have been trying to give the fans a real voice. Constructive criticism isn’t negativity—it’s investment. Fans have ideas about AI, tendencies, stamina, knockdowns, and pacing because they live and breathe boxing every day. If developers or investors dismiss that, it’s like telling a coach, ‘Ignore the tape, just throw punches.’ It doesn’t work.”
Q&A Style:
- Q: “But some people say fans don’t know what they want.”
  A: “No one’s saying they need to code the AI. They just need to spot patterns and inconsistencies. Boxing fans are watching history, strategy, and technique. If the game fails there, it’s noticeable immediately.”
- Q: “So what about passion turning into complaints?”
  A: “Passion is messy, yes. But messy is better than silence when the sport is at stake.”

Segment 4 — Bigger Picture: Money, Legacy, and Culture (7–8 minutes)

Poe: “Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about money. It’s about how boxing is represented in the public eye. A bad game misrepresents fighters, misrepresents the sport, and misleads fans. Investors can’t hide behind spreadsheets—they are part of that responsibility.”
Question: “So why does it matter to investors personally?”
- Answer: “Because legacy isn’t only on the ring or the screen—it’s on the people funding it. If Undisputed fails to reflect boxing faithfully, that’s not just a technical misstep. It’s a cultural misstep.”
Light Humor / Witty Touch:
- Q: “Are we overthinking a video game?”
  A: “Sure, if your idea of boxing is just button mashing. Otherwise… bring your gloves and pay attention. This is serious business.”

Segment 5 — Vision and Accountability Moving Forward (5–7 minutes)

Poe: “The work continues. We’re still here, still committed, still iterating. Fans need to feel heard. Boxers need to feel respected. Investors need to own their part in the process, not just sit back and hope it works out. That’s accountability.”
Closing Questions / Witty Beats:
- Q: “Do you think the community cares about investor responsibility?”
  A: “They should. Every dollar, every design decision, and every compromise reflects the culture of the sport. Fans notice when that balance is off.”
- Q: “Can you handle the heat from publicly asking these questions?”
  A: “I’ve trained in gyms where the heat could melt steel. This? Bring it on.”
Final Thought:

“Passion isn’t the enemy of progress—silence is. Fans speak up. Boxers speak up. Investors? They need to do the same. Poe and I are still here, still committed, still fighting for boxing to be represented accurately—and we won’t stop until it is.”

Poe Speaks His Mind About Boxing Videogames Podcast

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