Saudi-Backed Boxing Game: Will It Deliver? Japanese Fans React

Renowned game designer Takashi Nishiyama, the creator of Street Fighter, is working on a brand-new boxing video game in partnership with the long-standing publication, The Ring magazine. This announcement was made via the official X account of Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. Alalshikh acquired the American magazine The Ring back in November 2024.

According to the post, the upcoming untitled game will showcase original characters and blend "The Ring’s unparalleled expertise in boxing with game developer Dimps’ extensive experience in creating iconic games."

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.

This strategic partnership between myself and Nishiyama brings together our unmatched authority in… pic.twitter.com/LRWyyZzkpz

— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) May 5, 2025

Dimps is Takashi Nishiyama's own company. Its most recent release was Freedom Wars Remastered, an updated version of a PlayStation Vita title for modern consoles launched in January 2025. Alalshikh's tweet states that development on the boxing game will commence shortly.

In recent years, the Saudi Arabian royal family has significantly increased its investments in Japan’s gaming industry. Back in April 2024, it was confirmed that the Saudi Crown Prince’s foundation had acquired 100% of the shares of Japanese game developer SNK. The Ring Magazine has also collaborated in promoting SNK's upcoming Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, organizing a special collaborative boxing match at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26, 2025. Notably, Nishiyama himself was previously employed at SNK in the 1990s, where he originated the Fatal Fury series and contributed to major SNK franchises like Metal Slug and King of Fighters.

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The announcement of The Ring and Dimps collaboration has so far elicited varied reactions in Japan, ranging from shocked exclamations like “What?!! I can’t wait to play it!” to curiosity about the final game.

@ryo_redcyclone, an X user who often shares Street Fighter content, commented on the news: “Reflecting on the first Street Fighter, Nishiyama explained, ‘I focused on street fighting because organized sports are bound by rules.’ Given that he’s now developing a game based on boxing—a sport with clear regulations—it will be intriguing to see the final result.”

A common point of discussion is whether the structured rules of boxing might limit Nishiyama’s signature creativity, especially considering the diverse and unconventional characters and moves seen in his earlier fighting games.

Although Street Fighter includes the Mike Tyson-inspired Balrog, his kicking attacks, not to mention his Buffalo Head maneuver, clearly defy official boxing regulations. It remains to be seen whether the new game from The Ring and Dimps will adopt a realistic simulation or a more stylized, rule-bending approach.