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

Exciting news for fans of boxing and video games alike: Takashi Nishiyama, the renowned creator of Street Fighter, is teaming up with The Ring magazine to develop a brand new boxing game. The announcement came via the official X account of Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, who acquired The Ring in November 2024. This untitled game, set to begin development soon, will feature original characters and leverage The Ring’s authoritative standing in boxing alongside Dimps' extensive experience in crafting classic games.

Dimps, Nishiyama's own company, recently released Freedom Wars Remastered in January 2025, showcasing their continued commitment to delivering high-quality gaming experiences. The collaboration aims to blend The Ring's deep-rooted boxing expertise with Dimps’ innovative game development, promising a unique gaming experience.

The Saudi Arabian royal family’s interest in Japan’s gaming industry has been on the rise, highlighted by their full acquisition of SNK's shares in April 2024 by the Saudi Crown Prince's foundation. The Ring Magazine has already been involved in promoting SNK's upcoming game, Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, through a boxing match collaboration at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on April 26, 2025. Nishiyama’s history with SNK, where he developed iconic series such as Fatal Fury, Metal Slug, and King of Fighters, adds another layer of excitement to this new venture.

Japanese Reactions to The Ring x Dimps Collaboration

The announcement has sparked a range of reactions among Japanese gaming enthusiasts. Many are surprised and eager to see what this collaboration will bring to the table, with sentiments like “What?!! I want to play it!” and curiosity about the final product. X user @ryo_redcyclone, known for his Street Fighter content, commented on Nishiyama’s shift from street fighting to a sport bound by rules, saying, “Commenting on the first Street Fighter, Nishiyama said: ‘I chose to focus on street fighting because established sports are restricted by rules.’ 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 arisen regarding how boxing's strict rules might impact Nishiyama's creative freedom, especially given the unconventional characters and moves in his previous works. Street Fighter's character Balrog, for instance, clearly breaks boxing regulations with his kicks and the Buffalo Head move. It remains to be seen whether The Ring and Dimps’ new boxing game will opt for a realistic portrayal of the sport or embrace rule-breaking flair.

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