Saudi-Backed Fighter Game Sparks Japan Reaction

Renowned Street Fighter creator Takashi Nishiyama is teaming up with iconic boxing publication The Ring to develop an original boxing video game. Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh broke the news via his official X account, following his November 2024 acquisition of The Ring magazine.

The upcoming game will introduce original fighters while merging The Ring's boxing expertise with developer Dimps' established track record in classic game design, as mentioned in the announcement.

I'm excited to collaborate with legendary game designer Takashi Nishiyama on an original boxing title presented by The Ring magazine.

This partnership combines our authentic boxing knowledge with Nishiyama's game design legacy... pic.twitter.com/LRWyyZzkpz

— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) May 5, 2025

Dimps, Nishiyama's development studio, recently launched Freedom Wars Remastered for modern consoles in January 2025. The boxing project will commence development shortly according to Alalshikh.

Saudi Arabia's royal family has significantly expanded its investments in Japan's gaming sector. After acquiring SNK outright in April 2024, The Ring magazine partnered with SNK to promote Fatal Fury: City of Wolves through a special boxing event at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26, 2025. Notably, Nishiyama previously shaped SNK's legacy during the 1990s by creating the Fatal Fury franchise and contributing to Metal Slug and King of Fighters.

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The Japanese gaming community responded enthusiastically to The Ring x Dimps collaboration, with reactions varying from excited exclamations ("Seriously?! Can't wait to play!") to genuine curiosity about the final product.

Street Fighter enthusiast @ryo_redcyclone commented: "Nishiyama originally chose street fighting precisely because traditional sports have restrictive rules. It'll be fascinating to see his interpretation of regulated boxing."

Fans speculate whether boxing's regulations might limit Nishiyama's signature creative freedom, known for delivering unconventional fighters and outrageous moves in past titles.

While Street Fighter's Balrog draws inspiration from Mike Tyson, his kicks and Buffalo Head technique blatantly disregard professional boxing standards. This raises questions about whether the new title will embrace realism or Nishiyama's trademark rule-breaking gameplay.