Why AEW's Stadium Stampede Failed to Seize Its Greatest Opportunity

Highlights

AEW Fight Forever's Stadium Stampede Battle Royale mode could benefit from a free-to-play release to attract more players and reduce the number of bots in matches.

Because there is no crossplay support and the gameplay is limited to online-only, a considerable number of bots rather than real players are present in many Stadium Stampede matches within AEW Fight Forever.

As AEW Fight Forever is still under development, upcoming enhancements are anticipated, including the optimization of the Stadium Stampede Battle Royale mode.

AEW, also known as All Elite Wrestling, is widely recognized as the world's second largest wrestling promotion. Renowned for its captivating storylines and unique matches, AEW incorporated these elements into its inaugural video game, AEW Fight Forever. Finally, fans had the opportunity to assume the roles of their beloved AEW wrestlers, participating in thrilling matches such as the Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match and, most recently, the Stadium Stampede Battle Royale.

The initial Stadium Stampede match debuted during AEW: Double or Nothing 2020, featuring a 5v5 contest within the confines of the TIAA Bank Field stadium. Wrestlers utilized weapons and vehicles to gain an advantage, resulting in an outrageous concept that delivered countless memorable moments to AEW fans worldwide. However, while gamers eagerly anticipated the inclusion of the Stadium Stampede Battle Royale in AEW Fight Forever, the game mode unfortunately overlooked a significant opportunity.

AEW Fight Forever's Stadium Stampede Can Benefit From a Free-to-Play Release

AEW Fight Forever introduced the Stadium Stampede Battle Royale on August 24, deviating from the original 5v5 format by involving 30 wrestlers who compete until a single victor emerges. This game mode resembles a typical battle royale, where participants engage in combat within a circular area and employ weapons to diminish their opponents' health. This unique approach stands apart from the dominance of popular shooters such as Fortnite and Apex Legends in the genre.

Although the initial excitement surrounding AEW Fight Forever may have subsided following its release, some individuals noticed a resurgence in player activity driven by the desire to partake in the Stadium Stampede Battle Royale. However, they swiftly encountered the game mode's drawbacks, particularly the abundance of computer-controlled opponents in their matches.

One reason for the presence of bots in AEW Fight Forever is due to the game's lack of crossplay and its exclusive online-only format. As a result, only players using the same consoles can compete against each other, leading to a high likelihood of encountering bots as opponents. Many players have mentioned that they have yet to participate in a Stadium Stampede match where all 30 wrestlers were controlled by real people. In fact, some have observed that the majority of their lobbies consisted of bots, with fewer than 10 actual players. (Note: The Stadium Stampede Battle Royale requires a minimum of two players.)

In addition to implementing crossplay, AEW Fight Forever could also consider releasing the Stadium Stampede Battle Royale as a free-to-play option. This would enable a larger player base, including individuals who may not be wrestling fans, to populate the 30-player lobbies. Similar to other battle royale games, such a mode relies on a substantial player count to ensure matches are not dominated by bots. Furthermore, this could open up the potential for multi-team Stadium Stampede matches, resembling the trios format seen in games like Apex Legends.

Having a free-to-play release for AEW Fight Forever may require a separate standalone title, which could take time to develop. However, it could be a worthwhile risk to fully capitalize on the Stadium Stampede's battle royale style. Furthermore, a free-to-play approach could attract more attention to AEW Fight Forever in the future.

Although AEW Fight Forever is still a relatively new release, it is a work in progress according to AEW talents like Kenny Omega. Players can expect improvements to the game in the coming months, including the optimization of the Stadium Stampede Battle Royale. However, if the game continues to struggle with filling lobbies with 30 players, this unique battle royale may not reach its full potential.

AEW Fight Forever is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.