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

Exciting news for gaming enthusiasts: Takashi Nishiyama, the visionary behind Street Fighter, is venturing into the world of boxing games. In collaboration with The Ring, a renowned boxing magazine, Nishiyama and his company Dimps are set to develop a new, untitled boxing game. The announcement came directly from Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, via his official X account. Alalshikh, who acquired The Ring in November 2024, shared the thrilling news on May 5, 2025.

The upcoming game promises to blend The Ring's authoritative knowledge of boxing with Dimps' extensive experience in creating iconic video games. This project will feature original characters and is poised to offer a fresh take on the boxing genre. Alalshikh expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing the strategic partnership between himself and Nishiyama, which aims to bring together their unparalleled expertise.

Dimps, led by Nishiyama, most recently released Freedom Wars Remastered in January 2025, a modern console adaptation of a PlayStation Vita title. With the new boxing game's development set to start soon, fans can anticipate a unique gaming experience that combines Nishiyama's creative flair with the sport's rich history.

The Saudi Arabian royal family's interest in the Japanese gaming industry has been growing, highlighted by their full acquisition of SNK's shares in April 2024. The Ring has also played a role in promoting SNK's upcoming title, Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, through a special boxing match collaboration at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on April 26, 2025. Nishiyama's past contributions to SNK, including the creation of the Fatal Fury series and work on the Metal Slug and King of Fighters series, further strengthen the ties between these gaming giants.

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Japanese fans have reacted with a mix of surprise and curiosity to the announcement of The Ring and Dimps' collaboration. Many are eager to see what Nishiyama will bring to the boxing genre, with reactions ranging from "What?!! I want to play it!" to questions about the game's final form. X user @ryo_redcyclone, known for his Street Fighter content, highlighted Nishiyama's past comments on focusing on street fighting due to the restrictive nature of established sports. He expressed curiosity about how Nishiyama will approach the rule-bound sport of boxing.

Concerns have been raised about whether the rules of boxing will limit Nishiyama's creative freedom, especially given the unconventional characters and moves in his previous works. For instance, Street Fighter's Balrog, a character resembling Mike Tyson, uses moves like kicks and the Buffalo Head, which clearly violate professional boxing rules. It remains to be seen whether The Ring and Dimps' new boxing game will lean towards realism or embrace rule-breaking creativity.