Street Fighter Creator's Saudi-Backed Boxing Game Draws Japanese Reaction

Street Fighter creator Takashi Nishiyama is developing an original boxing game in partnership with iconic boxing publication The Ring. The announcement came via Turki Alalshikh's official X account, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, who acquired The Ring in November 2024.

A Legendary Partnership Forms

The upcoming untitled project promises to combine The Ring's boxing expertise with Dimps Corporation's game development prowess. Nishiyama's studio will bring its decades of fighting game experience to this original boxing IP.

Together with legendary Japanese game designer Takashi Nishiyama, I'm proud to announce an original boxing game presented by The Ring featuring new characters. Our partnership merges The Ring's boxing authority with Dimps' acclaimed game development legacy.

Dimps' most recent release was January 2025's Freedom Wars Remastered, an upgraded version of the PlayStation Vita title. According to Alalshikh's tweet, development on the boxing title will commence shortly.

Saudi Arabia's Growing Gaming Investments

The Saudi royal family has increased its engagement with Japan's gaming industry recently. In April 2024, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Foundation acquired SNK outright. The Ring Magazine previously collaborated with SNK to promote Fatal Fury: City of Wolves through a special boxing event at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 26, 2025.

Nishiyama's connection runs deep - as SNK's former employee during the 1990s, he created the Fatal Fury series and contributed to other flagship titles like Metal Slug and King of Fighters.

Top Fighting Games Collection

Fan Reactions and Expectations

Japanese gaming enthusiasts have responded with surprised enthusiasm to The Ring's collaboration announcement, expressing both excitement and curiosity about the final product.

X user @ryo_redcyclone, known for Street Fighter content, commented: "Nishiyama originally chose street fighting over regulated sports for creative freedom. Seeing him tackle boxing's rule-bound environment will be fascinating."

Many fans speculate how Nishiyama will balance boxing's technical rules with his signature creative character designs and unconventional movesets. While Street Fighter's Balrog draws inspiration from Mike Tyson, his illegal headbutts and kicks clearly violate boxing regulations.

The gaming community eagerly awaits details on whether this ambitious project will prioritize authentic boxing simulation or embrace Nishiyama's signature rule-breaking combat philosophy.