WWE 2K22 developer’s Visual Concepts have proven that it is more than capable of making an entertaining wrestling game that recaptures the attention of fans and gamers around the world. The success of WWE 2K22 has made fans hopeful that WWE 2K23 will continue to be enjoyable while making significant improvements to areas of the game that need it. Now that Visual Concepts have gotten the formula to make the overall game better, its focus should shift to improving the AI mechanics that currently serve as one of the biggest flaws with WWE 2K22.
WWE 2K23 has a chance to deliver a complete wrestling game by keeping all the game modes, match improvements, and game physics that made the most recent title a success while improving the AI and its ability to provide players with fun matches. The AI in WWE games has been notorious for making poor decisions, using repetitive moves, and even not assisting players as managers or tag-team partners. It is the one area of the game that remains frustrating for fans, however improving it could finally deliver a complete WWE 2K game that can compete with older titles like Smackdown! Here Comes The Pain.
In-Ring Improvements
The in-ring mechanics of the AI in WWE 2K22 are often questionable, with the move variety, actions, and decisions all being problematic. These issues do not simply affect the enjoyment players get from fighting in a match, but can also hurt the ratings in both MyGM mode and Universe mode. Visual Concepts will need to focus more attention at ensuring that the AI is not only versatile, but also allowing each wrestler on the roster to have a unique personality outside looks and taunts.
Opening the door to allow for more variety in AI actions would be the first major step to improving the current system in WWE 2K22, though it seems more like a temporary solution. Allowing charismatic superstars to interact with the audience, or superstars stopping other AI when they are trying to get the briefcase in a Money in The Bank match would instill a sense of realism that the games have been missing for quite some time. Curating a unique AI to each wrestler, while time-consuming, would certainly elevate the experience that players will receive.
AI Manager and Tag-Team System
One of the most frustrating areas where the AI falls short is as a teammate for the player either in the form of a tag-team partner, or a ringside manager. The tag-team partner system is not as broken as the manager system is, but can definitely be improved to ensure that partners are willing to tag-in the player even while on top to give a sense of realism that is seen in the WWE. Quick tags, more tag moves, and better engagement, like distracting the referee, could all pay off and make tag-team matches a smoother ride for all fans.
The manager system, on the other hand, may require a serious overhaul, with ringside managers in WWE 2K22 doing almost nothing other than standing on the side and occasionally attacking opponents when they fall out of the ring. Previous titles included an AI that would often distract the referee with the risk of being sent backstage, or even helping out their team by picking them up and tossing them back in the ring before a count out. These changes alone could make managers more integral to the matches and could make them vital when players are creating a WWE 2K faction or tag-team. Like wrestlers, each manager should have a different personality, with certain ones tossing in weapons when the ref is distracted while others draw the attention of the referee themselves.
While WWE 2K22 was a great addition to the franchise, there are many areas where it can be improved and refined, with the AI arguably being the most important. Fixing the AI will not only make playing matches more enjoyable, but it can also elevate the AI vs AI matches that many fans love watching. With WWE 2K23 confirmed, fans are hoping to see significant changes to the AI to elevate not only exhibition matches, but also fix issues in MyGM, MyRise, and even Universe mode.
WWE 2K23 is in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.