Why did 2K Games cancel WWE 2K21?
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and video games have had a long history with each other. With a large roster of wrestlers to choose from as well as a unique style of fighting game, there is a great amount of potential between the two. WWE video games are a perfect mashup, which leads some to wonder why WWE 2K21 was canceled.
While 2K20 and 2K22 exist, 2K21 doesn’t. But why? What caused 2K21 to be canceled?
A Rushed Title
The origins of this cancelation dates back to WWE 2K20. By all accounts, that title was considered one of the year’s worst titles and the worst WWE 2K title of all time. By then, WWE had ditched its developer Jukes and 2K Games had to find someone else to finish 2K20. The game was deemed a rushed product which would ultimately tank in sales and hurt the franchise’s reputation.
Once again, it always comes down to finances. The switchup of developers definitely didn’t help in this case, either. The lack of sales and terrible reviews tanked the prospects of a 2K21 and eventually put it out to pasture.
The Franchise After 2K21
Despite the cancelation of 2K21, the franchise went back to its annual release schedule in 2022 with 2K22. The game, while nothing special, was very much a comeback for the series. With the recent release of WWE 2K23, the franchise seems to be going along still, despite the fears following 2K21’s cancelation.
At the time, many believed it was a sign of the beginning of the end for the franchise. In reality, it was merely a blip caused by bad timing and bad products.
WWE 2K21 was canceled due to the failures of the previous title, which suffered heavily due to the switching of developers and the rush job it suffered under. 2K20 did poorly financially and as a result WWE and 2K decided to cancel 2K21.
***
CHECK OUT VENDETTA’S SHOP
SUBSCRIBE TO VENDETTA’S TWITCH
CHECK OUT MORE GAMING POSTS
