In a fast-paced and unforgiving world, where characters dance on the line between reality and pixels, gamers worldwide just received a bittersweet announcement. Think of this like a classic heel turn in the wrestling ring, like how Jimmy Uso went ahead and betrayed his twin brother, Jey Uso, out of nowhere – unexpected, sudden, and with the potential to change the game (pun absolutely intended).
Now, for those in the back, let’s break it down a notch. WWE 2K22, that brilliant brawler of a game that made its way to our consoles in March 2022, has its servers walking the proverbial plank.
The official WWE 2K Twitter account announced, in a move reminiscent of the recent plot twist that saw The Rock come back to the WWE after so many years, that it will discontinue the servers of WWE 2K22 effective January 3, 2024. It’s like telling wrestling fans that the famed Undertaker’s Streak was ending – we all knew it was a possibility, but to actually hear it? That’s a different body slam of emotions altogether.
Attention WWE 2K community:
WWE 2K22 servers will be discontinued as of January 3rd, 2024.All online modes & functions, including online matches & community Creations, will no longer be available.
Now is the perfect time to upgrade to #WWE2K23
Thank you for all the support! pic.twitter.com/jRF6s73bLO— #WWE2K24 (@WWEgames) September 29, 2023
Does this mean gamers must now say goodbye to all the online modes and functions they enjoyed, including the online matches and community creations? Well, in the tongue-in-cheek humor of WWE commentary – yes, yes it does!
Given that the successor, WWE 2K23, graced the gaming community’s eager hands last March, there’s a sly nudge from 2K Games encouraging players to upgrade. In wrestling terms, it’s like WWE subtly pointing at the WrestleMania sign.
However, for those who’ve grown fond of their WWE 2K22 experiences, there’s still a tad bit of sunshine. Picture it as a dramatic kick-out at two; there’s still a window, albeit limited, to enjoy the game’s multiplayer components. All the WWE 2K22 locker codes remain active for those in the know, but with the online functionality taking a bow, it might be the perfect opportunity to see what the new kid on the block, WWE 2K23, is flaunting.
And flaunting it is! WWE 2K23 is boasting shinier visuals and snazzier combat mechanics for avid wrestling aficionados. Think of it as the equivalent of watching a perfectly executed “RKO Outta Nowhere” – you didn’t see it coming, but now that it’s here, it’s a sight to behold.
But, here’s a plot twist in our gaming narrative. Some feel that 2K Games’ decision to pull the plug on older titles soon after a newer release can feel like a forced tap-out, urging everyone to upgrade. To play devil’s advocate, perhaps it’s a tad ambitious to wish for additions to the current game instead of annual fresh releases. As the WWE Universe knows all too well, with its frequent roster changes and drama, by the time the game drops, aspects feel outdated faster than you can say “Stone Cold Stunner.
Interestingly, while 2K Games follows its annual ritual, other players in the field, like Yuke’s and AEW, explore a “live-service” model for AEW: Fight Forever. This feels like an opportune moment to echo the sentiments of many a gamer: Wouldn’t it be ideal if companies tinkered and improved existing titles, rather than throw a new one into the ring every year?
Regardless of where you stand here, the fact remains that WWE 2K22 is about to hang up its boots.
Hopefully, someone over at 2K and Visual Concepts out there is listening to the feedback and consider extending the lives of every entry. Or, at the very least, make each new installment substantially better than the last one to make them worth upgrading to.
