Split Decision

ABOUT

Split Decision is a narrative boxing judge simulator with a branching storyline that twists and turns according to the player's decisions during fights. While learning the principles of their job, the player is gradually exposed to a hidden world of illegal gambling and match-fixing.

THE GAMEPLAY

The player sits by the side of the boxing ring, next to other judges with a task to choose a better fighter after each round. After the match is over, the judges submit their score and the winner is announced. The more in-line the player is with the other judges, the more reputation they get, receiving invites to more and more prestigious boxing events. Before and after each match, the player might be approached by other characters asking them to score in favor of one boxer or the other. Sometimes the player will be offered money in exchange, and sometimes they will try to appeal to the player’s compassion. Each choice the player makes during the games significantly changes the relationship to these characters.

ABOUT

The story begins with the player figuring out the mechanics of the main character’s job - however, they soon find out the main character is set to fail, and they must find other means to keep themselves out of the streets. The main character seeks empathy in the player, as they choose to fix matches in favor of extra money. The player might feel helpless at times, but they will also be presented ways to break the circle of corruption and bribery, or to become a leader in this dark world.

This game is for all lovers of storytelling games with multiple endings. This game offers a unique background into the world of sports that is gritty and realistic (or should we say, cynical) in its narrative, but abstract in its visuals and audio design. Sports, usually told from the perspective of the players and fighters themselves, are in this game shown through the perspective of boxing judges, usually shown in the background of a match if shown at all.