New Challenges in the World of Competitive Shooters
- Rumbleverse, CrossFireX, and Knockout City have all shut down: These live-service games, despite their initial anticipation, were ultimately unsuccessful and forced to close their servers. This highlights the difficulties in launching and maintaining a successful competitive shooter in today’s market.
- The cancellation of Hyenas by Sega: Hyenas, a hero shooter developed by Creative Assembly, faced an even more unfortunate fate. It was canceled entirely before it even had a chance to shine. This decision by Sega is a clear indication of the challenges faced by new entrants in the competitive shooter genre.
- Fierce competition in the market: With established giants like Overwatch, Valorant, and Apex Legends dominating the landscape, new shooters have to offer something exceptional to stand out and gain a significant player base. Mediocrity is no longer acceptable, and players have high expectations when it comes to quality and innovation in these games.
The Need for Exceptionality
Launching a new competitive shooter is an uphill battle. The market is saturated with successful titles, and players have invested significant time and money into these games. To convince them to switch to a new shooter, developers must offer an experience that surpasses what they’re currently playing. It’s no longer enough to be average or slightly better; new shooters have to be exceptional to gain traction and maintain a dedicated player base.
The recent closures of Rumbleverse, CrossFireX, and Knockout City are prime examples of the harsh reality facing live-service games. Despite initial anticipation and marketing campaigns, these titles failed to deliver what players wanted, resulting in dwindling player numbers and ultimately leading to their demise. In a genre where the player base is crucial for the success and longevity of a game, failing to meet expectations is a one-way ticket to failure.
The cancellation of Hyenas by Sega is an even more sobering reminder of the challenges faced by new entrants in the competitive shooter genre. Despite being developed by Creative Assembly, a reputable studio known for hits like the Total War series, Hyenas never got the chance to see the light of day. This cancellation serves as a cautionary tale for developers and publishers, highlighting the risks involved in launching a new competitive shooter without a solid and unique selling point.
