While most online-focused games these days are released as free-to-play (F2P) and rely on cosmetics, themed items, and more to generate revenue, not everyone is on board with that business model regarding new releases.
Sloclap, the studio behind the successful brawler Sifu, doesn’t think every game needs to be F2P to be successful. The studio is applying this to its in-development soccer game, Rematch, which will be released as a premium title with a price tag of $30.
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Sloclap Never Considered F2P For New Game In Development
Speaking toPC Gamerduring a recent studio visit, Creative Director Pierre Tarno mentioned that he doesn’t think online games need to be free to achieve commercial success; they need to be good.
Tarno mentioned, “I never considered free-to-play,” and added, “One of the things I love about making games is that there is no secret formula or anything, but the best way—or maybe actually the only way—to make a commercial success is to just make a very good game.”
Further explaining the studio’s point of view, Tarno doesn’t think releasing an online game that isn’t F2P in today’s climate means it’s dead on arrival if it’s good enough and priced “reasonably.”
“My point is, if you make a game that’s good enough, that’s unique enough—even if players say, ‘Oh, it’s an online game with a competitive edge, it should be free-to-play otherwise it’s dead on arrival’—I think that’s not true. I think that if it’s original and solid, plus very reasonably priced, players will get it,” Terno emphasized.
While most might argue against Tarno’s logic, one game proved this idea works:Helldivers 2.Arrowhead Game Studios' latest release is a premium online game priced at $30, which has achieved massive success and relied on both unit sales and its live-service component to generate revenue.
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If you’re unfamiliar with Rematch, it’s a huge departure from Slocalp’s past titles, Absolver and Sifu, as it’s a 5v5 fast-paced soccer game that’s more focused on arcade elements than something like EA Sports FC.
Rematch will be released on June 19 for $30 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Will Sloclap find the same success as Helldivers 2? While being a sports game might prove to be a barrier of entry for some (non-sports fans), it could also be embraced by the soccer community. If so, it will establish an instant player base, which is what all online games are focused on right from the get-go.
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