Indie Soccer Game 'Rematch' Scores Big on Game Pass: Did Sloclap Just Bend It Like Beckham?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Sloclap's *Rematch* has smashed expectations, racking up over 3 million players on Xbox thanks to Game Pass, proving that sometimes, the craziest ideas are the ones that actually score. Makes you wonder if this is a sign of the good ol' 'underdog studios making a splash' days?
Right, so Sloclap, the studio that gave us the face-meltingly awesome *Sifu*, decided to swap kung fu kicks for...soccer? I know, I know, it sounds about as likely as finding a decent cup of tea at a gaming convention. But here's the thing: it's *working*. According to a recent post on Xbox Wire, their new game *Rematch*, a third-person sports title where the ball isn't glued to your boots like in *EA FC*, has clocked up over three million players on Xbox alone since its Game Pass release. Three *million*!
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Jeff, three million? Big deal. *Fortnite* has, like, a billion." And you'd be right. But here's where it gets interesting. Sloclap is an indie studio. They don't have the marketing budget of a small country, or the brand recognition of, well, *EA*. Three million players is a *huge* win for them, especially considering some folks were initially scratching their heads at the idea of the *Sifu* devs making a soccer game.
*Rematch* throws you into 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5 matches, with a ranked mode for the ultra-competitive amongst us (you know who you are). The gameplay is all about skill; no magnetic balls here, mate. You've got to actually, you know, *aim*. It's like they're expecting us to use our brains! Imagine that.
And the best bit? This is just the beginning. Sloclap is only in Season 0, with heaps of “fun arcadey ideas” planned for future modes. Which is brilliant, because having a solid player base right from the get-go means they can focus on keeping the existing fans happy, rather than desperately trying to claw back players who've already buggered off to the next big thing. They just dropped a chunky update with a load of bug fixes, and Season 1 is on the horizon.
It's not clear how many of those three million players are Game Pass subscribers versus folks who actually bought the game outright (it'll set you back about $30). But I'd wager a fair few are enjoying it through the subscription service. Which makes you wonder, doesn't it? Are subscription services the future for smaller studios to find bigger audiences? Or will they just end up being swallowed whole by the big boys?
Whatever the answer, fair play to Sloclap. They've taken a punt on something completely different, and it's paying off. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to practice my virtual keepy-uppies. Maybe I'll see you on the pitch... or, more likely, being tackled into the sidelines. Either way, it'll be a laugh. Cheers to Game Rant for spotting this story.
Tags: Xbox Game Pass, Indie Games, Multiplayer Games, Sports Games, Sloclap
Original article: Game Rant