Rematch Scores Big with... Folks Who Don't Even *Like* Soccer? Bloody Hell!
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
*Rematch*, the surprise hit sports game, is apparently being played by loads of people who aren't even into soccer, which is wilder than finding a vegan butcher. Sloclap's secret? Making a game that's fun to play, even if you think 'offside' is a weird way to describe being out of the loop.
Right, so Sloclap, the legends behind the brutal-but-brilliant *Sifu*, decided to punt out a sports game called *Rematch*. Seems normal enough, yeah? Except, according to them, loads of people are playing it who couldn't give a toss about football (or soccer, if you're that way inclined). I've been scratching my head about this all morning, and fair dinkum, it's a head-scratcher.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Sloclap CEO Pierre Tarno dropped the bombshell that their data shows *Rematch*'s player base aligns more with, and I quote, "those who play online competitive games rather than those who are fans of football." So, less chanting in the stands, more… rage-quitting online? Sound about right?
Now, this is where it gets interesting. *Rematch* actually managed to outpace *EA Sports FC 25* (the rebranded FIFA, for those living under a rock) in concurrent players. How, you ask? Well, Tarno reckons it's because real-deal soccer fans are probably sticking with the more 'authentic' experience of EA's title, while *Rematch*'s less-than-realistic, more arcade-y vibe appeals to a wider gaming audience. It's the *Rocket League* effect, but with actual feet instead of rocket boosters.
And here's the kicker: it's not just the players. Tarno admitted that "loads of people in the team don't really care about football at all." That's like finding out the head chef at a Michelin-star restaurant hates food! Makes you wonder what *Rematch* would be like if it was designed by die-hard football fanatics, doesn't it?
Apparently, the *Sifu* and *Absolver* combat systems were the secret sauce behind *Rematch*'s gameplay. So, instead of meticulously recreating every rule and regulation of professional soccer, they focused on making it feel good to *play*, even if you don't know your offsides from your own backside. Genius, I reckon.
Sloclap's also banking on word-of-mouth and continuous updates to keep the momentum going. They've got tournaments and crossplay planned, which is always a winner. Will it be enough to keep the non-soccer fans hooked? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: *Rematch* is proof that sometimes, the best way to make a soccer game is to forget about soccer altogether. Who knew?
Tags: Rematch, Sloclap, Indie Games, Sports Games, Gaming News
Original article: Game Rant