'Video Game "Rematch" Blurs Genre Lines, Brings in Fortunes for French Production House'
In the highly competitive video game industry, where gamers have a near infinite number of options to choose from, a new soccer game has managed to stand out. Rematch, developed by independent French studio Sloclap, has captured the attention of both sports enthusiasts and non-sports gamers alike.
The game, which features a simplified version of soccer similar to the old FIFA Street games, has sold over 1.5 million copies across PlayStation and computer platforms at $30 each. Remarkably, many non-sports gamers have expressed enjoyment of Rematch despite having no interest in football.
Creative director of Rematch, Pierre Tarno, stated that the game aims to replicate the experience of playing soccer with friends. To achieve this, Rematch has no transfer fees, salary caps, sponsor negotiations, or player ratings, allowing players to focus on the core elements of soccer that make it an amazing game.
In Rematch, each user controls a single, equally gifted athlete, eliminating the need for complex team management. The gameplay is inspired by third-person shooter games and arcade games like Rocket League, offering a unique and engaging experience.
Sloclap is continuously improving the in-game functionality for Rematch, and is planning to introduce offline modes for players to compete against computers. They are also working on cross-play functionality, allowing friends on different devices to play together.
Recently, Sloclap announced that they are considering developing more authentic, tactics-driven modes for Rematch. They are also adding competitive play options, including the ability to create a club. The game currently offers three gameplay modes: five-a-side, four-a-side, and three-a-side.
The success of Rematch demonstrates that a sports game can still break through to an audience beyond annually released blockbusters. Since its June 19 release, another 2.5 million gamers have logged on to play Rematch via Xbox's Game Pass service.
As Sloclap continues to improve and expand Rematch, it will be interesting to see how this innovative game continues to connect with both sports and non-sports gamers.
