Hype and expectations often cast a shadow too large for reality. Redfall, hailed from the innovative geniuses at Arkane Austin, known for Prey, stood promisingly on the precipice of greatness, or at least, that’s what it was probably hoping. Unfortunately, its latest game saw a staggering drop into the abyss of irrelevancy, just months after being released.
Remember the euphoria back in 2021? In those glory days, Redfall was gleaming beside Xbox exclusives like Starfield, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Halo Infinite. It didn’t hurt that its sister studio, Austin Lyon, released a GOTY contender for the PlayStation 5 in Deathloop in the same year. But the narrative took an unfortunate twist.
Launching earlier this year, Redfall, rather than soaring, faltered and tumbled. We’re talking bugs galore and gameplay that, to put it diplomatically, lacked spirit and gusto. And while the metaphorical quills have stayed dormant since its 1.1 patch in June, a peek into the game’s current scenario is telling. It’s as if you walked into a party expecting a full house and found just a couple of lonely souls, one perhaps lost and the other probably there by accident.
Speaking of numbers, a journey down the database lanes of SteamDB paints a somber picture. From the initial fever-pitched high of 6,124 enthusiastic players at its debut, the count has trickled to a mere double digit. At times, it sunk to the single-digit realm. Imagine, a whole multiplayer game, standing still with just two, possibly puzzled, players.
Drawing parallels with Arkane’s previous successes, this decline is more than a little disconcerting. With fewer players than all three Dishonored titles and Prey, and only just about keeping pace with the likes of Dark Messiah of Might and Magic (we don’t know , it’s a wonder what that game is either) that the development gods haven’t decreed a complete revamp.
The Game Pass and the Epic Games Store might offer some solace, but without transparent metrics, all we can deduce from Steam’s dwindling numbers is that the sun isn’t shining too brightly for Redfall.
Of course, Xbox honchos Matt Booty and Phil Spencer ventured out, assuring players of Arkane’s relentless pursuit to rectify Redfall’s shortcomings. Yet, the echoing silence post its June update hints at a declining enthusiasm or, dare one say, a subtle white flag of concession. Could it be that the realms of Arkane have conceded the game to its fate? Or is there a chance, albeit slim, for a comeback that mirrors the grandeur of No Man’s Sky’s resurgence?
While the internet is alight with speculations and “what could have been”, Redfall’s current trajectory is incontrovertibly downward. Not only has its player count diminished, but even Arkane’s signature brilliance seemed absent. Critics and players alike shared their disenchantment. One can’t help but feel a twinge of sadness, especially when whispers float around about Arkane’s own team’s reservations regarding the project.
Perhaps some games, regardless of their lineage or lofty promises, just aren’t meant to make it big. It could be a blend of genres gone awry or merely a product of ill-fated circumstances. But, with Bethesda and Microsoft’s track record, one can’t discount the potential for a turn-around.
While an ardent fan might hope for a sudden renaissance for Redfall, a pragmatic might advise otherwise. With a player count teetering on the edge of extinction, is it truly worth pouring in more funds and resources? Or should energies be channeled towards fresher pastures and newer horizons? Whatever the eventual decision, it’s essential to acknowledge the current state of the game, ensure transparency with its dedicated players, and make strategic decisions for the future. The ball, as they say, is in Arkane’s court. One hopes they play it right.
Speaking of recovery, Cyberpunk 2077 is the best-case scenario for Redfall, but it doesn’t and never commanded much attention. With over $100 million invested just to “save” Cyberpunk 2077 and make it as successful as it is today, Microsoft may balk at the risk-reward ratio, or, to be more honest, the lack thereof.
