Sloclap Boss: Tournaments Made Rematch Devs ‘Get’ the Game
▼ Summary
– Rematch, a multiplayer soccer game by Sloclap, marks a surprising shift from their martial arts titles but has become a hit with 37,000 concurrent players on Steam.
– The game’s core audience consists of competitive online gamers rather than traditional soccer fans, as revealed by Sloclap CEO Pierre Tarno.
– Many developers at Sloclap aren’t soccer fans but were convinced by the game’s team dynamics and competitive appeal during internal testing.
– Rematch simplifies soccer mechanics to focus on teamwork and strategy, making it accessible to both soccer fans and general gamers.
– Tarno believes reaching casual sports gamers will take time, as they rely on word-of-mouth and updates rather than gaming news coverage.
Sloclap’s latest hit, Rematch, is proving that you don’t need to love soccer to enjoy a great competitive multiplayer game. The studio, previously known for martial arts titles like Absolver and Sifu, has struck gold with this unexpected sports-themed release. With over 37,000 concurrent players on Steam, the game’s success highlights an interesting trend, its core audience isn’t traditional soccer fans but competitive gamers looking for fresh team-based action.
Pierre Tarno, Sloclap’s CEO, revealed that even the development team included many who weren’t soccer enthusiasts. Internal tournaments became a turning point, transforming skeptics into believers. “People who didn’t care about football suddenly understood the appeal,” Tarno explained. “The teamwork, the strategy, it clicked for them in a way pure sports sims never could.” This revelation underscores how Rematch transcends the sport itself, focusing instead on the adrenaline of coordinated play.
At first glance, Rematch might remind players of Rocket League minus the vehicles, but it carves its own niche by blending soccer’s essence with arcade-style accessibility. It’s not a simulation but an interpretation, capturing the thrill of passes, last-minute goals, and dramatic comebacks without demanding real-world sports knowledge. The balance works, casual players enjoy the pick-up-and-play mechanics, while competitive gamers dive deep into its tactical layers.
Tarno acknowledges that soccer purists remain an untapped market. Reaching them requires patience, as many stick to annual franchises like FIFA or Call of Duty without exploring beyond their comfort zones. “Word of mouth and consistent updates will bridge that gap,” he said. For now, Sloclap is leaning into its core demographic, players who thrive on teamwork and fast-paced competition, even if they’ve never watched a match in their lives.
The game’s rise hasn’t been without challenges, though. Some players accustomed to solo experiences are still adapting to the demands of team dynamics. Yet, as Rematch continues to evolve, its unique blend of sports and competitive gaming could redefine what a soccer-inspired title can achieve.
(Source: PCGAMER)
