Sifu Devs Apologize for No Rematch, Say They ‘Gave Everything’
▼ Summary
– Sloclap acknowledged some Sifu fans were disappointed by Rematch’s reveal, expecting a sequel instead of a football game.
– The studio admitted marketing could have been clearer to avoid misleading fans about Rematch not being Sifu 2.
– Sloclap stated Sifu was never meant to define the studio, and they moved on after extensive post-launch support.
– The developer emphasized their creative freedom to explore new genres, noting similarities in physicality and action across their games.
– Rematch achieved strong sales and player engagement, surpassing 1 million sales and 3 million players via Game Pass.
Sloclap, the studio behind the acclaimed martial arts game Sifu, has addressed fan disappointment over their latest release, Rematch, clarifying why a sequel wasn’t in the cards. The team acknowledges that some players hoped for Sifu 2 but emphasizes their commitment to exploring new creative directions rather than repeating past successes.
Creative director Pierre Tarno openly discussed the mixed reactions, admitting the reveal trailer’s phrasing, “from the team behind Sifu”, may have unintentionally fueled expectations. “We should have communicated earlier that this wasn’t Sifu 2,” he acknowledged, stressing the importance of managing player hopes upfront. Despite the initial letdown, Tarno stands by the decision to shift focus, explaining that the studio had already dedicated extensive post-launch support to Sifu before moving on.
The developer highlighted Sloclap’s philosophy of avoiding genre repetition, even if it means surprising fans. “Not every studio gets the freedom to chase passion projects,” Tarno noted, pointing out the rare privilege of creative flexibility. While Rematch diverges from Sifu’s martial arts focus, both games share a grounded, physical approach to action, reflecting the studio’s signature style. Tarno drew a clear connection between their titles, from Absolver to Sifu and now Rematch, underscoring how each project builds on the last.
Despite the initial backlash, Rematch found commercial success, selling over a million copies in its first week and attracting three million players through Xbox Game Pass. Critics and players alike have praised its competitive gameplay, though some, like Eurogamer’s Tom, humorously lamented the “ball hog” tendencies of certain opponents.
Looking ahead, Sloclap remains focused on enhancing Rematch, with crossplay functionality at the top of their priority list. While Sifu fans may need to wait for future updates, the studio’s dedication to innovation suggests their next moves will be worth watching.
(Source: EUROGAMER)
