Rematch Devs BREAK DOWN What's Getting Nerfed + Massive New Additions Incoming!

Summary

In this interview with Pierre Tarno and Dylan Allen from Slow Clap, the development team behind 'Rematch,' they discuss the game's rapid success, its innovative mechanics, and the evolving player experience. The team highlights the importance of originality, social features like crossplay, and upcoming updates such as a tournament and club creation system. They also touch on challenges, including balancing gameplay mechanics and fine-tuning the ball's physics. With a focus on player feedback and continuous improvement, 'Rematch' is designed to provide a dynamic, competitive, and enjoyable football experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 The key pillars of 'Rematch' are to make players feel amazing, part of a team, and under pressure, creating a dynamic and immersive experience.
• 😀 Slow Clap is focusing on delivering a fresh gaming experience by combining elements of popular games, while ensuring 'Rematch' feels unique and new to players.
• 😀 Crossplay is a top priority for the developers, aiming to expand the game's accessibility and foster a broader player community.
• 😀 Alongside crossplay, the team is focused on key bug fixes, already releasing nine hotfixes since launch, and refining core gameplay.
• 😀 Social features are central to the game’s experience, with the ability for players to connect with friends, join squads, and team up with strangers.
• 😀 A tournament system and club creation feature are planned to further engage competitive players and foster community-building.
• 😀 The game is still evolving based on player feedback, with the team closely monitoring emerging mechanics, both positive and toxic.
• 😀 Players have found creative strategies and exploits, such as the 'dolphin dive,' which the developers are working to tweak without disrupting the fun.
• 😀 One of the main design challenges is creating the right balance of football mechanics, ensuring the game stays realistic while still being fun and playable.
• 😀 The ball physics are critical to the game's feel, with the team making careful adjustments to speed, friction, and movement to ensure an enjoyable experience for both attackers and defenders.
• 😀 Future updates will include AI game modes to cater to players who prefer a more casual, less competitive environment, expanding the game's reach.

Q & A

What are the three main pillars of the experience in Rematch?

The three main pillars of the experience in Rematch are: feeling like an amazing player, feeling part of a team, and feeling the pressure.

What makes Rematch stand out from other similar games, according to the developers?

Rematch stands out because, while it may appear similar to games like Rocket League or FIFA from afar, it offers a unique gameplay feel. Players often describe it as feeling like playing real football due to its specific mechanics.

What is the current focus for Rematch's development team?

The development team is currently focusing on crossplay integration, key bug fixes, and new features, such as improvements to gameplay, social features, tournaments, and the development of a club system.

Why is crossplay a significant priority for Rematch?

Crossplay is crucial as it allows players to connect and play with friends across different platforms, enhancing the game's social aspect and expanding the player base.

What are some of the new features that Rematch is planning to introduce?

Some planned features include social elements like crossplay, being able to join friends' squads as spectators, a tournament system for competitive play, a club system for organizing players, and more casual play options like AI opponents.

What is the aim behind the club system that Rematch is developing?

The club system is designed to link players to real-world cities, allowing them to create clubs based on their hometowns. This creates a sense of community and competition, such as local derbies and national tournaments.

How does the development team approach the balance between gameplay mechanics and player experience?

The team carefully considers how to make each mechanic feel rewarding and intuitive. For example, they focus on making the ball physics feel satisfying, ensuring that when a player shoots or passes, it has an immediate and enjoyable impact while balancing the game's competitive dynamics.

What challenges do the developers face with the emergent strategies and tactics in the game?

The developers face challenges in identifying and addressing emergent mechanics or strategies that may arise, such as exploits like the 'dolphin dive.' They must balance making quick fixes while ensuring long-term solutions do not negatively impact other gameplay elements.

How do the developers view the ball's role in Rematch?

The ball is considered a crucial component of the game, almost like a character itself. Its interactions with players, like how it bounces or moves after a pass, directly affect the game's feel, and the developers have iterated on its physics extensively to create a satisfying and dynamic experience.

What role will tournaments play in Rematch's future?

Tournaments will add variety and excitement to the competitive experience, providing players with something to look forward to. They will allow players to train with friends, compete in time-limited events, and potentially form connections with other players through matchmaking.