Rematch Started Without a Key Feature: Why Player Trust and Communication Are So Important for a Game to Be Successful

I was really enthusiastic for Rematch because I keep an eye on new game releases. Sloclap, the studio behind popular games like Sifu, was making an online multiplayer arcade soccer game for us. The beta figures alone showed us that this game could be great, with around two million players across all platforms. This success showed that there was a strong base and a lot of interest.

I was shocked and honestly frustrated when developer Sloclap stated just hours before early access that Rematch would not support crossplay at launch. This is a huge blow for an online game that is played in teams. This isn't just about a feature that isn't there; it's about a chance to communicate clearly and set player expectations.

The Promise of Crossplay Meets a Disappointing Launch for Rematch Players

Why Cross-Platform Play is Important for Modern Multiplayer Games

Crossplay isn't a nice-to-have feature for any online multiplayer game these days; it's almost a requirement. Friends play on different systems these days, and a game like Rematch, which is based on 5v5 team play, needs a lot of players to do well. The fact that players may connect with friends no matter what console they have makes the game more better and maintains the player community strong.

When Sloclap said that crossplay wouldn't be available just hours before players could start playing, it seemed like a hit to the belly for anyone who wanted to play with pals on different platforms. Sloclap had said before that they were working hard to get the feature ready for launch. This made the announcement at the last minute much more shocking. Sloclap says that "unforeseen technical complexities" are at blame. I get that smaller studios have problems, especially when it's their first time trying to add crossplay, but this announcement really makes me wonder why players weren't told sooner.

Sloclap's apology shows how important it is for developers to talk to players quickly and for players to trust them.

Developers need to be open and honest with the community in order to build and keep a strong one.

Sloclap did say they were sorry and that they "should have communicated as soon as it became clear that crossplay wouldn't be available." They also said they were sorry for the "inconvenience and frustration it caused to some of our players." An apology is a good beginning step, but this incident shows a bigger problem with how studios handle player expectations.

We, as gamers, put our time, energy, and sometimes even our money into these encounters. When a fundamental feature is delayed, especially one that is so important to the game's social fabric, being open and honest is the best way to keep trust. It's about respecting the people that play. Knowing ahead of time lets us change our expectations and make smart choices, instead than being surprised when the game comes out. This kind of communication breakdown can make people less likely to like a game or its creators.

Sloclap Says Crossplay Is a Top Priority and Talks About Plans for a Rematch

What the studio is doing to make the game better Moving Ahead

Sloclap said that fixing bugs and crossplay are their "absolute highest priorities." They say they have a "basic working version" and need to add interfaces, fix bugs, polish it, and satisfy console certifications. This provides us an idea of how hard it is to make a feature like this work, especially for a studio's debut crossplay release. It's not as easy as just turning it on.

The company is also working on fixing performance issues like lag, stuttering, and server desync, which are just as important for a seamless online experience in an arcade soccer game as crossplay. They are also trying to fix flaws that make the game crash, freeze, or lock you out of the menu. All of these things are good signs. Sloclap has also hinted at intriguing future developments, such as a tournament system and leaderboards for competitive play, social features that let players watch their friends' games or play with teammates they liked, and even AI-controlled bots for practice. If they can keep their commitments, these are good signs for the game's future.

Why Rematch's Early Success Still Needs Players to Be Patient and Developers to Be Honest

Knowing what a small studio has to deal with when making realistic plans

Even though there were some problems with the debut and the crossplay was delayed, Rematch has been well received on Steam, with "mostly positive" reviews and a lot of players at the same time. This success shows how much enjoyable the game is at its heart, and it might also show how patient the players are who like the gameplay even though some features are missing. It shows that the game is built on a strong base that players can relate to.

Sloclap tells us that they are a "small team" and that these things will take time to make. I get this very well; making games is quite hard, and indie studios don't always have as many resources as big publishers do. But players are typically more patient when they know what's going on and can see a clear path forward. The longer a crucial element is missing without a clear schedule, the harder it is to keep that initial excitement and trust. We shouldn't expect all the promised features before the end of the year, but having a more detailed plan for the next seasons would help temper expectations.

In the end, Rematch's debut was a big mistake when it came to crossplay, but Sloclap's promise to correct it and their honest apology are a start in the right way. The game's early success suggests that it has a solid base and an interesting main experience. I hope that Sloclap learns from this, not just about how hard it is to make crossplay work, but also about how important it is to be open and honest with players in order to build trust. If they can really make crossplay work well and fix the flaws, Rematch could still become a real competitor in the online arcade sports category and establish a community that lasts.

You may now play Rematch on Windows PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.