Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League flopped badly when it launched earlier this 12 months, and it hasn’t proven any indicators of turning issues round. In the mean time, SteamDB signifies that 161 persons are presently enjoying the sport on Steam, and whereas that is not the entire image—Suicide Squad can also be out there on Xbox and PlayStation—it is positive not an indication of excellent issues taking place.
The persistently near-subterranean participant counts has led to worries that WB Video games would possibly do a Redfall and pull the plug on deliberate future updates—though hopefully with out pulling the plug on your entire growth studio within the course of. From a enterprise perspective, it is not an unreasonable suggestion: Why put nevertheless a lot cash a full 12 months of content material takes to create (presumably loads) for the advantage of just a few hundred (or perhaps a few thousand) diehards?
However that’s apparently the plan: A WB Video games consultant has confirmed with Kotaku that “Suicide Squad will full its presently introduced roadmap.”
That roadmap consists of three extra post-launch seasons (the primary season, that includes The Joker, is already reside) with three new playable characters, three new environments, and varied weapons, gear units, actions, and different content material between them.
That is excellent news for the folks enjoying Suicide Squad, however it would not precisely ooze enthusiasm for the long run, and even recommend that one is feasible. It is extra akin to a begrudging acknowledgement that guarantees made can be guarantees saved. Which I suppose is greater than we get in some circumstances.
It has been reported that WB Video games took a $200 million loss on Suicide Squad, so you may perceive why there’d be a reluctance to throw good cash after unhealthy. But it surely’s additionally (one other) highlight shone on the inherent Achilles heel of reside service video games: If they don’t seem to be a success, all these massive guarantees for the long run are simply ink on paper, and the truth that you spent $60 or extra in anticipation of a protracted, fruitful future actually does not imply something.
As a enterprise govt, you would possibly argue that shutting all of it down is the sensible transfer, however as a fan of a sport within the firing line, it actually sucks: When Sharkmob introduced the tip of growth on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt—lastly, a battle royale I preferred!—I used to be genuinely let down. And, I hate to say, I ended enjoying—it is nonetheless an incredible sport, however realizing that the promised story is not going to evolve additional fully took the wind out of my sails.
So take coronary heart, Suicide Squadders: For the following 9 months or so, your sport will reside on. Past that, although, I most likely would not get my hopes too excessive.