Hype is a powerful tool. Developing games is hard and it is a process that can take several years, and many studios turn to large marketing campaigns to promote their game. However hype is like a double-edged sword, it can make people excited about a game, but it could also be its downfall.
One of the main problems with too much hype is that it can create unrealistic expectations for a game. When a game is hyped up to be the next big thing, players may expect it to be perfect in every way and to exceed all of their expectations.
However, no game is perfect, and when players are disappointed by a game that doesn’t live up to the hype, they may feel let down and even resentful. There are many examples of hype killing popular upcoming games. Some of the selected have been laid out ahead.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the most anticipated games of 2020. It was CD Projekt Red’s first full-fledged RPG since the Witcher 3 was released in 2015. Cyberpunk 2077 was delayed multiple times. The game was first announced in 2012 but did not come out until December 2020. It had been delayed at least 4 times in 2020 alone.
When Cyberpunk 2077 was released, many gamers were dissatisfied with the final product. Cyberpunk 2077 suffered from a wide range of technical issues and bugs. The game was released in an unfinished state and was plagued by glitches and crashes that made it difficult for players to enjoy the game. These technical issues were especially prevalent on older consoles, where the game performed poorly and was almost unplayable in some cases.
While Cyberpunk 2077 would continue to be updated over the years with bug fixes being constant, they could not blemish the botched launch of Cyberpunk. Playercount dwindled until the release of the Cyberpunk-themed anime Cyberpunk Edgerunners.
Splitgate
Splitgate was a multiplayer first-person shooter game developed and published by 1047 Games. The game was released in 2019 and was well-received by critics and players alike for its fast-paced gameplay and unique mechanics. However, despite its initial success, Splitgate ultimately fell victim to the negative effects of hype and failed to maintain its player base.
The fast-paced movement shooter took inspiration from Halo and Titanfall and wore its inspiration on its shoulder. When it launched, Splitgate became a hit instantly. It was a trending game among streamers and many thought it would be the next big free-to-play game like Fortnite or Apex Legends.
Despite its initial success, Splitgate was not able to maintain a strong player base. the game’s player count quickly dwindled as players became bored and moved on to other games.
This lack of players made it difficult for the game to sustain its matchmaking system, which led to long wait times and a lack of enjoyable matches for those who did continue to play.
Battlefield 2042
Few games hold the legacy of the Battlefield franchise. That is why when Battlefield 2042 was announced, people were excited about the next entry into the franchise. The previous title, Battlefield V did not resonate well with the player base and EA was looking to redeem the franchise.
When the first trailer for 2042 launched, players thought the next iteration would follow the path of titles like Battlefield 3 and 4. This couldn’t be farther from the truth as Battlefield 2042 would launch with much less content than usual. With only 3 game modes, no campaign, and only a select few maps, 2042 would be severely lacking in content.
Like Battlefield V before it, consumers would lash out against EA. Even Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson admitted that the game did not meet expectations. Like many other “hyped and failed” games before it, EA continues to release updates and additional content, helping Battlefield 2042 become a fuller game.
No Mans Sky
No Man’s Sky is a science fiction exploration and survival game developed and published by Hello Games. The game was released in 2016 to much fanfare and hype but ultimately failed to live up to the expectations of many players.
One of the main reasons why No Man’s Sky did not live up to the hype was that it was heavily advertised and marketed as a game with near-infinite content and possibilities. The game’s creator, Sean Murray, promised that players would be able to explore a vast and procedurally-generated universe with millions of planets and a wide variety of creatures and landscapes. However, when the game was released, many players found that the universe was not as expansive and varied as they had been led to believe.
Another problem with No Man’s Sky was that it suffered from a lack of meaningful gameplay and content. Despite its impressive graphics and visuals, many players found that the game was repetitive and lacked depth.
The game’s core mechanics, such as resource gathering and base-building, were not well-implemented and did not provide enough challenge or satisfaction for players. In addition, the game’s multiplayer features were limited and did not offer a compelling reason for players to explore and interact with each other.
In addition to these issues, No Man’s Sky also suffered from a lack of communication and transparency from its developer, Hello Games. Before and after the game’s release, Hello Games was criticized for not being forthcoming with information about the game and its development.
This lack of communication led to confusion and frustration among players, who felt that they were being misled about the game’s content and features.
Despite these problems, No Man’s Sky was not a complete failure. The game has a dedicated fanbase and has received several major updates and expansions that have added new content and improved upon its core gameplay.
However, for many players, the initial hype and disappointment surrounding the game have left a lasting impact and have made it difficult for the game to fully recover.
There are many many other examples of overhyped and underdelivered games. Anthem, Marvel’s Avengers, etc. It is always good to have high expectations for games, but it is also important to keep your expectations in check.
Overall, while hype can be a powerful tool for generating excitement and anticipation for a new game, it can also have negative consequences when it is used excessively.
Too much hype can create unrealistic expectations for gamers. As a result, it is important for developers and publishers to use hype wisely and to manage players’ expectations for their games.
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