Just read pt2 of Cliff's Lawbreakers interview on Gamespot. Can't say that i'm not a little disappointed. Gotta give the man credit for determination, though. I don't agree with his decision to push gameplay design over characters to the marketing forefront, but he stands behind his mantra one hundred percent. You have to applaud clarity of vision. You can't lead a ship if you aren't confident about its course.
That said, I think that he might be approaching it a little backwards. Had he gone character heavy with a stronger emphasis on gameplay possibilities, then I think he could've gotten far more people interested. Certainly people like me. For example, I bought Overwatch because i just couldn't help digging that art and the story from those shorts. I hate playing the game, so i don't. But I bought it. Game just can't hold my interest.
On the other hand, I probably would've enjoyed Lawbreakers as it's all really skill based. Like old Halo, Quake, or CSGO. Without that connective universe, though, I've just not been interested in trying it out. 30.00. Free. No difference. There's too much competition. Perhaps not as singularly focused on fun skill based shooting - but that's not enough of a draw to engage me with limited time and a buffet of gaming options today.
I still think should the company change it's focus and lean into its unique character design and world, that there's an audience to salvage here.
All that, though, and his comments regarding a SWITCH version really bummed me out. Not even so much that he'd do an Xbox version first (because of what he assumes the market is), but that because it's on SWITCH that he'd need to change the game somehow. That it might need to focus on local multiplayer or even some kind of 1v1.
The these considerations even came to mind because its on Switch is the kind of weird thinking that I'd hoped would've faded away as the platform gained popularity. I really, REALLY just don't get it. Just because a PvP focused multiplayer shooter is on switch does't mean that it needs to change in ANY way. I can't emphasize enough how popular Call of Duty Black Ops 2 was on Wii U. That game was only limited by the small user base, but of the users that owned it, it was DEFINITELY supported. Frankly, it was my favorite version of the game. Activision brought it out without compromise. It was super fast, fun, and a complete BLAST to play handheld. Frankly, if they brought that same game to Switch, I'd buy it today.
Cliff and these companies really need to understand that the appeal is the portability of a last gen + era console. The idea of local multiplayer is icing, but the ability to take it on the go, then plug it up and it's a home unit AND the ability to play with local buddies is GREAT.
Taking a full version of your game on the go is really what people want to do.
This is why people are saying that if they had to choose between a PS4 version or a portable version of the same game, they're choosing portable. We want to play our Destiny or Lawbreakers or (insert competitive / coop shooter) at home *and* pick it up and take it on the go. That's it. No gimmick.
The Switch audience is hungry for this niche to be filled. Splatoon is fine if that's your thing, but a game like Lawbreakers is really missing an opportunity. Certainly would do more there than on Xbox one. Who's going to stop playing PUBG or Destiny 2 or Overwatch or the inevitable Halo for Lawbreakers? On Switch, it's what? Splatoon? Rogue Warrior? That upcoming weird deformed body parts pvp shooter? C'mon Devs...fans can't be the only one seeing this? My fingers AND toes are hoping that DOOM slays on this system.
Anyway, best of luck to Lawbreakers.