The gaming world has been abuzz with discussions in recent days, not due to the highly anticipated Black Myth: Wu Kong, but the fate of Starlight Attack, a game that has sparked quite the controversy. Unfortunately, the news is not good for Sony, as this game, which was developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment over an eight-year span and cost $150 million (about NT$480 million), has now officially announced the end of its operations and will offer full refunds. Even more surprising is the fact that the game’s total operational time was only a mere two weeks, making it one of the shortest-lived games in history. What happened to Starlight Attack, a game that, despite launching close to Black Myth: Wu Kong, managed to steal the spotlight for all the wrong reasons? Let’s delve into the details.
What is Starlight Attack About?
Starlight Attack is a 5V5 PVP shooting game that was heavily invested in by Sony. It can be likened to an interstellar version of Overwatch, as it features a variety of characters with different species, genders, and abilities. Players engage in three different combat modes—random battle, occupation, and对抗—until they achieve victory. The game’s main feature is its character variations, where the same character can have different passive abilities that persist when changing characters, encouraging players to actively attack without fear of death.
The Reasons for the Game’s Failure
There are many reasons for Starlight Attack’s commercial failure, but the most significant issue is the game’s ability to provoke player conflict. The game’s character design, while subjective in terms of beauty, did not meet the aesthetic preferences of the general public. The game’s emphasis on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) was too deliberate, with each character’s name and description section specifying how players should address them. This was particularly irksome, as players were more interested in playing the game than engaging in social niceties.
Furthermore, the game’s political correctness was a double-edged sword. While the intention behind DEI is noble, it was not well-received in the gaming industry, which is often sensitive to such issues. Starlight Attack directly confronted players with its political correctness, which naturally led to backlash.
The Lesson Learned
Starlight Attack’s failure serves as a lesson for many game companies. Even a company as large as Sony cannot forget that their ultimate support comes from the gaming community. Perhaps it is time for them to reflect on what players truly want, rather than focusing on reputation or moral lessons.
The Aftermath
Interestingly, the physical copies of Starlight Attack have now become highly sought-after, highlighting the fact that people only truly appreciate something when it is gone. This incident serves as a reminder to game companies that their success ultimately depends on the satisfaction of their players.
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