Pixel P&L: Has the FPS Genre Run Out of Ammo?

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, September 3. In today’s feature story, we explore the rich history of first-person shooter (FPS) games, examining the genre's recent struggles and its potential resurgence with upcoming titles. We also bring you the latest on the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) 2024, highlighting Xbox’s renewed support for indie developers. Additionally, we take a closer look at the cryptic teaser for FAU-G: Domination, which has left fans speculating about what’s to come. These stories and more in today’s edition.

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The FPS genre, once the uncontested king of video games, is now teetering on the edge of an identity crisis. Remember when "Doom" blew our minds and "Halo" dominated our consoles? Those days seem like a distant memory. Today, even giants like "Halo Infinite" can't keep players hooked, and new contenders like Ubisoft's "XDefiant" and Sony's "Concord" are flopping harder than anyone could have predicted. Has the FPS genre finally run out of ammo?

The signs aren't good. "Halo Infinite" was supposed to be a triumphant return to glory, but instead, it's a ghost town. Meanwhile, "XDefiant" and "Concord," hyped to be the next big thing, barely made a ripple in the crowded FPS market. Are we witnessing the slow death of a genre that once defined an era?

In our feature story, we’ll dive deep into the evolution of FPS games—from their groundbreaking origins to their current state—and explore where the genre is heading with these newer titles. The FPS genre is at a crossroads. Will it fade into obscurity? Or with Valve's mysterious new shooter "Deadlock" and the much-anticipated "Marvel Rivals" on the horizon, could we be on the brink of an FPS renaissance?

The India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) is set to return in 2024, scheduled from November 13 to November 15 at HICC, Hyderabad. This year’s event promises to be more expansive, with Xbox enhancing its support for indie developers through the ID@Xbox program. Arjun Verma, Xbox's global expansion manager, announced via LinkedIn that applications for the Indie Showcase are now open, with the top 40 games being selected for the Indie Zone at IGDC 2024. Of these, 20 will receive free table sponsorships from Xbox.

In a first, IGDC 2024 will also introduce the “Young Indie Scholarship Program” to support emerging talent. The conference will gather game developers, investors, publishers, and industry professionals, providing a platform for showcasing new games and fostering connections. The submission deadline for participants is September 2024, with nominees being announced by October 28, followed by the awards ceremony on November 14.

Passes for the event are priced at ₹4,750 for the General Pass and ₹65,000 for the VIP Pass. IGDC 2024 is expected to surpass last year’s participation, with over 100 investors and publishers anticipated to attend.

FAU-G: Domination Teases Major Update with Cryptic Message

Dot9 Studios and nCore Games, the developers of FAU-G: Domination, have hinted at a significant update for the Indian mobile multiplayer shooter. A recent social media post featured a Morse code message translating to "Under Attack. Need Backup Backup ETA 5th September," accompanied by a cautionary caption about enemies tracking movements. While details remain sparse, the cryptic message has led to speculation about a potential gameplay reveal or the announcement of a release date, with more information expected on September 5.

Red Bull to Premiere Documentary on T1’s 2023 Worlds Victory

Red Bull has announced the upcoming release of "T1 Rose Together," a feature-length documentary focusing on South Korean esports organization T1’s League of Legends team. The film will chronicle the team's journey, culminating in their victory at the 2023 Worlds. Produced by Red Bull Media House, the documentary is set to premiere globally on September 20th, with screenings in 37 locations across South Korea from September 4th to 18th. The film offers an in-depth look at T1’s 2023 season, featuring insights from players, coaches, and other key figures in the esports community.

Astro Bot PS5 Promotion Spotted on Mumbai Metro

Astro Bot, the highly anticipated platform game for the PlayStation 5 by Team Asobi, is receiving an unusual promotional push in India. The game, published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, has been spotted advertised on the Mumbai metro, marking a rare instance of a global video game title being promoted through public transit in the country. The promotion was first noticed by Indian video games analyst Rishi Alwani, highlighting Sony's efforts to expand its market reach in India

FaZe Clan Reunites with G FUEL in Multi-Million-Dollar Sponsorship Deal

North American esports organization FaZe Clan has secured a multi-year, multi-million-dollar sponsorship and licensing deal with energy drink brand G FUEL. The partnership, one of the largest in GameSquare's history since acquiring FaZe Clan, marks a reunion between the two brands, which had previously collaborated until 2022. The deal includes the creation of new content and products, as well as an equity component for FaZe Media in G FUEL. G FUEL CEO Bryan Crowley expressed enthusiasm for reigniting the partnership, highlighting its potential to drive engagement across the global gaming and content creator communities.

In 2010, Electronic Arts (EA) pulled the plug on their highly anticipated NBA Elite 11 at the last minute because the demo was so disastrously glitchy that it became a viral laughingstock. The game was supposed to be EA's big comeback in the basketball genre, poised to take on 2K Sports' NBA 2K series. But when players encountered the infamous "Jesus Bynum" glitch—where a player hovered in a bizarre T-pose above the court—things quickly spiraled out of control.

The backlash was so intense that EA made the shocking decision to cancel the game entirely, despite it being fully completed and ready to hit store shelves. This last-minute cancellation wasn’t just embarrassing—it cost EA up to $60 million in projected losses.