Following the closing of 'Evolve' servers in 2018, 2K Games has recently brought the Evolve game servers back online. The company did not formally announce this change, but rather stealthily relaunched the servers, resulting in players and the community discovering this and flocking back to the once-popular asymmetrical multiplayer game.
2K Games will capitalize off of the revived community and aim to support the game going forward, as the game has garnered a large fanbase since its release. Evolve, as a title, is an asymmetrical multiplayer game, meaning players assume different roles in a player-versus-player environment. Rather than having balanced teams, Evolve pits a team of four hunters against one player controlling a high-power alien creature. When the game was shut down in 2018, it was due to difficulty balancing and lack of a dedicated player base. However, since this time, asymmetrical games such as 'Dead by Daylight,' 'Friday the 13th,' 'Back 4 Blood,' and 'Dragon Ball: The Breakers' have grown in popularity, creating a window for Evolve to thrive.
Image Credit: 2K Games
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Asymmetrical Multiplayer Games
- The resurgence of Evolve and the popularity of other asymmetric games presents opportunities for developers to create new titles with unique gameplay mechanics.
- Community Revival
- The unexpected relaunch of Evolve’s server can be a testament to the power of community demand, encouraging other game developers to revisit their previously successful IPs.
- Rebalancing Existing Ips
- The rising popularity of asymmetric games provides an opportunity to revisit underperforming titles and restructure the game mechanics to create an asymmetric multiplayer experience.
Where This Applies
- Video Game Development
- Video game developers can leverage the popularity of asymmetric games to create new titles and refresh existing IPs.
- E-sports
- The highly competitive nature of asymmetric games makes them great candidates for the e-sports industry, opening up opportunities for sponsorships and events.
- Community Management
- As the importance of community demand is highlighted through the relaunch of Evolve, community managers can use this to advocate for more player-focused changes and features.
