- Farlight 84 could be the game-changer but version 2.0 update pressed the self-destruct button.
- Removing the jetpacks was the major mistake that the developers failed to understand.
- Despite some optimistic players, the game seems to be in the "lost" list.
Farlight 84 is an action battle royale title from Farlight Games, a subsidiary of Lilith Games. Being in one of the high-demand genres, the game offered dynamic elements and a combination of unique gameplay mechanisms. Though the game attracted quite a lot of players within a short period, it lost its way after a couple of years. While the developers thought changing the core elements would make it more demanding, their efforts went in vain. What could have been one of the top leaders in the battle royale genre is almost a failure now. So in this article, I’ll try to break down why Farlight 84 is a big missed opportunity in the mobile gaming industry.
Featured Column – The Missed Opportunity
Ever played a game and thought “Oh no, what a missed opportunity!” Exploring the same sentiment is GamingonPhone’s The Missed Opportunity column which explores failed chances in gameplay, design, or even marketing that could have elevated these mobile titles. Each piece delves into what went wrong and what could’ve been done better.
A version update that no one wanted
Game updates aim to provide a smooth experience, and titles often introduce regular balance changes, patch notes, and other bug fixes so that players do not feel left alone. Like most other titles, Farlight 84 promised to keep the players entertained.
However, a big “but” crossed the path and raised the question of whether Farlight 84 wanted to keep the experience intact. Updates and balance changes are meant to keep the game stable and let the players compete on an equal stage where no particular strategy dominates the others.
This is a general rule, so whenever we find any specific weapon, hero, skill, etc. dominating the others, or happens to be the opposite, an update comes in to fix everything. After running a good race until the first month of 2024, Farlight 84 released its 2.0 update with some controversial changes.
The biggest among them was removing the jetpack system from the characters. The update introduced a new hero, Marad Nova Phase 11 Battle Pass, revamped some rank systems, etc.
The developers, as an act of commitment to provide addictive in-game features, tried to redefine the game with this update but failed miserably as no one accepted the changes. Rather, the game was witnessing a massive breakdown instead of their expected “spike“.
Feedback from the players was mostly negative. The game suffered from several issues such as a confusing menu, no lobby, random FPS drop, recoil issue, etc. The core systems were gone, and so did player interests.
Removing the core mechanics swept the title out of the fans’ hearts
Farlight 84 lost a lot of players after removing the jetpack. It was like a nitro in this game, boosting and cruising through every opponent it has in the genre. All the characters used to use the jetpack, enabling players to move in any direction and emerge in cool styles in each battle. Besides, several characters were played in a certain style with the jetpack system.
It’s not like the game didn’t receive any updates before. But all of them were to tweak something from the characters, to support them, or to make the game more interesting. Everything the developers did was to improve the experience.
But changing the entire system with jetpack struck hard and kicked the title away from the competition. A player said that previous updates were fine but changing the core mechanism made him leave the game.
By the genre of this title, it was important to keep the guns great and functioning. No one has time to see the beauty of a map, rather they become busy with intense fights. But when the title created unwanted problems like the recoil issue, slower gun switching, FPS drops, etc., it became evident to fall.
Farlight 84 missed every opportunity to become the top title in the BR genre
Some players were ready to accept the game after the fall of Apex Legends Mobile. They thought it was the next big thing. And why won’t they? There were several reasons to embrace the title as the daily go-to grab for some action. It has a battle royale, some cool heroes, guns, maps, decent gameplay mechanics, etc. But it failed big time and created the path for its own grave.
A player even brought up the title’s rating on Play Store to make us understand the downfall. If not the game is down already, he also said, “It was truly game-changing in a reverse manner”. So, I can only imagine the extent of this player’s frustration.
As of now, the rating on Play Store is 3.1. Though it is pretty good in the App Store with 4.2, given the number of Android players, the rating is alarming.
But not everyone wants to accept the reality. I admire these players as they prove a true passion for a game. However, I saw players mocking Farlight 84 by saying the rating is close to 1.3. Though this is untrue, we must understand what is intended between the lines.
However, some of the players were so optimistic that they supported the developers even if the core systems were long gone. Though some supported the removal of jetpacks and argued that the game did the right thing, I wonder if they now visit the game often.
Broken esports system, unfollowing successful titles, and other issues are behind the downfall
Farlight 84 was announced back in 2020. The game was globally launched after being in the beta stage for almost two years. Featuring intense action, diverse gameplay, and battle royale elements, the game received popularity and praise within a short period.
However, apart from the above issues, the title faced some critical elements. It failed to take inspiration from the other successful titles and messed up the marketing. Besides, it had a failed esports roadmap as well.
It announced the esports roadmap with Farlight 84 Philippines Championship Season 1. After the successful completion of the first event, the game planned to increase the premise and announced a million-dollar prize pool along with a 5-year plan. But the actions taken to support it were the opposite.
The game introduced Sunder Realms, a new map where players form a 3-member squad. It forced the players to take a quick shift and change their gameplay, strategies, and meta. So, players were discouraged. The esports section was built on the base of a 4-member squad, this sudden shift for one map only hit the community hard.
Another meta popped up around the abilities of Ceanna. She, with proper support from her teammates, can endure long health battles throughout the entire time despite the damage she received. The strategy was used massively and people started growing boredom around it. The developers were overlooking, as usual, leaving the competitive scene
The game could have been better if only it had followed the successful battle royales or other mainstream esports titles. What’s already proved effective, is a path the game could have followed.
And lastly, the game needed better marketing out of the SEA region. It was more of a Philippine-centric game rather than being on a worldwide scale. Community building and engaging with them is a must to spread a game. Besides, campaigns and campus programs are some common ways to reach the youth, which the title failed. Accumulating all these, the game followed a never-return path.
While Farlight 84 planned so many things to introduce and provide a one-of-a-kind experience on mobile, several things damaged the road and made the game a missed opportunity.
Read our other missed opportunity articles:
- Operation Apocalypse: A title that cancelled its own appointment
- Miraibo GO and its Unrealized Potential
- Everdale: Two Quiet Goodbyes
- New State Mobile: A dead game tells no tales
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