Pixel P&L: Why “Dead” Esports Games Aren’t Really Dead

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, 1st October. When an esports title loses Twitch viewers or players, it’s often labeled a “dead game.” But is it really? Today’s feature busts this myth, showing how games like StarCraft II and Counter-Strike 1.6 thrive despite low numbers, supported by dedicated communities that keep them alive against all odds.

We also report on FAU-G: Domination’s impressive pre-registration numbers, Ubisoft’s continuing challenges, BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2024’s viewership metrics and more.

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When an esports title starts losing Twitch viewers or sees its player count drop, the internet is quick to label it a “dead game.” But is the game really dead, or is it just finding its second wind? In our latest feature, we bust the myth that low numbers mean the end of the road. What if we told you that some of the biggest “dead” games are thriving right under your nose?

From StarCraft II—once the king of esports—to Counter-Strike 1.6, which outlived not one but three successors, we dive into how these so-called “dead” games not only survive but create new, stable communities against all odds. Developers may have moved on, but a dedicated base of players is keeping the scene alive and kicking.

In our feature story we explore how games transition through predictable lifecycles and offer a roadmap for turning a “dead” game into an eternal one. Is your favorite title really dead, or just waiting to be revived? The answer might surprise you. 

Made-in-India shooter FAU-G: Domination, the latest game developed by nCore Games and Dot9 Games, has surpassed one million pre-registrations on the Google Play Store in just three weeks, making it the fastest game to reach this milestone for publisher Nazara Technologies. The game, set against the backdrop of intense competition in the shooter genre, appears to have struck a chord with Indian audiences eager for homegrown content.

The surge in early interest follows a high-profile promotional campaign launched on September 5, accompanied by a gameplay trailer and the FAU-G: Domination World Premiere event. Industry observers attribute the rapid uptake to a strategic push from Nazara and nCore, which leveraged partnerships with popular gaming influencers and pre-registration bonuses to drive sign-ups. The involvement of Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who mentored the project, further amplified the game’s visibility.

The milestone comes at a time when India’s gaming sector is increasingly seen as a viable creator of global content rather than merely a consumer. With FAU-G: Domination gaining traction, it raises questions about whether Indian developers can break into the fiercely competitive global shooter market, dominated by heavyweights like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile. As the game heads toward launch, it remains to be seen whether it can maintain momentum and deliver on the initial promise.

Ubisoft CEO Acknowledges XDefiant Falling Behind Expectations Amid Broader Company Challenges

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed that the company’s arena shooter, XDefiant, has failed to meet performance expectations, adding to a series of setbacks for the publisher. The admission came during a trading update call where Guillemot cited underwhelming results for both XDefiant and Star Wars Outlaws as reasons for a 30% reduction in second-quarter revenue forecasts. This comes amid broader turmoil, including the delay of Assassin’s Creed Shadows to 2025 and an internal investigation into the company’s struggles. XDefiant, which had shown initial promise, is now at risk of losing post-launch support unless performance improves by Season 3.

BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2024 Sees Record Viewership Surge for Counter-Strike 2

The BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2024 in Copenhagen drew a peak of 899,345 viewers, more than doubling last year’s numbers and making it the fourth most-watched Counter-Strike 2 tournament of 2024, according to Esports Charts. With an average of 303,736 viewers—up significantly from 169,721 in 2023—the event reflects the growing popularity of CS2 since its launch. It now ranks behind only the PGL Major Copenhagen and two ESL tournaments, IEM Cologne and IEM Katowice, in terms of viewership for the year. This tournament also marks the final event for BLAST before its new competitive circuit launches in 2025.

TV Asahi Announces New Anime Adaptation of Obocchama-kun for Indian Market

TV Asahi announced that Yoshinori Kobayashi’s Obocchama-kun manga will receive a new anime adaptation specifically for the Indian market, set to debut in spring 2024. Produced in collaboration with Sony Pictures Networks India and overseen by Shinei Animation, the project will have its animation production done locally in India. Originally aired in Japan from 1989 to 1992, the anime gained popularity in India through dubbed versions and has remained successful for over a decade, according to TV Asahi director Sachiko Fujimoto. A preview screening of the new adaptation will be held at MIPCOM 2024 in Cannes this October.

PUBG MOBILE Introduces New Pathway to Pro Play with Ultimate Royale Mode

PUBG MOBILE’s Version 3.4 update introduces “Ultimate Royale,” a new ranked mode designed to offer players a direct pathway to professional esports. The top 500 players at the end of each season will have the opportunity to try out for professional teams within their region, with a select few gaining access to the PUBG MOBILE Global Open (PMGO) qualifiers. Open to players at Crown Tier or higher, the new mode adheres to professional tournament rules, making it the first time a ranked system has bridged the gap between casual play and pro-level competition in PUBG MOBILE.

Released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time holds the unique distinction of being the only game to achieve a 99 rating on Metacritic, making it the highest-rated title in history.

Directed by Shigeru Miyamoto, Ocarina of Time introduced innovations like the Z-targeting system, a vast 3D world, and a compelling narrative that set new standards for the action-adventure genre. Its seamless blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat revolutionized game design, influencing countless titles that followed.

Upon release, it received universal acclaim, earning perfect or near-perfect scores from almost every major gaming publication. Over 25 years later, it remains a benchmark in game design, with its legendary 99 Metacritic rating untouched by any other title.