In 2015, DC’s ‘Infinite Crisis’ entered the MOBA scene with high hopes, promising to deliver a gaming experience worthy of its legendary roster of superheroes and villains. Developed by Turbine, the game sought to challenge the dominance of ‘League of Legends’ and ‘DOTA 2’.
The game centered on multiverse-spanning battles, allowing players to control iconic characters such as Batman, and Wonder Woman, and alternate versions like Atomic Joker and Nightmare Superman. So, what went wrong?
‘Infinite Crisis’ Failure Can Be Attributed To The Developers Playing It Way Too Safe
‘Infinite Crisis’s uniqueness lay in its deep integration with DC’s lore. From Krypto the Superdog’s buff-based mechanics to Starro’s ability to resurrect enemies, each character brought personality and power to the battlefield. It featured distinctive maps like the two-lane Coast City and capture-and-hold Gotham Heights.
Related: “There’s A Pretty Cool Joker In Me”: ‘It’ Star Bill Skarsgård Wants To Join James Gunn’s DCU
Moreover, the game aimed to differentiate itself from its competitors. Even the destructible environments added a layer of strategy that set it apart. However, creating a standout MOBA in a crowded market was no small feat. So, Turbine played it safe with core mechanics, sticking to proven gameplay principles.
What ‘Infinite Crisis’ lacked in innovation, it sought to make up for in charm and multiverse richness. This approach won early praise during its beta phases, with fans expressing excitement over its roster and potential. Unfortunately, this promise was not enough.
Despite its strong start, Infinite Crisis never achieved the player base it needed to thrive. Within weeks of its official release, Warner Bros. announced the game’s shutdown, marking a premature end to a project that could have been DC’s answer to Marvel’s success in the online gaming space.
The Fate Of ‘Infinite Crisis’ Is A Classic Case Of Poor Planning
The downfall of ‘Infinite Crisis‘ was a result of good intentions clashing with poor execution and market realities. While the game boasted a stellar concept, its flaws became evident as soon as it went live. Ever since its release, players frequently complained that certain characters were overpowered.
In case you missed it: Frank Grillo Prefers DCU Over MCU For One Significant Reason
This made matches feel one-sided and frustrating. Additionally, the absence of AI bots meant that players often couldn’t access less popular modes or maps. This left much of the game’s unique content underutilized.
The game’s sparse player base exacerbated its struggles. With a peak of only 6,961 daily players, queues were long, and matches often lacked dynamism. This led to dwindling interest among the few who initially stuck around. Warner Bros.’s decision to pull the plug just weeks after launch suggested a lack of faith in the game’s long-term potential.
