"We recognize how many of you anticipated cross-platform play from launch," the studio acknowledged.
Developer Update: Crossplay Delay and Launch Issues
SloClap, creator of Sifu and Absolver, has addressed player concerns regarding the absence of crossplay in its newly released 5v5 arcade soccer title Rematch. Following a successful beta that attracted 1.9 million participants across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, the studio faced backlash after confirming crossplay's absence just hours before early access began.
In a newly published blog coinciding with today's full launch (June 19), the developer outlined the challenges:
"This marks our studio's first crossplay implementation, and unexpected technical hurdles prevented its timely completion. We regret not communicating this setback sooner and sincerely apologize for disappointing our community," SloClap stated.
The team confirmed crossplay remains their top priority alongside critical bug fixes, noting: "While we've established a functional prototype, significant work remains – including interface implementation, debugging, polish, and platform certification. We'll provide a concrete timeline as soon as possible."
Addressing Performance Concerns
The developer also detailed ongoing efforts to resolve early access performance problems including:
- Network latency and frame rate inconsistencies
- Server-client synchronization issues causing erratic ball/player movement
- Game-breaking bugs leading to crashes and menu lockouts
Future Roadmap
SloClap outlined four key development focus areas:
- Core Gameplay Refinements: Ongoing balance adjustments
- Competitive Features: Tournament systems, Elite-tier leaderboards, club creation
- Social Enhancements: Spectator modes, post-match team regrouping
- Casual Play Options: AI training partners
The studio stressed realistic expectations: "As a small team, these implementations will require substantial development time. We appreciate our players' patience as we work to deliver these improvements."
Despite launch challenges, Rematch maintains a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam with 35,595 concurrent players at time of reporting – numbers expected to climb during its inaugural weekend.