“Why Square Enix's Outriders Was a Forgotten Loot-Shooter Ahead of Its Time” — what this page in the network covers. In 2021, Square Enix released Outriders, a cooperative loot-shooter that many players and critics praised for its bold design choices. The game, developed by People Can Fly, introduced a class-based system with aggressive, fast-paced combat and a full campaign that could be played solo or with up to two friends. It also notably avoided a live-service model, offering a complete experience at launch with no microtransactions or battle pass—a rarity in the genre. Outriders quickly drew millions of players, with Square Enix reporting over 3.5 million unique players in its first month.
Despite this initial success, the game's momentum faded. A rocky launch plagued by server issues and inventory-wiping bugs damaged its reputation. Square Enix later stated that the game had not met its sales expectations, and plans for significant expansions were scaled back. For the complete material, the listing points back to the source inside the network.