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Introduction
Rematch, the arcade-style soccer game from Sloclap, launched on June 19, 2025. With support for Xbox Game Pass, PS5, and PC, it hit over one million players within 24 hours. However, one major flaw overshadowed its success: the lack of crossplay. This article breaks down how the issue emerged, why it matters, and what it means for the game's future.
Early Promises of Crossplay in 2023
When Sloclap revealed Rematch in early 2023, crossplay was a key selling point. The studio stressed that uniting players across all platforms—Xbox, PS5, and PC—was essential. Beta testing throughout late 2023 and early 2024 included crossplay, boosting expectations.
However, in developer posts on Discord, concerns began to surface. The team said they were working to stabilize crossplay but couldn’t promise it for launch. Despite this, players assumed it would be ready, especially since the game required an active multiplayer base.
Why Crossplay Matters in Multiplayer Games
In today’s gaming environment, crossplay isn’t just a feature—it’s a necessity. It allows friends to play together regardless of platform. It also increases the active player base and helps maintain healthy matchmaking.
Games like Rocket League thrive because they embraced crossplay early. For a multiplayer-only title like Rematch, lacking this function fragments the community and slows down matchmaking.
Developer Warnings Begin in March 2024
By March 2024, Sloclap admitted crossplay wouldn’t be ready at launch. They cited server integration issues and compatibility challenges across platforms. While their honesty was appreciated, fans grew concerned.
This news hit Xbox users especially hard. On Game Pass, their player pool was already isolated. Without crossplay, matchmaking became more difficult—especially during non-peak hours.
Technical Challenges Behind the Delay
Implementing crossplay is difficult. It requires syncing servers, equalizing gameplay across hardware, and working through restrictions set by Sony, Microsoft, and Steam.
For a small studio like Sloclap, this became a major hurdle. Their team lacked the resources of larger studios, forcing them to prioritize server stability before full platform integration.
June 16, 2025: Crossplay Delay Confirmed
Just hours before early access began, Sloclap confirmed crossplay would not be available at launch. They posted on Discord and social media, stating it remained a top priority. Still, the timing of this announcement angered many.
Players who purchased Pro or Elite editions expected seamless multiplayer with friends on all platforms. That trust was shaken.
Player Backlash and Media Coverage
Gaming media quickly picked up the story. Outlets like PC Gamer and Kotaku called the omission a “blow” to Rematch’s early momentum. On social media, players voiced their frustration.
Some posts praised the gameplay but warned that poor planning—especially around crossplay—could shorten the game’s lifespan.
Launch Day: June 19, 2025
Rematch launched with a bang, reaching one million players. Yet server issues flared up. Lag, desync, and long matchmaking queues affected gameplay.
The lack of crossplay made these issues worse. Xbox and PC players, confined to smaller server pools, waited longer for games. Server locks also prevented players from switching regions to improve their connection.
Game Pass: A Double-Edged Sword
Game Pass gave Rematch a massive player base, but it also raised expectations. Users expected a polished, modern multiplayer title. Without crossplay and with buggy servers, disappointment grew.
True Achievements called Rematch fun but flawed. Push Square echoed that sentiment, highlighting how much crossplay’s absence dragged down the overall experience.
Sloclap Responds With Apology and Roadmap
On June 20, the studio issued a formal apology. They promised crossplay remained a high-priority feature. Still, they provided no timeline, and many players remained skeptical.
Meanwhile, their roadmap teased future updates, including offline AI teammates and more seasonal content. Crossplay was listed as "in development," with beta testing planned later in 2025.
Impact on Player Retention and Comparisons to Rocket League
Without crossplay, retaining players is harder. As time passes, queue times grow, and active user counts shrink. Competing games like Rocket League offer full crossplay and smoother servers, drawing disillusioned players away.
Rematch’s early gameplay wins weren’t enough to offset its network limitations. Long-term success will depend on fast fixes and better integration across platforms.
Conclusion
Rematch delivered fun, arcade-style soccer but stumbled with a missing core feature. Sloclap’s decision to delay crossplay disappointed fans and hurt player trust. While the studio has acknowledged the issue and promised solutions, time is running short. To secure its future, Rematch must unite players—and soon.
