Super People, the ambitious battle royale title that briefly attempted to carve a niche for itself with a unique superpowers mechanic, is shutting down for good. This marks the second time the game has been discontinued, following an initial closure in due to dwindling player numbers. The final shutdown is scheduled for , according to a recent announcement from developer Wonder People.
The game’s trajectory has been turbulent. Initially launched to mixed reviews, Super People struggled with a significant cheating problem. Despite a relaunch into Early Access in after a series of closed beta tests and a reported shift in development philosophy, it failed to regain substantial traction. Player counts peaked at over 47,000 but plummeted to just 99 daily concurrent players as of today, .
Super People differentiated itself from established battle royale giants like Fortnite and PUBG by introducing a class-based system where players controlled “super-soldiers” equipped with a variety of powers and upgradeable abilities. These abilities could dynamically change during a match, allowing players to gain advantages like enhanced weaponry, super speed, or specialized skills. The concept aimed to add a layer of strategic depth beyond the typical shooting mechanics of the genre.
Wonder People is responding to the impending shutdown by disabling in-game purchases as of . Players who purchased in-game premium currency within seven days of the announcement are eligible for refunds. The announcement did not provide details regarding the future of the development team or the studio itself.
The failure of Super People, despite multiple attempts at revival, highlights the intense competition within the battle royale market. The genre, while still popular, is saturated with established titles and new contenders constantly vying for player attention. Standing out requires not only a compelling core gameplay loop but also consistent updates, robust anti-cheat measures, and effective community engagement – challenges that Super People ultimately couldn’t overcome.
Interestingly, Wonder People is currently working on another project, World of the Dead, described as an “immersive zombie FPS game that combines the first-person shooter and extraction PvPvE genres.” The game is listed on Steam, but currently lacks a firm release date. Whether Wonder People can leverage lessons learned from the Super People experience to achieve success with their next venture remains to be seen.
The initial shutdown in 2023 stemmed from the same core issue that ultimately led to the final closure: a lack of sustained player interest. The game’s return to Steam in Early Access was met with cautious optimism, but the numbers demonstrate that the relaunch failed to generate the necessary momentum. The drop from over 4,500 concurrent players after the September relaunch to a mere 99 indicates a rapid decline in engagement, suggesting fundamental issues with player retention.
The Super People saga serves as a cautionary tale for developers entering the battle royale space. Simply offering a novel twist on existing mechanics isn’t enough to guarantee success. Maintaining a healthy player base requires ongoing investment in content, bug fixes, and, crucially, addressing issues like cheating that can quickly erode the player experience. The game’s reliance on superpowers, while initially intriguing, may not have been enough to differentiate it sufficiently in a market dominated by established franchises.
The announcement on Steam acknowledged the game’s impending closure without offering extensive explanation. The brevity of the statement suggests a difficult decision made in the face of insurmountable challenges. The focus on providing refunds to recent purchasers indicates a degree of responsibility towards the remaining player base, even as the game nears its final shutdown.
