Released on the 6th February — and available day one through PS Plus Essential — Foamstars has, reportedly, seen its player numbers completely fall off a cliff over the last couple of months. As researched by TrueTrophies, using PSN gameplay data, the stylised PS5 and PS4 shooter has now lost around 95% of its player count since launch.
That’s a brutal decline for any game, but for a live service title, it’s the kind of stat that immediately raises questions regarding longevity. Launching an attractive live service game is hard enough, but keeping it alive for a reasonable amount of time is even harder. The hardest part of all, though? Regaining lost ground once the game starts slipping — a near impossible task when your title’s stuck with an increasingly negative perception.
Of course, it doesn’t help that Foamstars released just two days before Helldivers 2 — a live service game that’s gone on to become an absolute smash hit. It’s one hell (pun not intended) of a contrast, and just goes to show how volatile the live service landscape is at this point.
It’s also worth mentioning that Foamstars has come under fire for its monetisation model. Priced at $29.99 / £24.99, it’s not a free-to-play title, but that hasn’t stopped it from being stuffed with in-game purchases — some of which are eye-wateringly expensive.
Did you have higher expectations for Foamstars? What do you think the game’s near future looks like? Add another one to the list in the comments section below.
Laura Adams is a tech enthusiast residing in the UK. Her articles cover the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets, providing readers with a glimpse into the future of technology.
