Summary
- Release Year: 2014
- Genres: MOBA
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Waystone games
- Publishers: Electronic Arts
Dawngate: A Postmortem of a Failed MOBA
Dawngate was a team-based multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Waystone Games and published by Electronic Arts. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 2014, but was shut down in 2015 due to lack of sufficient returns and disappointing results.
Dawngate was meant to be EA’s foray into the MOBA eSports scene, but it failed to live up to expectations. Despite having a solid foundation and some innovative features, the game was unable to compete with the established giants of the genre, such as League of Legends and Dota 2.
Gameplay
Dawngate was a team-oriented game where a group of five players (shapers) worked together to complete objectives and destroy the enemy guardian. Destroying the guardian would win the game for the team.
Players controlled hero characters named Shapers. Shapers could have their stats modified by players by choosing spells and items, and had the ability to access wards that could be placed to provide vision to areas of the map for their team.
Dawngate featured a unique “karma” system, which rewarded players for positive behavior such as helping teammates and playing objectives. Karma could be used to purchase items and abilities, giving players a strategic advantage in battle.
Development and Release
Dawngate was in development for over two years before it was released in 2014. The game was initially well-received by critics, who praised its innovative gameplay and unique art style. However, the game struggled to attract and retain players, and the player base dwindled over time.
In 2015, EA announced that it would be shutting down Dawngate’s servers. The game’s closure was met with disappointment from the community, but many understood that the game had failed to live up to expectations.
Reasons for Failure
There are a number of reasons why Dawngate failed to achieve success.
- Competition: The MOBA market is dominated by a few large games, such as League of Legends and Dota 2. Dawngate was unable to compete with these established giants, and it struggled to attract and retain players.
- Lack of Innovation: While Dawngate had some innovative features, such as the karma system, it did not do enough to differentiate itself from the competition. Players were not willing to switch from their favorite MOBAs to play Dawngate.
- Marketing: EA did not do a good job of marketing Dawngate. The game was not widely known, and it failed to generate buzz among the gaming community.
- Bugs and Technical Issues: Dawngate was plagued by bugs and technical issues at launch. These issues frustrated players and made it difficult to enjoy the game.
Legacy
Despite its failure, Dawngate left a lasting legacy on the MOBA genre. The game’s unique karma system and emphasis on teamwork were influential in the development of other MOBAs, such as Smite and Paragon.
Dawngate also helped to raise the profile of Waystone Games. The studio has since gone on to develop other successful games, such as Echo of Soul and Fractured.
Conclusion
Dawngate was a well-made game with a lot of potential. However, it was unable to compete with the established giants of the MOBA genre, and it failed to attract and retain players. The game’s closure was a disappointment, but it left a lasting legacy on the MOBA genre.
Review Score
6.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
