In the ever-expanding landscape of online gaming, two titles come to mind based on similarities, each vying for a chunk of gamers looking to indulge in the hero-based shooter genre.Marvel RivalsandGigantic Rampage Editionshare striking similarities, but their divergent paths could spell a decisive outcome. Let’s delve into their features, player base, and potential impact.
Team-Based Gameplay: Both games thrive on team dynamics. Whether you’re coordinating with fellow Marvel heroes or battling alongside Gigantic’s diverse cast, teamwork is essential.
Battlefields: Marvel Rivals features dynamic "ever-changing" environments, and Gigantic Rampage Edition has more whimsical environments. From iconic Marvel worlds to fantastical stages in Gigantic, players must adapt for victory.
Unique Abilities: Heroes in both games possess distinct abilities.
The Crucial Differences
Brand Recognition
Marvel Rivals wields the mighty Mjolnir of brand recognition. The Marvel universe is a cultural juggernaut, drawing fans from comics, movies, and TV shows. Gigantic, while enjoyed by its community, lacks the same global recognition. Marvel will have higher expectations.
Price Model
Marvel’s decision to go free-to-play mirrors Gigantic’s original approach. By removing the paywall, Marvel Rivals opens its doors wider, potentially attracting a larger player base. Gigantic, despite its revival, must contend with this competitive pricing strategy. On the bright side, Gigantic Rampage Edition has no microtransactions.
The Verdict
While Gigantic has a player base, complaints are still there when it comes to wait times. This brings up concerns about how long the player base will last. Marvel Rivals could be the proverbial Thanos snap that tips the scales, but will it have what it takes to survive? It appears to have accessibility, synergy-rich gameplay, and Marvel rep makes it a formidable contender. Will Gigantic Rampage Edition, withstand this superhero onslaught? To be determined.
So, I had quite the adventure getting Gigantic installed and not... running. First, I had to deal with missing DLL warnings, that I resolved by uninstalling and reinstall the game.
Then, I had to jump onto the Arc platform and create a new account because you can't justt play the game from Steam. But finally, I can say with certainty... if you owned the original version, you have to buy Gigantic Rampage Edition if you want back in.
I kinda get why they did it - they want to bring in new sales and stuff. and I respect that. However, I think it's a missed opportunity to grow the player base. They could have given Rampage Edition owners access to exclusive stages that the original owners can't play. This would have increased the incentive to buy, while giving Rampage Edition owners access to other players.
I mean, let's be real here: we don't know who's willing to return. So, opening up the opportunity to play with Rampage Edition owners would have been a really cool way to reignite interest in the game. But, hindsight is 20/20, and... it is what it is.
I thoroughly enjoyed Gigantic for the most part back in it's free-to-play days, and could totally understand why it was an award winning MOBA. It sealed the deal for "Best MOBA" back at GAMESCOM 2016! What made it even better is that it didn't require a lot of oomph from your PC to enjoy, and I even found myself playing it on a laptop with decent specs after a certain shipping company lost my gaming laptop and it had to be replaced (long story). Anyway, it doesn't hurt for it to be back in paid form... but I do have my reservations.
A number of you can pull up Gigantic right now (if you owned the game) and see that there's a notice tucked in there that reads: At the request of the publisher, Gigantic is unlisted on the Steam store and will not appear in search.
What's stopping that from happening with the paid version? I get that there was a developer and publisher swap from Motiga Inc. & Perfect World Entertainment... to Abstraction Games & Gearbox Publishing, but will the old door be accessible to previous players who dropped coin to support it initially or will we be expected to enter the game through a new paygate with fingers crossed that it will remain up and running this time around? I get it, new ownership... but the paranoia's real folks.
To potentially answer my own question (to a certan degree) with an answer from Gearbox:
Gigantic: Rampage Edition is developed by Abstraction Games, keeping the core of what made Gigantic special, while adding exciting new features. - Gigantic FAQ
This likely means that the build recycled a number of assets we're familiar with and possibly polished them up through a new engine of sorts... without the need to fully program everything (since the source code was already there). So it may look the same, but it may be a better looking clone. Plus the system requirements have been bumped up... which certainly indicates a change. I remain optimistic until launch because of what's listed in the original's system requirements.
Previous System Requirements
MINIMUM:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS *: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64-bit)
Processor: 2.6Ghz processor
Memory: 6 GB RAM
Graphics: GeForce GTX 580, DirectX 11.1-compatible video card (Nvidia or AMD only)
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 10 GB available space
Additional Notes: 6 GB RAM requirement refers to usable memory only
RECOMMENDED:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
* Starting January 1st, 2024, the Steam Client will only support Windows 10 and later versions. Why would this be listed if previous owners no longer have access? Are we back on?! Stay tuned!
Current System Requirements
MINIMUM:
OS: Windows 10 x64
Processor: Intel Core i3-4160 (2 * 3600) or equivalent/AMD Athlon X4 860K (4 * 3700) or equivalent
I'm happy to see that it's back, and the least they can do with the hero shooter is allow gamers to take it under our wing if Gearbox ever gets the urge to walk away. Anyway, this crossplatform 5v5 MOBA... drops April 9th (2024) for $19.99, snag it for 20% Off while the get'ns good! You might find me representing out there with Grandma Griselma.
GO GIGANTIC! THE UNIQUE MOBA HERO SHOOTER RETURNS!
GIGANTIC: RAMPAGE EDITIONis a premium and definitive release of the original 5v5 MOBA Hero Shooter, GIGANTIC , that provides a dynamic and exciting team-based multiplayer experience for fans of both genres. Choose from a diverse roster of unique heroes, each with a set of upgradeable abilities, and team up with four other players to control objectives and take down the opposing team’s mighty Guardian, all while protecting your own. GIGANTIC: RAMPAGE EDITIONincludes a new game mode, cross platform play, new heroes, new maps, and gameplay improvements that give fans a bigger and more complete GIGANTIC experience than ever before, while welcoming new players to the action and fun-filled world of a Hero Shooter.
FEATURES: EVERYTHING FROM THE ORIGINAL GIGANTIC AND MORE!
EXCITING ROSTER OF HEROES - 23 returning heroes and new heroes to select from, all with a unique set of offensive and defensive capabilities, including their own ultimate abilities. Choose a hero, join a team and go against another team in 5v5 battles to see who will win it all!
NEW HEROES:
ROLAND - A world-hardened man, who lost his arm, but gained unparalleled reach.
KAJIR - A fast reflexed feline who has a taste for fighting in the alley and streets.
EXPANSIVE AND INTRICATE MAPS – Set in a vibrant fun-filled world, prepare to jump into and blast your way across expansive battlefields with creatures, such as massive Guardians, to aid you in battle!
NEW MAPS:
PICARO BAY - A breezy seaside map with verticality, narrow alleyways, and a pirate ship for waging fast paced clashes.
HEAVEN’S WARD – A heavily industrialized district that showcases an old power plant, warehouses, and factories with many nooks and crannies for players to have a blast in.
CUSTOMIZATION AND HERO PROGRESSION – Make your favorite GIGANTIC hero your own! Build and customize individual hero loadouts that match your playstyle, unlock and choose from a variety of hero and weapon skins, including new skins not from the original game, and unlock additional content for your hero as you progress!
GAME MODES:
RUSH – A new game mode that is more accessible, fast-paced and action-packed for all players bringing a streamlined GIGANTIC experience that lets players jump in and get into the action with ease.
CLASH – The original game mode players from the classic version of GIGANTIC is back, bringing a deeply strategic and thrilling team-based experience for more epic matches.
CUSTOM – Create your own exciting matches where you can pick a map, compete against friends to refine your skills on the battlefield, and also spectate.
CROSS PLATFORM PLAY BETWEEN CONSOLES AND PC Team up and jump into epic matches with friends across multiple platforms.
FREE POST LAUNCH CONTENT: Following the launch of RAMPAGE EDITION, a Ranked Mode and new hero skins will be released for free via updates.
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By the way, someone asked why we promote the Purple seat cushion so much. The reason being is that there are a number of adult gamers and some underage gamers dealing with back issues. There are gamers who would love to game on PC, but... it's literally a pain for them to sit in a PC chair compared to their couch. It could be pain from a car accident, a workplace injury, or something else that occurred off the clock. While we do recommend getting up to stretch and even partiking in exercise... this helps. The Cushion Designed for Gaming!
