"Deceive Inc. is a case study on how a good game can be killed off by misfitting a business model and outdated views on cross-platform multiplayer. "
PvP Multiplayer.
Deceive Inc. is essentially dead on all platforms once you leave the bot-infested new player queue. Experienced players often have to manually arrange matches via third-party matchmaking tools or wait 5+ minutes during peak times for a lobby to fill organically (if it manages to fill at all).
Unfortunately, Deceive Inc has gone beyond the saving point, while the developers did a lot of things right, such as cross-platform multiplayer and non-expiring battle passes, by marketing Deceive Inc as a buy-2-own game vs a free-2-play title, and by failing to incorporate robust cross-platform progression, they ensured that Deceive Inc would not be popular with the masses.
I must be honest here: I loved Deceive Inc., but just as I stated in my original review, the fact I could not access my progress on whatever platform I was currently on for me was a deal breaker.
When I play Fortnite or Call of Duty, I know I can access my account on My PS5, PC, Xbox Series X or even Nintendo Switch.
Unfortunately, Deceive Inc. forced me to maintain separate unlocks and purchases on each platform, which ultimately caused me to drop the game after just a few weeks despite finding it visually appealing and mechanically enjoyable.
If the developers had not been forced to cease development in late 2024, in theory, Deceive Inc. could have been relaunched as a free-2-play title with full cross-platform progression; it might have recovered.
However, various platforms have given away Deceive Inc. multiple times, and it has barely moved the needle.
Once a game is widely regarded as dead by its most loyal fanbase, it is very difficult to revive it.
The stigma of being a dead game serves as an indelible reminder of the dangers of investing time and money in a title that could potentially disappear at any time.
In short, while I would love to see Deceive Inc. re-enter development, I just do not see a viable path for that to happen without external funding and a new monetization model to ensure ongoing development.
I like Deceive Inc. and enjoyed my time with it. However, there is no reason to play or purchase it in 2025, when the servers could be switched off at any time.
