Deceive Inc: A Game that Refuses to Die

Deceive Inc, a 2023 ‘PvP Hitman’ shooter, has defied expectations and continues to thrive despite its small community and lack of mainstream success. Developed by Sweet Bandits, the game attracted a passionate but niche audience, and its publisher, Tripwire Interactive, has decided to take a unique approach to ensure its longevity.

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In an interview with PC Gamer, publishing director Bryan West explained the reasoning behind Tripwire’s decision to invest time and resources into Deceive Inc. According to West, the core message is that Tripwire wants players to be able to enjoy their games for as long as they want to, and they will fight to make that happen.

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Custom server tools and community browsers were once the norm for PC games, but in the age of matchmaking algorithms and expected cross-play functionality, multiplayer games are built around closed networking and dedicated servers. Undoing that process for Deceive Inc is not a small task, as West explains: ‘It’s several months of work for a very high-level engineer. It’s not inconsequential, but in terms of the gains, I would say it’s very important for Tripwire as a business that relies on its reputation with gamers.’

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West describes Deceive Inc as a learning experience for Tripwire, and one that has changed their perspective on live-service games. They have realized that what works for Chivalry 2 may not work for other games, and as a decision maker, West is now more interested in products built to last.

‘As a publishing director reviewing stuff regularly, I’d say any small team that’s looking to do that live-service model is a red flag for us,’ West said. ‘We are looking for and prioritizing games that either have peer-to-peer setups, or something like what we’re doing with Deceive Inc right now, where it’s more community server-run.’

West calls it the ‘Valheim approach, where you can hook up however you want, and there’s not that crazy ongoing cost.’ This approach is seen as a way to ensure the longevity of games, and to give players more control over their gaming experience.

The Live Service Problem

The experience of Deceive Inc has been a learning curve for Tripwire, and one that has made them more cautious in their approach to live-service games. They have realized that the live-service model is not always the best approach, and that games built to last are more likely to succeed in the long term.

West explained that the hope was that Deceive Inc would be a more friendly game on the surface, but when you get into it, it’s a very hardcore shooter at its core. The conceit of Deceive Inc is spies versus spies: squads of three don civilian disguises and act like NPCs while completing tasks. When a match really comes together, it’s one of the most unique competitive games ever played—channeling Hitman, SpyParty, and hero shooters all at once.

The game’s small community and lack of mainstream success have been a challenge for Sweet Bandits, but Tripwire’s decision to invest in Deceive Inc has given the game a new lease on life. The beta for its custom server tools is coming soon, and the game is still available on Steam.

West’s comments highlight the importance of community and player engagement in the gaming industry. He emphasizes the need for games to be built to last, and for players to have control over their gaming experience.

Deceive Inc may not be a mainstream success, but its unique approach to multiplayer gaming has made it a standout title in the gaming industry. Its story serves as a reminder of the importance of community and player engagement, and the need for games to be built to last.

Conclusion

Deceive Inc’s story is one of a game that refused to die. Despite its small community and lack of mainstream success, the game has continued to thrive thanks to Tripwire’s decision to invest in its custom server tools and community browsers. The game’s unique approach to multiplayer gaming has made it a standout title in the gaming industry, and its story serves as a reminder of the importance of community and player engagement.