EXCLUSIVE: FairGames Struggles to ‘Find The Fun’ in Latest Pre-Alpha Playtest
Haven Studios’ latest pre-alpha playtest of FairGames, conducted under the codename ’espresso’, has revealed the game continues to struggle with finding its fun factor, according to sources familiar with the development. The playtest featured the ‘Cargo Heist’ gamemode, an extraction-based experience where players load into a map to loot, break vaults, and then extract to a designated area. The intended mechanic appears to draw inspiration from extraction shooters, a popular genre that emphasizes high-stakes gameplay and permanent loss consequences.
However, the developers have implemented respawn mechanics into the mode, which sources suggest undermines the high-stakes tension typically central to extraction-based games. The playtest involved four three-player teams and generated gameplay footage that was provided to Insider Gaming under confidentiality agreements. The feedback indicates FairGames remains in early development stages with significant work ahead before reaching a state ready for public release. Haven Studios has not publicly announced an official launch date or target platforms for the title.