Summary
The previously shut-down multiplayer gameGiganticis making a temporary return as Gearbox Publishing announces plans for an invite-only throwback event.Giganticwas a free-to-play third-person hero shooter featuring team-based combat assisted by massive AI guardians, a cross betweenOverwatchand a MOBA. DespiteGigantic’s servers going offline in 2018,Gearboxis planning to bring back the game – if only for a weekend.
Development ofGiganticreportedly began as far back as 2013, with developer Motiga securing substantial funding and support from publisher Perfect World Entertainment in 2014. Yet Motiga’s ambition for the project would ultimately prove to beGigantic’s downfall.Giganticsuffered multiple substantial delays, allowingOverwatchto beat it to market and establish a dominant presence. Just months afterGigantic’s full launch,Perfect World shut down MotigaandGiganticspent its last months online with only a skeleton crew supporting it.
To many’s surprise, Gearbox Publishing sent out an email on Tuesday invitingpastGiganticplayersto return to the game for a weekend Throwback Event. “You’re Invited to PlayGigantic(Again!)” reads the title of the email. Inside the email is an invitation to playGiganticon October 5 and 6, a one-time return for the shut-down project. There is one catch, however. TheGiganticThrowback Event is invite-only, and all players have to agree to an NDA, preventing them from talking about the event or sharing any media from it.
It isn’t just the return ofGiganticthat makes this announcement so shocking, however. Gearbox also confirms that the Throwback Event will feature substantial additions toGiganticthat have never been seen before, including a new fast-paced Rush game mode, revamped tutorials, progression, customization, and a Fortune Card system that sounds a lot like the foundation for future monetization. In other words, theGiganticThrowback Event may very well be Gearbox’s test to prepare for the full return of thefree-to-play game.
To clarify,Giganticpublisher Perfect World rebranded to Gearbox Publishing in early 2022, following itsacquisition by Embracer Group in late 2021. Gearbox Software, known for theBorderlandsfranchise and its own publishing efforts, is separate. That’s why Gearbox Publishing is able to bring backGigantic, even if it’s only for a weekend.
There are many unanswered questions that stand out from the announcement ofGigantic’s Throwback Event. Why does it need an NDA if it’s just a one-off weekend? Why go to such a great effort to bring backGiganticwith new content if it’s just a one-off weekend? The answers all seem to point to the possibility ofGiganticbeing relaunched. Perhaps the hero shooter will find more success in 2023 than it did in 2017.
Giganticis coming back for a PC-exclusive weekend on October 5 and 6.
