Gigantic: Rampage Edition launches to 'mostly positive' reviews on Steam, but server problems are once again causing headaches

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The developers of the newly-launched Gigantic: Rampage Edition have apologized for persistent server issues that are preventing players from joining the game, and say they're putting together a "compensation package" to make up for all the headaches.

After closing its doors in 2018, Gearbox's MOBA-hero shooter Gigantic made a surprise comeback in 2023, a purportedly one-off event that eventually blossomed into this week's launch of the updated Rampage Edition. In gameplay terms it's essentially identical to the original, with some new content added; the big change is that instead of relying on microtransactions, it's a single-purchase, pay-and-play game.

The response so far is "mostly positive" across almost 1,400 Steam user reviews—not a huge number, but not bad for day one either. But once again, game servers are causing headaches for everyone.

Problems first appeared with servers in Asia, but while Abstraction Games was able to get that sorted fairly quickly, disconnection troubles were soon widespread. Post-launch updates seem to have improved the situation for some players, but it's clear there are still issues to address. Some players have been able to access the game following the most recent update, which rolled out earlier this afternoon, but others are still struggling to get in.

&#128736;&#65039;Apologies all for the ongoing server issues. We are in the process of rolling out another fix. Players will see an interruption in their connections for about 15-20 minutes, but we hope to have you back in shortly following this. Thanks for all your patience while we sort this.&#128736;&#65039; — (Image credit: Gigantic: Rampage Edition (Twitter))

Interestingly, most of the players responding to the Gigantic update messages on Twitter don't seem to mind waiting, at least for now: Some are critical of various aspects of the game but the overall feeling seems to be gratitude that the game is back—and for those able to get in, happiness with the experience.

That is perhaps not surprising: The general consensus is that the original Gigantic didn't fail because of its gameplay, but due to over-aggressive microtransaction pricing. (Of course, squaring up with the then-hot-and-fresh Overwatch didn't help.)

"We're preparing some server updates that should be rolling out later today, we'll have further announcements on our social media channels and Discord then to keep you updated," the studio said in an announcement posted on Steam. "Additionally, we're preparing a compensation package for all players to make up for all the troubles and lost time, which we're looking to roll out after these updates."

The most recent up went live just a couple hours ago, at around 3 pm ET, and while it's too soon to call the server problems fixed, it does seem like things are headed in the right direction: Steam Charts indicates Gigantic: Rampage Edition has now climbed to an all-time peak concurrent player count of roughly 6,000.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.