At the end of June 2019, the two auto-chess games Dota Underlords and Teamfight Tactics were released. Both were very successful at the beginning but are now struggling with different issues.
How did the release of the two games go? Dota Underlords and Teamfight Tactics were both launched very close together. Valve’s auto-chess game started its open beta on June 20, while Riot Games followed with TFT in Europe on June 26.
Both games had a very successful release. Underlords reached 4th place in the Steam charts, while TFT managed to secure the first place on Twitch even before its official release.
After that, both games competed for viewers and players, with a clear winner emerging quickly.
Which game is more successful? On Twitch and also in terms of overall media interest, Teamfight Tactics has been leading significantly. This is also shown in the overview provided by Google Trends below.
However, you cannot make an accurate statement about player numbers, as there is no separate figure for TFT.
But both games are currently struggling with declining interest:
- Dota Underlords had an average of 32,246 players in the last 30 days according to Steamcharts, while in the entire month of July, there were still 58,456.
- Teamfight Tactics, on the other hand, lost 40% of its average viewers on Twitch in the last 14 days according to Sullygnomes. Where 40,000 people were watching daily in the two weeks prior, now only 23,600 are left.
Where are the issues? Both games initially benefited from a massive hype that has since worn off. However, both also have their own individual problems.
Dota Underlords is currently experiencing an identity crisis, while Teamfight Tactics has released many new features but neglected a crucial aspect.
Therefore, we will take a closer look at the problems of both games and their plans for the future.
Dota Underlords in an Identity Crisis
What is the main problem with Underlords? Underlords was developed from the outset for both PC and mobile. However, this has led to a real identity crisis.
While visually and from the interface, the PC version resembles a mobile game, the rounds simply take far too long to be played on the go.
Typically, players spend 10 or 20 minutes on a mobile game while commuting or during breaks. However, a round of Dota Underlords can easily take up to 50 minutes. Clearly too long for a mobile game.
What is currently happening with Underlords? Even though the numbers have declined, Dota Underlords is still ranked 13th in the Steam charts. It still has a large fanbase.
Updates are also being released regularly. On August 30, the auto chess game received a brand new tactical component. You can now build barricades and structures that influence the gameplay.
Additionally, there have been regular balance patches.
What are the plans for the future? Soon, the first season of Underlords is set to begin. Then, the game is also expected to officially lose its beta status. This will bring along many new changes, including:
- The Underlords, which are set to be released soon
- A 2v2v2v2 mode
- UI adjustments
The UI adjustments are particularly interesting because they could solve the problem of Underlords feeling too much like a mobile game.
Is TFT not competitive enough?
What is the main problem with TFT? Teamfight Tactics wants to stay relevant and in motion, which is why a balance patch has been released every week to prevent any meta from becoming too rigid.
However, the players would much rather have new features like a spectator mode that would allow for tournaments to be held.
Many hope that this will make TFT more competitive.
Can TFT become more competitive? As reported by Dexerto, Jack Etienne, CEO of Cloud 9, believes in the success of Teamfight Tactics in the competitive field:
I love working with Riot, I love TFT, I see the popularity of the game. Maybe not all the conditions are set for TFT to be suitable for esports, but in my opinion, there is enough interest to take a risk and engage.
However, he also expects a well-functioning spectator mode for this. This currently has the highest priority at Riot Games itself.
What are the plans for the future? Patch 9.18 is coming up next week. However, unlike originally planned, it will not bring the new item Combat Gloves. That item is now set to release with patch 9.19.
The announced changes to item distribution are set to make their way into the game by Thursday. They are intended to reduce randomness, even though they will make the game even more random:
Additionally, Teamfight Tactics is planning complete rotations of champions and even classes and origins for the longer term so that there is always movement in the game.
Both Games Plan for the Long Term
What does the future of Auto Chess look like? Even though Dota Underlords and Teamfight Tactics are both struggling with declining interest and lower player numbers than at release, both Valve and Riot Games are planning for the long term with the games.
Their plans for the future of the games look interesting and also address the issues that are currently being criticized by players.
It will be particularly exciting to see whether TFT succeeds in becoming competitive and whether Underlords can find the balance between PC and mobile. A potential solution could be a speed mode already discussed, similar to Chess Rush, that reduces rounds to 10 to 20 minutes:
