Why Was Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Cancelled?
The cancellation of Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville (BfN), a seemingly promising entry in the beloved franchise, was a disappointment for many. While the game offered a unique blend of third-person shooter gameplay with the quirky Plants vs. Zombies charm, it ultimately fell short, leading to its abrupt end. The primary reason for BfN’s cancellation boils down to a combination of poor marketing, a troubled development cycle, and ultimately, underperformance in the market. The game struggled to gain traction, failing to maintain a healthy player base, which resulted in Electronic Arts (EA) pulling the plug on future content updates. Specifically, low player counts compared to previous titles in the series, compounded by significant development issues, led to EA ceasing support for the game.
The Perfect Storm of Failure
Marketing Missteps
One of the most significant contributors to BfN’s downfall was its lack of effective marketing. The game was essentially launched on the same day the founder’s trailer was released, a major misstep that deprived potential players of any pre-release buzz or awareness. This severely hindered initial sales and player acquisition. Without sufficient pre-release hype and strategic advertising, BfN was virtually unknown to a large portion of its potential audience. This contrasts sharply with successful game releases that often generate months of anticipation and marketing campaigns.
Development Troubles
The game’s development was reportedly fraught with difficulties. It appears the team was operating on a shoestring budget towards the end of its development cycle, which undoubtedly impacted the quality and quantity of post-launch content. This lack of funding translated into a struggle to deliver on planned features and updates, further eroding the game’s appeal. A lack of sufficient playtesting before launch became glaringly obvious once the game was in players’ hands, with various balance issues and bugs, further diminishing the game’s experience. The decision to launch with noticeable issues suggests a possible pressure to release the game even before it was truly ready.
Player Count Disparity and Poor Performance
Compared to previous titles like the Garden Warfare series, BfN’s player counts were drastically lower. Where the Garden Warfare games reportedly achieved player counts in the 9 million range, BfN struggled to even surpass 2 million. This massive difference in player engagement indicates that the game failed to capture the audience’s attention and maintain their interest. These player count issues indicate the game failed to resonate with the series’ established audience and attract new ones. This, paired with the lack of ongoing revenue, ultimately led to the decision to cancel further development.
The Unfortunate Timing
The cancellation came rather quickly, with the final update arriving around September 29, 2020, less than a year after its official release. This short lifespan is another indication of the game’s failure to meet expectations and sustain its presence in the competitive gaming landscape. This quick cancellation meant many promised features and ideas were scrapped, leaving players disappointed with an unfinished experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What exactly is Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville (BfN)?
BfN is a third-person shooter video game in the Plants vs. Zombies franchise. It’s considered a sequel to the Garden Warfare games but lacks that series’ namesake. It features both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) game modes, alongside free-roam areas to explore.
When was BfN officially discontinued?
The game officially stopped receiving updates on September 29, 2020.
Was there any planned content that was scrapped?
Yes, many upcoming contents for the game were scrapped due to its discontinuation. These included new characters, maps, game modes, and customization options. The budget constraints directly impacted the amount of content that could be developed.
Was Battle for Neighborville a financial success?
No, it appears that BfN did not generate enough revenue to justify continued development and support. Its underperformance relative to previous entries likely influenced EA’s decision to halt updates.
Is BfN a sequel to the Garden Warfare games?
Despite not having “Garden Warfare” in the title, Battle for Neighborville is indeed a sequel to the Garden Warfare series, both in terms of gameplay and story.
Is Plants vs. Zombies 4 in development?
According to the information available, there are no plans for a Plants vs. Zombies 4. The current sentiment is that Plants vs. Zombies 3 might be the end of the storyline.
Does BfN have a story mode?
Yes, BfN does have a story campaign mode, which is considered one of its stronger points by players. The campaign provides a series of missions and challenges for players to enjoy.
Is there crossplay in Battle for Neighborville?
Unfortunately, BfN does not support crossplay between different gaming platforms.
Is BfN worth buying now?
Whether BfN is worth buying depends on what you’re looking for. While the PvE content is generally considered subpar, the PvP multiplayer can be fun and addictive. If you enjoy chaotic, cartoonish shooters, it might be worth a try, but manage your expectations.
How long does it take to complete BfN?
The main story campaign of BfN can take about 5 hours to complete, but achieving 100% completion can take upwards of 174 hours, for those dedicated players.
Is Battle for Neighborville safe for kids?
Yes, BfN is considered family-friendly. It has no strong language, blood, or gore. It’s a third-person shooter with a cartoon aesthetic, making it generally safe for kids.
What are some of the unique features in PvZ: Battle for Neighborville?
PvZ: Battle for Neighborville on Nintendo Switch has the ability to use motion controls to aim, free-roam regions, hidden gnomes, unlockable customizations through gameplay, and access to the Prize Maps.
What are the strongest zombies in Battle for Neighborville?
According to some rankings, the strongest zombies in BfN are:
- Space Cadet
- Imp
- All-Star
- Captain Deadbeard
- 80s Action Hero
- Super Brainz
Is Torchwood a playable character in BfN?
Yes, Torchwood is a playable plant class in Battle for Neighborville. He is a defensive class with high health and a focus on dealing massive damage.
Is Plants vs Zombies a free game?
While some Plants vs Zombies games, like Plants vs. Zombies 3, are free-to-play, most of the main series requires purchase. The push towards microtransactions, under EA’s ownership, has also shifted the monetization strategies for the franchise.