The PlayStation exclusive game Foamstars, designed for both PS4 and PS5, is facing a notable decrease in its player base. Foamstars is an online party shooter game by Square Enix, involving 4v4 gameplay, which was initially likened to Nintendo's Splatoon series. The game garnered attention when it was announced that it would be available as a free PS Plus game on its launch day.

In February, Foamstars was included in the free PS Plus lineup, attracting many PlayStation enthusiasts to give it a try. Regrettably, the game received a mix of negative reviews from critics, leading to a failure in sustaining fan engagement over time.

A report by True Trophies revealed that the player count of Foamstars has plummeted by a significant 94%. While the initial surge in players could be attributed to its inclusion in PS Plus, this drop is detrimental for a game reliant on an active player community. As a multiplayer-only game, an inactive player base renders the game virtually obsolete. Yet, there remains a possibility for Foamstars to stage a comeback.

History indicates that multiplayer-only games have a higher chance of success when offered as free-to-play titles. The decision to place Foamstars behind a $30 paywall is a key factor hindering new player acquisition. Transitioning to a free-to-play model might enhance the game's prospects, particularly if accompanied by substantial content updates.

However, gamers have limited time for gaming, and the tepid reception of Foamstars suggests that players are inclined to invest their time in other more positively-received titles. It is improbable that PlayStation gamers would abandon popular titles like Helldivers 2 to engage with Foamstars. Additionally, the gaming landscape in 2024 is brimming with new releases, such as PS5 exclusives like Rise of the Ronin and major third-party games like Dragon's Dogma 2 and Tekken 8, which are likely to divert attention from Foamstars. While gaming revivals have occurred in the past, the fierce competition and the cost barrier for a multiplayer-focused experience could spell trouble for the future of Foamstars.