The BR space is always changing. Innovation, then, is not a choice; it’s a necessity for survival. After all, how does one conquer the world with that much cutthroat competition? In order to stand out, developers continuously need to introduce fresh experiences in the gameplay. SuperGaming’s made-in-India-for-the-world battle royale title, Indus, has recently entered its Open Beta phase, setting a new benchmark with its unique feature, Grudge.
Ever experienced that explosion of frustration when another player kills you, only to rub salt in the wound with gloating remarks or unsportsmanlike gestures? We’ve all had moments where we wished for an opportunity to even the score. The creators behind Indus know this sentiment well, as they have experienced it themselves as competitive gamers. Grudge, their revenge mechanic, offers opportunities for players to settle rivalries straight away in the game.
HUNTER vs DEFENDER: ADDING DEPTH TO THE BATTLE ROYALE EXPERIENCE
The Grudge feature introduces an entirely new layer to Indus, allowing players to indulge in personal vendettas. Through this system, players or squads can adopt one of two roles: Hunter or Defender. Each role offers distinct gameplay experiences that can alter the course of a match.
- Hunter: At the declaration of a Grudge by any player or team, the game turns the declaration-maker into a Hunter, providing some assists that helps the hunter trace the chosen adversary to fight against. It starts with an Ejection Notice, which informs the Hunter of their target’s ejection from the starting flight, thus providing them with a head start in preparing a scheme. Throughout the game, other clues are again provided that can bring the fight closer and closer to their nemesis.
- Defender: On the other hand, the victim player turns out to be the Defender. Not knowing where the Hunter is would be too much of an ask, so they would know how far the threat is and that it’s already present. Thus, suspense becomes very high in such a scenario since it forces the Defenders to stay alert and come up with strategies to evade or face their chasers.
This cross-talk interaction throws a whole strategic spin into the BR genre and translates the quotidian encounter into a tight, high-stakes showdown.
THE ESSENCE OF GRUDGE: ELEVATING PERSONAL VENDETTAS
At its core, Grudge makes players who want to get their emotions involved in the play pursue and solve in-game rivalries in a more concrete manner. The system recognizes that there’s an innate desire for revenge, domination, and the satisfaction of besting a tough opponent—sentiments that have traditionally been confined to self-satisfaction.
Then, at the touch of a button, players can declare vendetta against an opponent or squad. Then this layer of rivalry seamlessly fits into the gameplay without interrupting the core mechanics of BR. This is not an optional add-on but quite a defining feature of Indus’s identity to enhance the overall player experience by giving more agency to influence their game outcomes.
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION: ENHANCING THE BR EXPERIENCE
One of the most impressive things about Grudge is how it seems so natural in the frame of existing BR play. All interactions with Grudge actually happen outside of the core gameplay loop, which makes these feel more like part of the UI flow steering players both before and after sessions. Thus, it ensures that the Grudge mechanic adds on rather than taking away from the adrenaline-pumping fast action characteristic to this genre.
The information provided to the players—the Zone Telegraphing for Hunters, and Vicinity Tracker for Defenders—makes Grudge intuitive and scalable. Each role now has just sufficient information to keep the gameplay dynamic, allowing for new strategies and tactics. This would mean a Hunter can either be an active pursuer of his target or choose a more tactical approach, while the Defenders can actually choose when to confront their pursuers or opt out for stealth to avoid being caught.
GRUDGE WARS: TAKING RIVALRIES TO THE NEXT LEVEL
SuperGaming is getting Indus to expand the Battle Royale genre. The Grudge Wars tournament, which has been running recently, offers the ultimate stage for players to showcase their rivalries and prove their dominance.
The competition had a prize pool of astonishing ₹10,00,000 in cash. Throughout the week, teams will be competing in qualifiers hoping to make it into the grand finale, in which 15 of the best pro and challenger teams will clash on September 20 in a Best of 7 series. In addition to that pro-level competition, there are opportunities for up-and-coming teams and solo players to grab cash prizes.
From the depths of battling it out for glory in the Pro League to fighting one’s way up through ranks in the Challengers League, the stakes have never been steeper in Indus’s world of Grudge warfare.
A NEW ERA FOR BATTLE ROYALE
Indus’ Grudge does not innovate from inside the realm of the Battle Royale genre; it reinvents it. This leaves room for players to interact and compete in ways that are not only meaningful but also impactful in every encounter. Evolution and perfection in the game’s mechanics will see the Grudge system become its standout innovation—a factor that could nudge future titles to bite the bullet and have more player-driven narratives.
A platform for the gamer who seeks survival is what Indus offers, to settle scores and ascertain who’s on top. And the next time that rival takes you down in-game, you just remember: you may just get your chance next time, and this time with Grudge as your weapon of choice.
