# Square Enix's Forgotten Loot-Shooter Was Years Ahead of Its Time

> Outriders, Square Enix's 2021 loot-shooter, predated modern multiplayer shooters by years.
- Title: Square Enix's Forgotten Loot-Shooter Was Years Ahead of Its…
- Summary: Outriders, Square Enix's 2021 loot-shooter, predated modern multiplayer shooters by years. Square Enix's 2021 game Outriders had mechanics and features that…
- Keywords: outriders, square enix, people can fly, loot-shooter, multiplayer shooter, 2021 game, arc raiders, marathon, gaming, culture, Square, Enix's
- Source: Polygon — https://polygon.com/outridrers-retrospective-review-square-enix
- Author: Ari Notis
- Published: 2026-10-09T22:58:06+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: outriders, square enix, people can fly, loot-shooter, multiplayer shooter, 2021 game, arc raiders, marathon, gaming, culture
## Outriders launched in 2021
People Can Fly's Outriders, published by Square Enix, released on April 1, 2021.
## Outriders was a multiplayer shooter
Players venturing from a hub city into hostile areas to shoot enemies and grab loot.
## Outriders had four character classes
The Trickster, Technomancer, Devastator, and Pyromancer each offered unique gameplay mechanics.
## Outriders included 15 difficulty tiers
Players could level up World Tiers to adjust enemy difficulty and loot quality.
## Outriders had a rocky launch
The game faced server issues and balance problems but gained 3 million players in its first month.
## Outriders was abandoned after 2022
A 2022 expansion failed to attract new players, and People Can Fly laid off staff in 2024 and 2025.
## Outriders servers remain online
Unlike many forgotten games, Outriders' servers are still active as of 2025.
## Key takeaway

Square Enix's 2021 game Outriders had mechanics and features that matched today's popular loot-shooters but was overlooked.