{{Short description|2021 multiplayer-only action video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Knockout City | image = Knockout City cover art.png | developer = [[Velan Studios]] | publisher = [[Electronic Arts]] (2021–22){{efn|Published under the EA Originals label.}}<br>Velan Studios (2022–) | director = Jeremy Russo | producer = Rich Nolan Jr.<br>Kevin Teich | programmer = Greg Oberg | artist = Ben Greene | platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]}} | released = May 21, 2021 | genre = [[Action game|Action]], [[Sports game|Sports]] | modes = [[Multiplayer]] }}
'''''Knockout City''''' was an [[action video game]] developed by [[Velan Studios]]. Publisher [[Electronic Arts]] released the game for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] in May 2021 under its EA Originals label. Velan Studios took over publishing duties in June 2022, and the game transitioned into a fully [[free-to-play]] title on June 1, 2022. The game's public servers shut down as of June 6, 2023, which ended the ability to play the game on all consoles; however a separate version developed for Windows, designed for players to host their own private servers, is available.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Knockout City {{!}} The Future of Knockout City |url=https://www.knockoutcity.com/updates/knockout-city-special-announcement |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=www.knockoutcity.com}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
==Gameplay== ''Knockout City'' is a team-based competitive multiplayer video game whose gameplay rules resemble [[dodgeball]]. The player's goal is to attack enemies from the opposing team by knocking them out with a ball. There are several types of balls in the game, including the Moon Ball, which allows the player holding the ball to jump higher, and the Bomb Ball, which is a time bomb that explodes on impact. A player can also throw another player as a ball.<ref name="RPS preview">{{cite news|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/knockout-city-preview|title=Knockout City is a dodgeball arena battler where you can really be the ball|first=Ed|last=Thorn|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|date=February 18, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> When ready to throw a ball, the player targets and locks on to an enemy; holding down the throw button charges up the ball for a faster shot that can be more difficult to catch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2021/2/17/22287915/knockout-city-new-game-dodgeball-electronic-arts-release-dates-platforms-beta|title=Mario Kart Live maker gets into 'dodgebrawl' with Knockout City|first=Owen|last=S. Good|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=February 17, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> A successful throw depends not on the accuracy or the precision of the throw, but on the player's positioning and strategy. Players can dodge or catch a ball that is thrown at them, and they will [[respawn]] after getting hit by a ball twice. The player can also fake throw a ball, and tackle an opponent holding a ball.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/knockout-city-mario-kart-devs-new-dodgeball-game-is-kid-like-fun|title=Knockout City: Mario Kart Dev's New Dodgeball Game Is Kid-Like Fun|first=Travis|last=Northup|work=[[IGN]]|date=February 23, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> As the player progresses in the game, they will receive Holobux, which can be spent at the Brawl Shop to unlock various customization items.<ref name="GI Preview">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/02/17/knockout-city-breakdown-and-hands-on-impressions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217232349/https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/02/17/knockout-city-breakdown-and-hands-on-impressions|url-status=live|archive-date=February 17, 2021|title=Knockout City Breakdown And Hands-On Impressions|first=Marcus|last=Stewart|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=February 17, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>
At launch, the game features five maps and six modes. All of the maps are set in a futuristic metropolis named Knockout City, and each map also features various environmental hazards which can knock a player out.<ref name="venturebeat int">{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/02/17/velan-studios-will-launch-knockout-city-dodgeball-game-on-may-21/|title=Velan Studios will launch Knockout City dodgeball game on May 21|first=Dean|last=Takahshi|work=[[VentureBeat]]|date=February 17, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> The modes announced include Team KO, which is a variant of [[team deathmatch]], Diamond Dash, in which players must collect diamonds dropped by defeated enemies, and Ball-Up Brawl, a four-versus-four mode in which the player must throw their teammates to eliminate enemies.<ref name="GI Preview"/> The player can also form a Crew of maximum 32 players.
==Development and release== ''Knockout City'' was developed by [[Velan Studios]], which had previously released ''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]'' in 2020. The team, which has about 85 employees, spent four years developing the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/02/25/welcome-to-knockout-city-the-dodgebrawl-capital-of-the-world/|title=Welcome to Knockout City, the dodgebrawl capital of the world|first=Josh|last=Harrison|work=[[PlayStation Blog]]|date=February 25, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> Velan Studios described the game as a "dodgebrawl" title, and its CEO, Karthik Bala, added that the team chose dodgeball to be the game's core gameplay loop because it was considered to be an "intuitive" sport.<ref name="RPS preview"/> The game was designed to be accessible for both newcomers, while complex enough for competitive players.<ref name="venturebeat int"/> Velan Studios built an engine named Viper to power the game and created a programming script named V-script, which aimed at countering [[network latency]].<ref name="joystiq interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/knockout-city-indie-ea-velan-dodgeball-online-game-230011811.html|title='Knockout City' is a cross-platform dodgeball brawler from Velan and EA|first=Jessica|last=Conditt|work=[[Engadget]]|date=February 17, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>
Publisher [[Electronic Arts]] announced in March 2019 that it had signed a publishing deal with Velan Studios.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ea-inks-publishing-deal-new-game-studio-vicarious-visions-founders-1196825 |title=EA Partners will publish the first game from Karthik and Guha Bala's newly formed Velan Studios |first=Patrick |last=Shanley |date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=March 25, 2019 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404032346/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ea-inks-publishing-deal-new-game-studio-vicarious-visions-founders-1196825 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was published under the publisher's EA Originals initiative, which aims at supporting independent games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/knockout-city-is-eas-dodgeball-by-way-of-splatoon/1100-6487693/|title=Knockout City Is EA's Dodgeball By Way Of Splatoon|first=Alessandro|last=Fillani|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=February 18, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> The game was officially announced via a [[Nintendo Direct]] on February 17, 2021.<ref name="venturebeat int"/> A beta for the game was held from April 2, 2021, to April 4, 2021, for PC and consoles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/122984/knockout-city-gets-cross-play-beta-this-april|title=Knockout City gets cross-play beta this April|first=Chris|last=Jarrard|work=[[Shacknews]]|date=February 25, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> ''Knockout City'' was released for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]] (with enhanced backwards compatibility for [[PlayStation 5]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S]]) on May 21, 2021, with [[cross platform play]] and shared progression between platforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/17/22285802/knockout-city-dodgeball-game-velan-studios-ea|title=Knockout City is a new dodgeball game from the makers of Mario Kart Live|first=Jay|last=Peters|work=[[The Verge]]|date=February 17, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> Velan envisioned the game as a [[live service]], and will be introducing new content regularly via seasons.
In April 2021, it was announced that the game would be available to play at no cost to [[EA Play]] and [[Xbox Game Pass]] Ultimate subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twinfinite.net/2021/04/knockout-city-will-release-on-ea-play-game-pass-ultimate-at-launch/|title = Knockout City Will Release on EA Play & Game Pass Ultimate at Launch|date = 26 April 2021}}</ref> It was later announced that the game would be [[free-to-play]] for the first ten days of release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/eas-knockout-city-is-free-for-the-first-10-days/1100-6491504/|title = EA's Knockout City is Free for the First 10 Days}}</ref> The game attracted 2 million players within its first week of release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/knockout-city-already-has-over-2-million-players/|title=Knockout City already has over 2 million players|first=Natelie|last=Clayton|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=May 25, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref> After the launch trial, EA announced that the game would be free-to-play until the player had reached level 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2021/05/31/knockout-city-free-to-play-level-25/|title=Knockout City is now free to play until level 25|first=Sherif|last=Saed|work=[[VG 247]]|date=May 31, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref> Following the launch of Season 6, the game transitioned into a fully [[free-to-play]] title on June 1, 2022. Velan Studios also replaced EA to self-publish the game. Players who have already purchased the game were compensated with in-game extras including customization items, XP boosts and additional Holobux.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/02/25/knockout-city-is-going-free-to-play-velan-studios-saying-goodbye-to-ea-to-self-publish|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225201858/https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/02/25/knockout-city-is-going-free-to-play-velan-studios-saying-goodbye-to-ea-to-self-publish|url-status=live|archive-date=February 25, 2022|title=Knockout City Is Going Free-To-Play, Velan Studios Saying Goodbye To EA To Self-Publish Future Content|first=Wesley|last=Blanc|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=February 25, 2022|access-date=February 26, 2022}}</ref> On September 19, 2022, Velan Studios announced that the game will move from EA's [[Origin (service)|Origin]] online services to the [[Epic Games|Epic Online Services]] with the Version 7.1 patch. A one-time account migration system from EA to Epic was available until the release of the Version 8.1 patch on January 10, 2023.
In February 2023, it was announced that after the completion of the game’s ninth season, the game would shut down on June 6, 2023, though a Windows version compatible with private hosted servers would be available after the shutdown.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Private Server Edition |url=https://www.knockoutcity.com/private-server-edition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524192741/https://www.knockoutcity.com/private-server-edition |archive-date=2023-05-24 |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Knockout City}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = NS: 83/100<ref name="MCNS">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/knockout-city/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Knockout City for Switch Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 19, 2021}}</ref><br />PC: 80/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/knockout-city/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Knockout City for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 19, 2021}}</ref><br />PS4: 80/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/knockout-city/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Knockout City for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=May 30, 2021}}</ref><br />XONE: 83/100<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/knockout-city/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Knockout City for Xbox One Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=May 30, 2021}}</ref><br />XSX: 82/100<ref name="MCXSXS">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/knockout-city/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=Knockout City for Xbox Series X Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 19, 2021}}</ref> | Destruct = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Andriessen|first= CJ |date=27 May 2021 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-knockout-city-630104.phtml|title=Review: Knockout City |website=[[Destructoid]]|access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> | GI = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Shea |first=Brian |date=21 May 2021 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/knockout-city/knockout-city-review-dodgeball-delight|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522010945/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/knockout-city/knockout-city-review-dodgeball-delight|url-status=live|archive-date=May 22, 2021|title=Knockout City Review – Dodgeball Delight |magazine=[[Game Informer]]|access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> | GSpot = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last= Barbosa |first=Alessandro |date=28 May 2021 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/knockout-city-review-dodge-duck-dip-dive-and-dodge/1900-6417682/|title=Knockout City Review - Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive, And Dodge|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> | GRadar = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last= Sheridan|first=Connor|date=21 May 2021 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/knockout-city-review-you-should-start-downloading-right-now/|title=KNOCKOUT CITY REVIEW: "YOU SHOULD START DOWNLOADING RIGHT NOW" |website=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> | IGN = 9/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Green|first=Jarrett|date=2 June 2021|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/knockout-city-review|title=Knockout City Review|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=21 October 2021}}</ref> | JXV = 15/20<ref>{{cite web |last= L'avis de Aubin_Gregoire |date=22 May 2021 |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1411718/knockout-city-c-est-vraiment-de-la-balle.htm|title=Test Knockout City : C'est vraiment de la balle ? |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> | NLife = {{Rating|9|10}}<ref>{{cite web |last= O'Reilly |first= PJ |date=24 May 2021 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/knockout_city|title=Knockout City Review (Switch eShop) |website=[[Nintendo Life]]|access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> }}
''Knockout City'' received generally positive reviews upon release according to [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCNS" /><ref name="MCPC" /><ref name="MCPS4" /><ref name="MCXONE" /><ref name="MCXSXS" /> Some reviewers compared ''Knockout City'' with ''[[Rocket Arena (video game)|Rocket Arena]]'', a 2020 game also published by Electronic Arts.<ref>[https://screenrant.com/knockout-city-better-rocket-arena-gameplay-hook-style/ How Knockout City Could Succeed Where Rocket Arena Failed] - Alex Santa Maria, Screen Rant, 17 February 2021</ref><ref>[https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/knockout-city-preview Knockout City is a dodgeball arena battler where you can really be the ball] - Ed Thorn, Rock Paper Shotgun, 18 February 2021</ref>
===Awards and accolades=== ''Knockout City'' was nominated for "Best Multiplayer Game" at [[The Game Awards 2021]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2021-nominations-announced |title=The Game Awards Nominations Announced |first=Adele |last=Ankers |website=[[IGN]] |date=16 November 2021 |access-date=13 December 2021}}</ref> and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Online Game of the Year|Online Game of the Year]]" at the [[25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bankhurst |first1=Adam |title=DICE Awards 2022 Winners: The Full List |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/dice-awards-2022-how-to-watch-all-the-nominees-and-what-to-expect-winners |website=IGN |date=25 February 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref>
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://www.ea.com/games/knockout-city}}
[[Category:2021 video games]] [[Category:Action games]] [[Category:Electronic Arts games]] [[Category:Fantasy sports video games]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:Video games with cross-platform play]] [[Category:Dodgeball video games]] [[Category:Inactive multiplayer online games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:Video games set in the future]] [[Category:Esports games]] [[Category:Free-to-play video games]] [[Category:Online games shut down in 2023]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Velan Studios games]]