{"id":1153536,"date":"2026-02-08T19:42:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T19:42:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pnrMoHZm4BawCbebVcMEBF"},"modified":"2026-02-08T19:42:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T19:42:17","slug":"the-middle-easts-answer-to-marvel-rivals-is-an-ai-powered-crypto-infused-hero-shooter-that-looks-like-hot-garbage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/the-middle-easts-answer-to-marvel-rivals-is-an-ai-powered-crypto-infused-hero-shooter-that-looks-like-hot-garbage\/","title":{"rendered":"‘The Middle East’s answer to Marvel Rivals’ is an ‘AI-powered’, crypto-infused hero shooter that looks like hot garbage"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If Farcana is “the Middle East’s answer to the acclaimed Marvel Rivals,” as its developer claims, I don’t see Disney quivering in its boots anytime soon. Developed by 160-person Abu Dhabi-based studio Dizzaract\u2014which apparently makes it the largest game studio in the region\u2014Farcana<\/a> is a 5v5 hero shooter packing the noxious double whammy of AI and crypto.<\/p>\n

“Opposite to traditional hero shooters, Farcana’s AI-backed features enhance player experience through adaptive in-game mechanics and an evolving combat environment,” a press release announcing its latest playtest reads.<\/p>\n

Sounds vague and amorphous, but don’t worry, Dizzaract expands on its AI features later on and reveals they’re just as silly as you imagined. The full version of Farcana will feature an “AI companion that consists of an in-game AI assistant that provides real-time strategic insights” on your matches, plus an “AI avatar that can represent players in matches against other AI avatars.”<\/p>\n

OK, let’s step into the shoes of that scenario. I’m a shooter fan who already has to deal with actual human teammates belting their unsolicited feedback into my headset, and then a muddy AI voice chimes in with their two cents. I wonder what strategic insights an AI would have to offer the 18th time I get shot in the head. “Have you tried getting good? Perhaps missing fewer shots?”<\/p>\n

Honestly, I can see the use case of my own personal Jarvis giving battle tips, if <\/em>I could realistically trust the advice of a language model\u2014technology famous for getting basic math wrong, hallucinating entire historical events, and making search engines less useful with each passing day. But yeah, sure, tell me which hero I should pick to counter Budziboi.<\/p>\n

Oh, you don’t know Budziboi? He’s one of 24 “Stars,” Farcana’s name for heroes. It was around this point in my Farcana research that I watched some gameplay and, well, it looks terrible<\/a>. You’ve seen slop before: Low-res textures, ugly animations, uninspiring character designs.<\/p>\n

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