FAU-G Domination, the upcoming competitive mobile FPS from Dot9 Games and published by Nazara Technologies is all set to release sometime this year. This new instalment, distinct from the original FAU-G released in 2021, promises to deliver a fresh and engaging experience for gamers. We sat down with the team at Dot9 Games — Deepak Ail, CEO & Co-Founder; Srinivasan Veeraraghavan, Studio Head & Co-founder; Prasad Ramdas, Tech Head & Co-founder; Kaiwan Yezdani, Creative Director & Co-founder; and Yogesh Patel, Studio Manager—to delve into the development journey, unique features, and future plans for FAU-G Domination.
Srinivasan Veeraraghavan, Co-Founder & Coding Overlord at Dot9 Games, discussed the nature of FAU-G Domination, and its significant departure from its predecessor. “We’ve taken the FAU-G universe and rebuilt the game from scratch,” Veeraraghavan revealed. This decision stems from a desire to offer a more refined and technologically advanced experience. The new version features a completely overhauled game engine and design to ensure optimal performance across a diverse range of devices, from high-end smartphones to more basic models.
The focus on accessibility is a core component of the game’s development. “We wanted to create something that runs smoothly on both high-end and low-end devices,” Veeraraghavan added. This broad compatibility aims to engage a wide audience, particularly in India, where mobile gaming is rapidly expanding.
One of the standout features of FAU-G Domination will be its customisation options. The game introduces a custom game mode, allowing players to modify gameplay parameters such as movement speed, weapon choices, and more. This feature is designed to provide a sandbox environment where players can experiment and share their own game modes with the community. Veeraraghavan pointed out, “Inspired by games like Counter-Strike, we wanted to offer players the ability to create and share their own game modes.” This approach not only enhances player creativity but also adds a unique dimension to mobile shooters, which often lack such extensive customisation.
Kaiwan Yezdani, Co-Founder and Director at Dot9 Games, elaborated on the development of these custom modes. “We’re trying to expand it a bit more and see what all we can customise,” Yezdani explained. The team is actively experimenting with different configurations to determine what works best. The goal is to empower players to craft their own experiences while keeping the game fresh and engaging.
Developing a game that performs well across various device specifications presents several challenges. Veeraraghavan discussed the technical hurdles of balancing performance with visual quality. “Shooter games are very taxing on devices, and balancing performance with quality is critical,” he noted. The team has invested considerable effort into optimising the game’s engine and graphics pipeline. They are utilising Unity with a custom layer to enhance performance while managing battery consumption and thermal throttling.
Advanced rendering techniques, including physics-based rendering and customisable shaders, are employed to deliver high-quality visuals without sacrificing performance. This includes accommodating various screen resolutions and optimising settings based on the device’s capabilities. “Our goal is to ensure that players on different hardware configurations have a smooth and visually appealing experience,” Veeraraghavan said.
Kaiwan Yezdani also highlighted the team’s focus on network and lag issues. “We are experimenting with networking tools to optimise performance,” Yezdani mentioned. Rather than relying on off-the-shelf solutions, the team is developing their own methods to address lag and connectivity challenges, aiming for a seamless multiplayer experience.
Deepak Ail, Co-Founder & CEO of Dot9 Games, provided insight into the strategic partnership with Nazara Technologies. Ail emphasised the validation and market opportunities that Nazara’s involvement brings. “Nazara is now a listed company. There’s a lot of seriousness in what they do,” he noted. This partnership not only enhances the game’s credibility but also opens doors to extensive marketing and scaling opportunities.
Ail’s vision extends beyond the Indian market. “The whole idea was that FAU-G could grow to the global market,” he said. With Nazara’s backing, Dot9 Games aims to position FAU-G Domination as a competitive title on the international stage. The collaboration is also seen as a step towards legitimising the gaming industry in India. “If the product is good, I think there will be publishers who will be ready to back it up,” Ail added.
The potential for esports is a serious consideration for FAU-G Domination. Ail expressed confidence in the game’s suitability for competitive play. “Of course, I think the game is made for that,” he said. Drawing a parallel with cricket’s popularity, Ail suggested that FAU-G Domination could follow a similar path, leading to esports tournaments and a broader competitive scene.
The partnership with Nazara also plays a crucial role in this vision. “It sort of gives the seriousness,” Ail explained, noting that the involvement of a major player like Nazara elevates the game’s profile and potential in the competitive gaming landscape.
Yogesh Patel, Studio Manager at Dot9 Games, offered detailed insights into the game’s design and development process. Patel discussed the transition from a third-person perspective in the original FAU-G to a 5v5 competitive format in Domination. “With the popularity of games like PUBG, there was a shift in player preferences towards competitive shooters,” Patel said. The decision to adopt a 5v5 format was driven by the need to compete with established titles and meet current player expectations.
Patel also addressed feedback on game maps and modes. “We’ve received feedback that our maps are too large for modes like 1v1 or 2v2,” he noted. The team is considering adjustments to map sizes to enhance gameplay for smaller modes. Patel emphasised that core gameplay remains the priority, with additional features and map rotations to be introduced later.
Monetization strategies for FAU-G Domination are being carefully crafted to balance accessibility with revenue generation. Kaiwan Yezdani discussed plans for customisable skins and a tiered battle pass system. “We’re planning to have two types of battle passes—one low-cost and one premium,” Yezdani explained. This approach aims to offer value to a wide range of players while ensuring effective monetization.
Regular content updates are also a key part of the strategy. Yezdani revealed that Dot9 Games plans to release major updates every three months, with smaller updates in between. “We’re looking at at least one big update every three months,” he said. Future expansions will include more futuristic elements and hero-based mechanics, gradually introduced to keep the game fresh and engaging.
Ensuring a fair competitive environment is also a top priority for Dot9 Games. Srinivasan Veeraraghavan discussed the measures being implemented to combat cheating. The game will feature server-side data collection and reporting systems to detect and manage cheats. “We’re aware that cheating will be a challenge, and we’re building basic mechanisms to report and manage it,” Veeraraghavan said. Players will have the tools to report cheating if they come across it in the game.
As FAU-G Domination continues to take shape, the development team remains focused on delivering a high-quality, engaging experience. With innovative features, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to player satisfaction, the game is hoping to make a significant impact in the competitive mobile FPS genre. With these insights from the Dot9 Games team, we have a much better idea of what we can expect from FAU-G when it does launch later this year. Pre-registrations for the game are expected to open soon, so keep an eye out for that and we’ll keep you posted on any new changes with FAU-G Domination.
