Revolutionizing Esports: Delta Force Pioneers a New Genre

When Delta Force was launched, the aim was not only to create a successful game but to build a lasting global community and push the boundaries of competitive gaming. A year later, the game has laid the groundwork for a thriving esports ecosystem. Across platforms, Delta Force is experiencing rapid growth, with a steadily expanding PC player base on Steam, including a milestone of 250,000 concurrent players, and topping the download charts on PlayStation in several major markets. The game's success on mobile is further highlighted by its feature on the iPhone 17 launch. This cross-platform success has created a global community that fosters long-term engagement and provides the perfect platform for competitive play. For the development team, esports is a crucial pillar of Delta Force's growth strategy, with two unique multiplayer modes catering to both casual and elite players. According to Shadow Guo, Game Director, "Esports is vital to Delta Force's growth, as it keeps players engaged with evolving content, expands the gameplay experience, and fuels an ecosystem where creators and new audiences can connect with the game in new ways." The Delta Force Invitational marked the first major step in this strategy, a global celebration of players and community that drew millions of viewers online and packed the Hangzhou Esports Centre in China. The event's success is attributed to its unique approach to competitive gaming, with Jesseca Zhang, Global Publishing Director, noting, "The Delta Force Invitational was a milestone moment for us, delivering an unforgettable experience for both the arena audience and viewers at home." While extraction shooters pose unique challenges for esports, the development team was ready to take on the challenge of creating the first world championship for the genre. Ricky Liao, Game Design Director, explains, "We knew traditional esports formats wouldn't fit an extraction shooter, so we iterated, tested, and gathered feedback to find the right balance between strategy and fun." The Delta Force Invitational is just the beginning, with plans for DFI Warfare, expanding competitive opportunities into the game's large-scale warfare mode, and more tournaments and expanded formats in the works for 2026 and beyond. As Shadow Guo notes, "The Delta Force Invitational marks the beginning of a journey toward something much larger for our community, and we're excited to make a real impact in the competitive gaming space."