AdHoc Studio has officially kicked off their campaign for the 2025 Steam Awards, specifically asking the community to nominate Dispatch for the "Outstanding Story-Rich Game" category. After seven years of development, the team is highlighting the narrative complexity of managing a dysfunctional team of superheroes as the game's defining feature.
The Human Side of Superheroes
It is rare for a strategy game to lean so heavily into its narrative, but that is exactly where Dispatch finds its footing. The developers stated their primary goal was to craft a "human story" where choices reveal character under pressure. In the context of the game's lore, this pressure is literal and metaphorical. You aren't just moving units on a grid; you are playing as Robert Robertson, a pilot forced out of his Meca Man suit and into a managerial role, trying to herd a group of former supervillains—the Z-Team—toward redemption.
The nomination bid for "Outstanding Story-Rich Game" acknowledges that the real battles in Dispatch often happen during the visual novel segments. Navigating the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN) politics and managing the volatile personalities of your squad carries as much weight as the combat itself. If you have played through the campaign, you know that the choices made regarding the Z-Team's deployment directly impact the narrative outcome, blurring the line between hero and villain.
What other categories fit Dispatch?
While the studio is pushing hardest for the narrative nod, they have explicitly stated that nominations in other categories are welcome. Given the game's distinct aesthetic and audio design, categories like Best Soundtrack or Outstanding Visual Style are viable alternatives for players who felt those elements stood out more than the script. Of course, for the die-hard fans who have stuck with this "weird little superhero game" through its development cycle, a Game of the Year nomination is the ultimate show of support.
The Steam Awards are community-driven, meaning the visibility of indie titles like Dispatch relies entirely on player mobilization. If Robert's struggle to uphold his father's legacy while managing a chaotic office of misfits resonated with you, head over to the Steam store page to cast your nomination.