Tag: 1047 Games

  • Splitgate 2 Playtest: No More Factions or Abilities in Beta

    Splitgate 2 Playtest: No More Factions or Abilities in Beta

    Key Takeaways

    1. Splitgate 2 is returning to beta with a public playtest on August 29 and 30, focusing on player feedback and adjustments.
    2. The playtest will be available exclusively on Steam, requiring players to opt into the ‘aug-playtest’ in their library.
    3. Significant changes include the removal of factions and abilities to enhance gunplay and map control.
    4. The game addresses previous issues like limited portal opportunities on maps, with adjustments made to several arenas.
    5. Other game modifications include changes to time-to-kill, weapon recoil, and portal usage in the Splitball mode.

    After a rocky start in June, 1047 Games opted to return to beta for Splitgate 2 in July. Following several weeks of development, the game is set to return with a public playtest aimed at understanding player reactions and gathering input on the adjustments they’ve implemented. There are significant changes made based on earlier player feedback from the first launch.

    Playtest Schedule

    According to an update from 1047 Games on Steam, the Splitgate 2 playtest will take place on August 29 from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and again on August 30 from 10 am to 1 pm PT. This playtest will exclusively happen on Steam, and players can access the ‘aug-playtest’ by opting into Betas in their Steam library.

    How to Join

    To participate in the playtest, players must follow a few simple steps. In terms of changes, 1047 Games has chosen to eliminate factions and abilities to emphasize more on accurate gunplay, map control, and portal dynamics. Many players expressed frustration at the original launch due to weapons being restricted to specific factions and abilities like Hypersight providing unfair perks. Coupled with technical glitches, microtransactions, user interface problems, and the ‘Make FPS Great Again’ controversy, the player numbers plummeted by 93%.

    Map Adjustments

    Another significant issue being tackled for this playtest is the lack of adequate portal opportunities on certain maps. The arenas including Academy, Core, Eden, Frontier, and Grit will now feature more locations for portals. Additional adjustments include changes to time-to-kill, weapon recoil, and the use of portals in the Splitball game mode.

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  • Splitgate 2 Developers Seek Rare Fan Support: A Second Chance

    Splitgate 2 Developers Seek Rare Fan Support: A Second Chance

    Key Takeaways

    1. Request for Trust: 1047 Games is asking players for another chance as they prepare to relaunch Splitgate 2 in early 2026 after reverting to beta status.

    2. Acknowledgment of Mistakes: Founders Ian Proulx and Nicholas Bagamian admitted to errors in the game’s initial launch and emphasized their commitment to supporting the community.

    3. Changes and Improvements: The studio plans to enhance progression, add portal walls, simplify monetization, and refocus on classic arena modes following player feedback.

    4. Decline in Player Numbers: The game’s player count on Steam drastically fell by 93% shortly after launch, highlighting significant issues in its reception.

    5. Controversial CEO Appearance: CEO Ian Proulx faced backlash for wearing a controversial hat at a gaming event, leading to an apology and further straining player trust amid mixed reviews of the game.

    Splitgate 2’s troubled introduction led 1047 Games to ask its players for another opportunity, after the game was returned to beta status, aiming for a relaunch in early 2026.

    A Heartfelt Request

    On August 21, 2025, the studio reached out through social media, expressing their feelings in a straightforward message:

    “Please give us another chance with our relaunch. We understand we’ve let you down. We hope to win back your trust.”

    The founders, Ian Proulx and Nicholas Bagamian, acknowledged their haste in launching the game, stating, “We’ve certainly made some errors, but supporting our community has always been our main focus.”

    Changes Ahead

    Splitgate 2 reverted back to beta on July 22, 2025, with promises from 1047 Games to improve progression, add more portal walls, simplify how monetization works, and return the focus to classic arena modes. Nonetheless, the company has had to make tough decisions, including laying off 45 employees and closing the original Splitgate servers in August 2025. Proulx defended this by saying it would save “hundreds of thousands of dollars” on upkeep.

    The game faced a rough start on June 6, 2025, as the number of players on Steam plummeted from a high of 25,785 to just 1,839 by late July, marking a staggering 93% decrease, according to SteamDB.

    Controversy Strikes

    A new issue arose when CEO Ian Proulx showed up at the Summer Game Fest wearing a hat that said “Make FPS Great Again.” This move upset some players, and later, Proulx apologized, saying, “We thought of it as a joke,” but recognized that the backlash was much worse than expected.

    The game launched with a ridiculous $145 microtransaction cosmetic bundle and lacked a ranked mode, resulting in mixed feedback on Steam, with only 61.14% of the total 18,978 reviews being positive.

    At this point, 1047 Games is depending on community-led playtests to reshape Splitgate 2, but many fans feel the damage is already done. The relaunch is sure to be a challenging road as the studio tries to regain the trust of its community and the appeal of the original game.

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  • Splitgate 2 Unlaunches as Player Count Plummets 93% Ahead of 2026 Relaunch

    Splitgate 2 Unlaunches as Player Count Plummets 93% Ahead of 2026 Relaunch

    Key Takeaways

    1. 1047 Games “unlaunched” Splitgate 2, reverting it to beta status after a problematic release with low player numbers and mixed community reactions.
    2. The launch faced significant issues, including technical problems, excessive microtransactions, and a lack of the original game’s appeal.
    3. Player numbers drastically declined from 25,785 to 1,839 concurrent players, a 93% drop in just one month.
    4. The game received 18,260 reviews on Steam with a 61% positive rating, compared to the original’s 91% rating, largely due to community frustrations over missing features and pricing.
    5. 1047 Games plans to focus on a major overhaul for a relaunch in 2026, addressing monetization, gameplay mechanics, and community feedback.

    To the astonishment of many, 1047 Games has made the surprising decision to “unlaunch” Splitgate 2, their eagerly awaited FPS sequel, reverting it to “Beta Status” after a problematic release on June 6, 2025.

    In a frank message posted on Splitgate 2’s official X account and Steam page, co-founders Ian Proulx and Nicholas Bagamian explained that the choice was driven by lower-than-expected player numbers and mixed reactions from the community. Additionally, the studio revealed that they had to let go of 45 employees, which is around 28% of their team, and announced that servers would be taken offline in August. These layoffs are due to the studio’s decision to refocus its resources for a complete game overhaul.

    A Troubled Launch

    To give some background, Splitgate 2’s launch faced challenges from the beginning. The game suffered from numerous technical problems, an overemphasis on microtransactions, and a noticeable absence of the “polished, portal-filled mayhem” that made the first game a success in 2019.

    Data from SteamDB highlights a drastic decline in player numbers. Once boasting 25,785 concurrent players last month, the game has now plummeted to a peak of only 1,839 in a 24-hour period. This represents a staggering 93% decrease in player count in just one month.

    Community Backlash

    Currently, the game has amassed 18,260 reviews on Steam, holding a 61% positive rating. In contrast, the original game received 91% positive feedback out of 111,737 reviews. This drop in approval seems to stem from player frustration. Many gamers voiced their displeasure over the absence of a ranked mode and the introduction of an absurd $80 cosmetic bundle, which was later reduced to $40 due to the overwhelming negative response it generated.

    Acknowledging their missteps, 1047 Games took responsibility, admitting they rushed certain features, made “boneheaded mistakes,” and acknowledged that they “bit off more than they could chew.”

    Future Plans for Splitgate 2

    Regarding the “unlaunch” of Splitgate 2, the game will still be playable, but it will revert back to beta status. 1047 Games has stated that they are focusing 95% of their resources on a significant overhaul planned for a relaunch in 2026. Their objectives include streamlining monetization, introducing additional portal structures, devising a better progression system, and integrating community feedback along with necessary bug fixes.

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  • Splitgate 2: Free Steam Open Alpha for Halo-Style Arena Shooter

    Splitgate 2: Free Steam Open Alpha for Halo-Style Arena Shooter

    Key Takeaways

    1. Splitgate 2 will have an open alpha playtest from February 27 to March 2, 2024, following the closure of the original game due to technical issues.
    2. The sequel retains the portal-centric combat and fast-paced gameplay, but introduces new features like multi-team matches (up to 8v8v8) and potential hero shooter elements.
    3. New maps, weapons, and equipment will be added, many based on community feedback.
    4. The game will be free-to-play, accessible to players with a Steam account, PS5, or Xbox Series S|X.
    5. The full release of Splitgate 2 is scheduled for 2025.

    The initial installment of Splitgate gained recognition for its impressive gameplay features, quick movement, and the unique use of portals, which introduced a layer of complexity and strategy to what might have been a typical game. Sadly, the free-to-play online multiplayer arena shooter faced closure when the developers decided to halt future updates due to technical issues that made it hard to keep the game running.

    Exciting News for Splitgate Fans

    Now, after two years of extensive effort, 1047 Games has revealed that the first open alpha playtest for Splitgate 2 is on the way. Similar to the first game, Splitgate 2 offers the same portal-centric combat and intense, fast-paced gameplay. However, this time, it introduces some new features, including multi-team matches that can host up to 8v8v8 battles on a “massive map.” There are also indications of distinct factions, suggesting that Splitgate 2 may incorporate more hero shooter elements.

    New Features and Community Input

    As is standard for sequels, players can expect new maps, weapons, and equipment, with 1047 Games stating that many of the modifications were made based on feedback from the community. The open alpha test is free-to-play, which is expected to be the pricing model for the game moving forward, and it seems accessible to anyone who has a Steam account, PS5, or Xbox Series S|X console (sorry, Switch players).

    Limited-Time Alpha Test

    This first open alpha will be available from February 27 to March 2, but the full game is set to launch in 2025.

    Hey there, Splitfam! We are excited to invite you to an Open Alpha preview of the progress we’ve made on Splitgate 2, which will be open to everyone for four days from Feb. 27 to March 2. Come join us and play!

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