Splitgate 2 Beta Return Leads to Layoffs and Server Shutdowns
â–Ľ Summary
– 1047 Games is putting Splitgate 2 back into beta and shutting down the original Splitgate, while also laying off staff.
– The studio admitted to rushing Splitgate 2’s initial beta, leading to unpolished features and mistakes that disappointed players.
– Splitgate 2 will undergo significant rework, including progression changes, more portals, and simplified monetization, until early next year.
– The studio laid off 45 employees, calling it heartbreaking, following previous layoffs after Splitgate 2’s initial launch.
– Splitgate 2 faced backlash over a high-priced cosmetic bundle, prompting the studio to reduce prices and pledge better community engagement.
The ambitious sequel to the popular portal-based shooter has hit major roadblocks, forcing developers to rethink their strategy while facing painful staffing cuts.
Less than two months after its official launch, Splitgate 2 is being rolled back into beta as 1047 Games acknowledges critical missteps in its development. The studio admitted rushing features, making avoidable errors, and failing to deliver the polished experience fans expected. In a candid message to players, the team promised extensive reworks, including revamped progression systems, additional portal mechanics, and adjustments to monetization, changes expected to take months to implement.
While the game remains playable during this overhaul, the decision comes at a steep cost. The studio confirmed layoffs affecting 45 employees, adding to previous job cuts following the sequel’s troubled debut. “These are our teammates and our friends,” the statement read, emphasizing the emotional toll of the downsizing. Despite the setbacks, 1047 Games remains committed to salvaging the project, vowing to refine the game based on community feedback.
Player numbers tell a sobering story. Steam charts show a 24-hour peak of just 1,706 users, a far cry from its all-time high of nearly 26,000 concurrent players. The decline follows backlash over a controversial $80 cosmetic bundle, which the studio hastily discounted after fan outrage. While price reductions and promises to prioritize player input followed, trust appears shaken.
For now, the team insists this isn’t the end. “Splitgate has been our life for a decade,” the developers stated, signaling their determination to push forward. Whether players will stick around for the long haul remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the road to redemption won’t be easy.
(Source: EuroGamer)
