Splitgate 2 Dev Demands Titanfall 3, Slams Call of Duty in Bold Statement
▼ Summary
– Ian Proulx promoted Splitgate 2 at Summer Game Fest, criticizing the stale state of online shooters and wearing a “Make FPS Great Again” hat.
– Splitgate 2 is a free-to-play arena shooter featuring portals and a new battle royale mode blending old-school mechanics with portal-based gameplay.
– Proulx clarified his “Make FPS Great Again” slogan was not political but a critique of repetitive shooter games like Call of Duty.
– Critics mocked Splitgate 2’s battle royale mode and $70 skin bundle, despite the game being free-to-play and not pay-to-win.
– The original Splitgate gained popularity in 2019 but was abandoned by 2022, with Splitgate 2 announced as its successor.
The gaming world witnessed an unexpected moment of candor during Summer Game Fest when Splitgate 2’s developer made bold claims about the state of first-person shooters. Ian Proulx, co-founder of 1047 Games, didn’t hold back during the event, openly criticizing the repetitive nature of modern shooters while championing his studio’s upcoming title. Wearing a hat that read “Make FPS Great Again,” Proulx called for the return of Titanfall 3 and described Splitgate 2’s battle royale mode in no uncertain terms.
Splitgate 2, a free-to-play arena shooter, introduces portal mechanics that let players warp reality to outmaneuver opponents. Proulx didn’t mince words when comparing his game to industry giants, stating, “I grew up playing Halo, and I’m tired of the same Call of Duty every year.” His comments struck a chord with fans frustrated by annualized franchises and microtransaction-heavy models. The new battle royale mode, he explained, blends classic arena shooter gameplay with interdimensional portal hopping—a fresh twist on a crowded genre.
The game launched immediately after its beta phase, with the battle royale mode going live alongside the full release. Proulx’s unapologetic stance mirrored his studio’s underdog mentality, positioning 1047 Games as a disruptor in a market dominated by corporate giants. While his “Make FPS Great Again” slogan drew inevitable political comparisons, Proulx later clarified on social media that his message was purely about revitalizing multiplayer shooters. “This isn’t political,” he wrote. “The state of FPS games is tragically stale, and we’re here to change that.”
Reactions were mixed. Some praised Proulx’s bluntness, while others questioned the irony of criticizing Call of Duty’s monetization when Splitgate 2 itself offers a $70 cosmetic bundle. The studio defended the pricing, emphasizing that all gameplay content remains free and no purchases affect competitive balance.
Splitgate’s original 2019 release saw a surge in popularity before fading, leading 1047 Games to pivot toward a sequel. Now, with Splitgate 2, the team aims to recapture that momentum while addressing player frustrations with the genre. Whether it succeeds remains to be seen, but Proulx’s outspoken approach has certainly sparked conversation.
The timing of his comments coincided with real-world tensions near the Summer Game Fest venue, where protests over immigration policies unfolded just blocks away. Though unrelated, the juxtaposition underscored how gaming culture often intersects with broader societal debates—whether intentionally or not.
As players dive into Splitgate 2, the bigger question lingers: Can a smaller studio truly reinvigorate a genre dominated by billion-dollar franchises? For now, Proulx and his team are betting on innovation over iteration.
(Source: Kotaku)
