Splitgate 2 Delayed Until Next Year After Failed Relaunch
▼ Summary
– Splitgate 2 is struggling with declining player numbers and negative Steam reviews due to missing features and expensive microtransactions.
– 1047 Games CEO Ian Proulx announced plans to relaunch an improved version in 2026, suspending new content after season 3 and shutting down Splitgate 1 servers.
– Players criticized Splitgate 2 for straying from the original’s arena-shooter roots and lacking basic features like mode selection in matchmaking.
– The studio plans a soft reboot, acknowledging they overextended by combining Arena, Battle Royale, and Map Creator modes into one game.
– Microtransactions faced backlash for high prices, and while no refunds will be issued, cosmetics will remain available until the 2026 relaunch.
Splitgate 2 faces a major delay as developers regroup following a rocky launch and dwindling player engagement. The portal-infused multiplayer shooter, once hailed for its innovative mechanics, has struggled to retain its audience amid complaints about missing features and controversial monetization. 1047 Games CEO Ian Proulx confirmed the sequel won’t see a full relaunch until 2026, with the team halting new content updates to focus on rebuilding core systems.
Player feedback paints a clear picture of the challenges. Steam reviews highlight frustrations over restrictive matchmaking, unbalanced hero mechanics, and microtransactions that feel overly aggressive. Some longtime fans argue the sequel strayed too far from the original’s arena-shooter simplicity, trading tight gameplay for bloated modes like battle royale and map creation tools. “It lost what made Splitgate special,” one Reddit user noted, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
The studio’s response involves tough cuts. Splitgate 1’s servers will shut down, leaving its small but dedicated player base without a home. Layoffs are also underway, though exact numbers remain undisclosed. Proulx admits the team overextended itself, attempting to blend too many genres at once. “We aimed high but missed the mark,” he acknowledged, emphasizing that polished gunplay and movement mechanics remain strengths, just buried under design missteps.
Monetization remains a sore point. Despite adjustments, cosmetic pricing still draws criticism, with no refunds offered for existing purchases. While these items will carry over to the relaunch, early adopters may feel shortchanged by the extended hiatus.
Controversy hasn’t helped. Proulx’s ill-timed “Make FPS Great Again” hat during Summer Game Fest sparked backlash, which he later walked back. Still, he maintains that gameplay quality, not PR stumbles, dictates a title’s success. “If the core experience were flawless, players would overlook the noise,” he argued.
For now, Splitgate 2’s future hinges on a back-to-basics overhaul. Whether 1047 Games can recapture the magic of its breakout hit, or win back disillusioned fans, remains to be seen.
(Source: Kotaku)
