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Splitgate

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Genre: Online Multiplayer
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Developer: 1047 Games
Release Date: August 2021

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'Splitgate' Delayed Until Further Notice, Extends Open Beta Again, Increases Server Capacity, Adds New Mode, Teases Updates

by Rainier on Aug. 18, 2021 @ 10:00 a.m. PDT

Splitgate is a multiplayer first-person shooter that uses player-controlled portals to create a new dimension of arena combat.

Splitgate evokes your favorite memories of the most-revered shooters of the past two decades, embracing the classic and familiar feel of arena multiplayer with a multi-directional twist. Splitgate: Arena Warfare’s world-bending portal mechanic lets players instantly create and link gateways around the map, encouraging and rewarding constant jetpack-boosted movement, strategic flanking and ambushes, and action that truly embraces all 360 degrees. It also looks really cool.

Splitgateis designed to be equally accessible to first-time and veteran FPS players, with an infinitely high skill cap that will take players hundreds of hours to refine and master. Splitgate is built in Unreal Engine 4 by 1047 Games, a passionate group of Halo fans, whose experience and love for the genre transcends the typical development team.

1047 Games announced Splitgate will remain in open beta for the foreseeable future (meaning full launch is no longer scheduled for August 2021 as previously announced ed.) as the studio continues to scale the popular arena portal shooter that has seen more than 10 million downloads in its first 30 days of open beta. 

The studio has worked diligently to increase player capacity since the game’s explosion in popularity, going from an initial 4,000 concurrent players on the existing framework to more than 175,000 in a few weeks, and has dramatically reduced player queue times to usually under 10 minutes. Updates to the game’s backend framework are being rolled out daily as well as regular minor upgrades and bug fixes.

1047 Games has several content updates for fans planned through the rest of this year, including an update scheduled for later today featuring the highly requested Ranked Duos mode and increased server capacity.

The company also has plans for a significant announcement for players at this month’s gamescom 2021.

“This has been the most surreal time of my life,” said Ian Proulx, CEO and co-founder of 1047 Games. “The fan support has been incredible as we work to improve the player experience. We never dreamed of having to scale this big this quickly, and as a result we have had to overcome challenges to keep up with player demand. We met several major milestones in a short time, creating a stable platform where fans can expect to find a server to play on relatively quickly, and I’m proud of what our team has accomplished - but there’s a lot more to come!”

Proulx continued, “In looking at the issues facing the scalability of the game’s backend, the process includes far more than simply dealing with server capacity. We are focused on keeping the game stable for fans, and iterating on the game’s concurrent capacity in order to minimize player wait times. We want to do this the right way, and we want to be prepared for massive scale when we officially launch, all the while continuing to improve the beta with frequent updates, additional features, and improvements to server capacity.”

Constant movement is encouraged and rewarded as players strategically place portals to FLY, FLANK and FRAG through the air to create incredible, previously-impossible highlights.

Instead of a complicated and convoluted matchmaking system, Splitgate uses a simple, intuitive 1-50 ranking system determined purely on player wins and losses, cutting down on in-game griefing while providing little incentive for player boosting.

Players start each match with the same loadout, eliminating any unfair advantages from the start. Power weapons spawn on a timer across the map, and players are encouraged to use these powerful weapons to achieve montage-worthy killstreaks.

Standard FPS controls and intuitive portal mechanics mean beginners are up and running right off the bat. However, players must constantly evolve strategies and their ability to think with portals in order to outsmart one another. The skill cap is unlimited.

Splitgate launches with cross-play for PC (Steam), Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS5 and PS4.


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