Splitgate 2 goes back to beta after meh debut and dev layoffs

Splitgate 2, he portal shooter that once rivaled Halo just hit the reset button.

In June 2025, Splitgate 2 made its grand debut as the highly anticipated sequel to the unexpected smash-hit from 2019. The initial game gained massive popularity due to its unique blend of “Halo” style gameplay and portal mechanics, along with a clever viral spread. Remarkably, this small team’s creation reached an astounding two million daily players at its peak.

Undeniably, anticipation for the follow-up was exceptionally high. With a larger budget, a greater team, and grander aspirations this time around, 1047 Games was poised to deliver. However, Splitgate 2 seemed to trip at the starting line.

As an ardent fan, I must admit that the debut of Summer Game Fest was quite the whirlwind. A significant portion of the chaos can be attributed to a political move by Ian Proulx, the studio head, which unexpectedly ignited social media. To make matters more complex, the release of the sequel coincided with the original game’s servers still being active, causing an unfortunate divide among the gaming community.

Splitgate 2 has officially “unlaunched”

In a sincere and somewhat sad note to the players, founders Ian and Nicholas confessed that they had started their project prematurely. Essentially, they took on more than they were capable of handling. As they put it, “We took on too much.” To rectify this situation, according to them, the appropriate action is to reconstruct the game as quickly as possible.

In a recent development, Splitgate 2 is back in its testing phase (beta). The developers have ambitious plans to revamp various aspects of the game, including monetization strategies, map designs, and progression systems. This overhaul includes adding more portals, reintroducing classic modes, reducing unnecessary features, and minimizing what they refer to as “stupid mistakes.

However, these changes didn’t come without a price. 1047 Games had to let go of some team members in order to finance the rework. Additionally, they will be closing down the original Splitgate’s servers next month as a means to reduce costs.

“Rebuilding the core experience isn’t a quick fix,” the post reads. “It’s a long-term commitment.”

Final Fantasy XIV and Cyberpunk 2077 have transformed negative events into lasting impacts through openness and revamps. Meanwhile, Splitgate 2 might follow in the footsteps of Multiversus if it fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion, as a game that starts off strong but quickly loses momentum.

Despite facing challenges, the developers continue to press on. They’re keeping their platforms active with regular updates and inviting players to contribute ideas for future developments.

The portals are still open. The question is whether anyone will keep jumping through them.

2025-07-22 23:18

Splitgate 2 has officially “unlaunched”

Read More