1047 Games has announced that Splitgate 2 will return to beta status for a comprehensive overhaul, dealing another blow to the troubled portal shooter franchise. This major reset comes alongside a new round of layoffs at the studio and the permanent shutdown of servers for the original Splitgate.
The developer hasn’t specified the exact scope of changes planned for Splitgate 2 or provided a timeline for the rework. The game launched earlier this year to significant criticism over its gameplay changes, monetization strategy, and overall presentation.
Splitgate 2 attempted to pivot from the original’s arena shooter roots to incorporate more trend-chasing elements, including a battle royale mode. This shift away from what made the first game unique was poorly received by players, resulting in rapidly declining player counts after launch.
The studio faced even more criticism over its marketing approach. The CEO’s presentation at Summer Game Fest was widely slammed for being antagonistic toward the games industry, with controversial phrases like “Make FPS Great Again” and props that many viewed as unprofessional.
Monetization became another hot topic. Players criticized the game’s storefront for predatory pricing, confusing currency conversion, and paywalling content like custom portal colors. When called out on this, leadership pointed fingers at former employees, particularly citing an ex-Call of Duty team member involved in pricing decisions.
The original Splitgate, launched in 2019, combined elements from Halo and Portal to create a unique free-to-play shooter that gained significant popularity during 2021. Despite building a dedicated player base, the game’s momentum eventually slowed, prompting the studio to shift focus toward developing the sequel.
