Splitgate: Arena Reloaded Will Relaunch The Halo-Meets-Portal Shooter After A Rough Year

Key Takeaways:

• Splitgate 2 relaunches on December 17 as Splitgate: Arena Reloaded
• Removal of Factions and Abilities in favor of classic arena combat
• Overhauled progression, ranked systems, and lower store prices
• Five new maps, six reworked maps, and additional weapons announced
• Free-to-play across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms

A Turbulent Road to Relaunch

Splitgate 2 first arrived in open beta this May, followed by a full release in June. However, microtransaction issues, developer layoffs, and a controversial “Make FPS Great Again” hat incident at Summer Game Fest cast a shadow over its launch. By July, 1047 Games reverted the title to beta status and began rethinking its roadmap.

Building on Classic Arena Roots

In a video announcement, design director Josh Watson explained the studio’s commitment to “rebuilding the game from the ground up,” blending what worked best from both Splitgate titles. Drawing inspiration from Unreal Tournament, Quake, and Halo, the newly titled Splitgate: Arena Reloaded abandons the Factions and Abilities that were introduced in Splitgate 2. This streamlined approach aims to restore the rapid combat flow that initially drew gamers to the Halo-meets-Portal shooter.

New Maps and Weapons

Additionally, Splitgate: Arena Unloaded brings new and reworked battlegrounds for players to enjoy: five brand-new maps and six that have been extensively overhauled. Three new primary weapons also join the arsenal, along with a Railgun power weapon. Watson noted these changes directly respond to community feedback gathered during public testing.

Overhauled Systems and Microtransactions

Arena Reloaded addresses some of the main complaints from the original Splitgate 2 release. Progression and ranked systems are being overhauled to reward players more effectively, while in-game store prices will be reduced. After facing significant backlash over microtransactions, 1047 Games vows that the monetization model this time around will be more player-friendly.

Looking Ahead to December 17

The final day of the Splitgate 2 beta is December 4, when 1047 Games will take the game offline in preparation for the December 17 relaunch. Like its predecessor, Splitgate: Arena Reloaded will be free-to-play on PC and console platforms, including PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. By refocusing on the agile arena shooter experience and acknowledging past missteps, 1047 Games hopes to reignite excitement around Splitgate and secure its place among modern multiplayer hits.