In a shocking turn of events, 1047 Games announced on July 22, 2025, that Splitgate 2 is officially returning to beta phase just six weeks after its full release. The decision comes following widespread player criticism and what the developers themselves called “biting off more than we could chew.”
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Splitgate 2 Admission: Developer Mea Culpa
Co-founders Ian and Nicholas publicly acknowledged that Splitgate 2 was released too early, admitting to rushing certain features and failing to deliver the “polished, portal-filled mayhem” that players expected. This rare level of transparency from a game studio highlights the severity of the situation.
The team’s honest assessment struck a chord with the gaming community, who had been voicing concerns about the game’s state since launch. “We rushed certain features, made some boneheaded mistakes, and most importantly – we didn’t give you the polished, portal-filled mayhem you fell in love with,” the developers stated.
Launch Problems That Led to Beta Return
Player Engagement Issues
| Metric | Launch Performance | Community Response |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Players | ~20,000 at launch | Below expectations |
| Streaming Interest | Low organic viewership | Required sponsored content |
| Community Feedback | Mixed to negative | Calls for major changes |
| Marketing Reception | Backlash over choices | Trust issues with studio |
Despite launching with around 20,000 players, engagement on platforms like YouTube and Twitch remained low unless creators were sponsored, indicating a lack of organic community interest compared to other titles with smaller but more active player bases.
Core Issues Identified
The community backlash wasn’t just about gameplay mechanics. Several controversies emerged during and after the game’s reveal at Summer Game Fest, including marketing missteps, unclear communication around pricing, and frustration over a lack of genuine apologies.
The Beta Rebuild Strategy
1047 Games plans to remain “heads down” until early 2026, rebuilding major parts of the game to capture the spirit of what made Splitgate special. The comprehensive overhaul includes:
- Complete progression system rework
- Enhanced portal mechanics with more portals added to maps
- Simplified monetization model addressing pricing concerns
- Return to classic game modes that fans loved
- Community-driven development with increased playtests and surveys
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Industry Impact: Staff Reductions and Resource Reallocation
The studio confirmed that some internal roles will be reduced to free up time and resources for the rework, with affected team members receiving severance and job placement support. This difficult decision reflects the financial reality of sustaining a struggling live-service game.
Additionally, the original Splitgate servers will shut down in a month due to maintenance costs of “hundreds of thousands of dollars” over recent years, forcing the studio to prioritize remaining resources on the sequel’s revival.
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What This Means for Players
Despite returning to beta status, Splitgate 2 remains playable during the rebuilding process. Players can still access the current version and Chapter 3 content, alongside various fixes that will continue to roll out.
The developers emphasized their commitment to community involvement, promising more direct player feedback integration throughout the development process—a return to their original approach that made the first Splitgate successful.
Lessons for the Gaming Industry
This unprecedented “unlaunching” of a major title serves as a cautionary tale about rushing games to market. The team acknowledged that Splitgate has been a 10-year project, starting from their dorm room and growing into a full studio, highlighting how passion projects can face scaling challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Splitgate 2 players lose their progress when it returns to beta?
A: Currently, 1047 Games hasn’t announced any progress resets. The game remains playable during the beta phase, and players can continue accessing their existing content and Chapter 3 materials. However, the progression system overhaul may affect how advancement works in the future.
Q: When will Splitgate 2 officially relaunch after the beta period?
A: The developers plan to remain in development mode until early 2026, focusing on rebuilding major game systems. No specific relaunch date has been confirmed, as the timeline depends on community feedback and the success of the planned overhauls during the extended beta phase.
