1047 Games, the developer behind the free-to-play arena shooter Splitgate 2, has announced layoffs affecting a portion of its staff. The studio confirmed the news, stating that a “small group of valued team members” have departed as the company redirects resources.
This move comes as the studio focuses on perfecting the Splitgate 2 gameplay experience and responding to community feedback following the game’s recent launch.
The Road to Splitgate 2: Ambition Meets Reality
The decision to focus entirely on Splitgate 2 was a significant pivot for 1047 Games. Their original game, Splitgate, achieved unexpected viral success, racking up over 13 million downloads and reaching a peak of nearly 68,000 concurrent players on Steam. Despite securing substantial funding and a high valuation, the small team (originally under 20 people) struggled to manage the rapid growth and meet player demand for new content. According to CEO Ian Proulx, the studio felt like they were “fighting to keep the lights on” and “bailing water” to keep up with Splitgate‘s popularity. A key lesson learned was the critical need for a robust content pipeline; players often churned after 3-4 weeks due to slow updates, which could take up to seven months per season with the original team structure.
Splitgate 2 was envisioned as the solution – a ground-up re-development on a scalable technical foundation with a much larger team (growing to around 175 people) and a strategic focus on delivering “world class” live operations. The ambition was to create a game players would stick with for a decade, supported by frequent content updates planned well in advance, from small featured modes to large seasonal drops. Technical scalability was paramount, moving away from the original game’s less robust “school project” code base.
A Mixed Start for the Sequel
While the development of Splitgate 2 carried significant ambition, its initial journey has seen mixed results. The game’s Open Alpha test, held from February 27 to March 2, 2025, was well-received. Players got a taste of the fast-paced, portal-infused PvP action across PC and next-gen consoles (PS5, Xbox Series S|X). The alpha introduced exciting new modes like the 24-player Multi-Team Hotzone, the bomb-defusal mode Firecracker, and the capture-the-flag style Splitball, along with three distinct factions (Aeros, Meridian, Sabrask) each featuring unique abilities. These additions proved popular and generated positive buzz.
However, public perception faced challenges. An appearance by 1047 Games CEO Ian Proulx at Summer Game Fest reportedly fell flat, with a speech perceived as “edgy” about the state of FPS games, leading to criticism despite the announcement of a Battle Royale mode for Splitgate 2.
Studio Statement on Layoffs
Writing on LinkedIn, 1047 Games shared the official statement regarding the layoffs:
“Today we parted ways with a small group of valued 1047 Games team members. We’re still perfecting the Splitgate 2 gameplay experience in response to community feedback, and we are redirecting resources to build the best game for our players. We are sad to see our teammates go, and we are actively working to help them secure new opportunities. Further, our co-founders Ian Proulx and Nick Bagamian have opted not to take salaries as we lock in to deliver the next phase of the project. Thank you to those who’ve built alongside us—we are sad to say goodbye and would not be here without you.”
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to the player base: “To everyone who’s playing Splitgate 2, we’re continuing to work hard to deliver more things we know you’ll love. We are committed to building this game for the long haul.“
Critical Reception and Future Outlook
Despite the initial alpha’s popularity and the studio’s long-term vision, the current state of Splitgate 2 has faced criticism. An internal review highlighted the game as “solid mechanically but underwhelming in nearly every other area.” Critics noted that for a sequel developed after halting production on the successful original, Splitgate 2 doesn’t feel like a significant improvement. Modes like the Battle Royale were described as feeling “tacked on,” and overall elements like maps, modes, weapons, abilities, and perks were perceived as “uninspired and wholly unoriginal,” with some even questioning if portals felt less effective than in the first game. While free to play, the game was seen by some as potentially not holding players’ attention for long in its current state.
While the decision for co-founders to forgo salaries is a notable step, the layoffs underscore the challenges 1047 Games is facing as it attempts to refine Splitgate 2 and realize the ambitious vision that led them to pivot from the original game. The studio emphasizes that the resource redirection is aimed squarely at improving the game based on player feedback, signaling that they remain committed to building Splitgate 2 as a sustainable live service title for years to come, navigating the difficult path towards matching their ambition with execution.
