Splitgate 2 Rises: First Playtest Confirms No Factions, Pure Portal Action!

The portal-slinging, arena-blasting phenomenon is officially making its grand return! 1047 Games has announced the commencement of the first private playtest for what's currently known as Splitgate 2 (or codenamed 'Splitgate: Arena Warfare' / 'Splitgate: Nexus'). This marks a pivotal moment for fans eagerly awaiting the next iteration of the beloved portal-based FPS, especially after the original Splitgate gracefully exited beta and then embarked on an ambitious journey to rebuild in Unreal Engine 5.

But hold onto your jetpacks, because this isn't just a graphical overhaul.

Splitgate 2 is undergoing a radical transformation, stripping away layers of complexity in pursuit of pure, unadulterated arena combat. The most significant revelation? Factions and character abilities are officially out. That's right – no more unique powers tied to specific characters or allegiances.

This bold move signals 1047 Games' commitment to returning to the core essence that made the original Splitgate so addictive: lightning-fast movement, precision gunplay, and mind-bending portal mechanics.

This strategic shift isn't arbitrary. The developers' vision for Splitgate 2 is to create a more streamlined, competitive experience where skill and spatial awareness reign supreme.

By removing abilities and factions, the focus is squarely back on mastering the game's unique selling point – the ability to create and traverse portals. This means every gunfight will hinge on your aim, your movement, and your ingenious use of portals to outmaneuver opponents, rather than relying on a special ability cooldown.

It's a calculated gamble, but one that many in the community believe could elevate Splitgate 2 to new heights of competitive purity.

The journey to this point has been a long one. After the original Splitgate soared in popularity, 1047 Games made the courageous decision to halt active development on the live game to fully commit to building Splitgate 2 from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5.

This allowed them to address fundamental technical limitations and expand their creative horizons. The current playtest is a crucial step in validating this new direction, gathering invaluable feedback directly from players.

For those eager to jump into the fray, sign-ups for the private playtest are now open.

However, entry is currently under a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), and the initial waves of invitations are not being extended to content creators. The developers are keen to build the game collaboratively with direct player input, promising to expand access to a wider audience, including streamers and YouTubers, as development progresses.

This phased rollout ensures focused feedback during these critical early stages.

The community's reaction to the removal of factions and abilities has been, predictably, mixed. While some express nostalgia for the lost elements, a significant portion of the player base is overwhelmingly optimistic, viewing it as a necessary step to refine the core gameplay loop.

The consensus leans towards excitement for a game that promises to double down on what truly made Splitgate unique: intense, portal-powered gunfights. With a renewed focus on competitive integrity and the power of Unreal Engine 5, Splitgate 2 is poised to deliver an arena shooter experience unlike any other.

Get ready to portal and conquer!