The shooter Splitagte 2 is undergoing a massive overhaul, losing its hero shooter elements and celebrating its comeback this month under a new name.
Seven months after developer 1047 Games sent the sequel to their surprise hit back to the drawing board, the final plan for the relaunch has now been finalized. Splitgate 2 will become Splitgate: Arena Reloaded. (to the game on Steam)
The new name is accompanied by a fundamental shift in design philosophy: away from the modern trends of hero shooters and back to the classic arena gameplay that made the first installment so popular.
The relaunch is set for December 17, 2025, and we’ll tell you everything that’s in store.
The most important news for veterans of the first game is the complete removal of the elements that were originally supposed to define Splitgate 2. The developers are eliminating all factions and abilities.
Probably the most important news for veterans of the first part is the complete removal of the elements that were originally supposed to define Splitgate 2. The developers are removing all factions and character-specific abilities from the game without replacement.
Specifically, this means:
There are no longer any classes that decide the outcome of a battle before it even begins using a rock-paper-scissors principle. Instead, the focus is once again on pure “gunplay” in combination with the unique portal mechanics. The portals are used as usual to move across the map at lightning speed or to flank opponents from unexpected angles.
The goal is to revive the feel of classic arena shooters such as Quake, Unreal Tournament, or the early Halo games, rather than competing with titles such as Overwatch.
Return of the leaderboards and new content
However, alongside the removals, there are also numerous new features: Splitgate: Arena Reloaded introduces features that are often neglected in the modern multiplayer landscape but are essential for core gamers. These include comprehensive player statistics and global leaderboards.
Anyone who remembers the multiplayer lobbies of the mid-2000s in games like Halo knows that these statistics were often the main driver of long-term motivation. The studio is deliberately focusing on the factor of “bragging rights” – i.e., the right to show off your own achievements.
The launch on December 17 will also bring some substantial new content:
- Five new maps.
- Four new weapons, including light machine guns (LMGs) for the first time in the series’ history.
- A completely revamped ranked mode.
- A new system for career progression.
Despite the massive overhaul of the game mechanics, the developers are sticking to the planned distribution model. Splitgate: Arena Reloaded will be released as a Free2Play title. If you want to see the changes for yourself, you can do so completely free of charge.
The release will be simultaneous across all platforms. PC players can already add the title to their library on Steam, while console owners on Xbox and PlayStation will also have access starting December 17.
