Splitgate 2 "Unlaunches" After Player Count Craters 93%

Headline:
Splitgate 2 "Unlaunches" After Player Count Craters 93%—Devs Pledge 2026 Relaunch

Subheadline:
1047 Games pulls the plug on its troubled arena shooter reboot, vowing to rebuild from scratch after disastrous early access debut.

Article:
In a stunning reversal, 1047 Games has announced the immediate "unlaunch" of Splitgate 2, its highly anticipated portal-based shooter sequel. The decision comes just weeks after its early access debut, as concurrent player counts on Steam plummeted a jaw-dropping 93%—from a peak of 12,500 at launch to fewer than 900 players today.

The studio confirmed the move in a blunt social media post, admitting the game "failed to meet expectations." In a statement on X/Twitter, CEO Ian Proulx acknowledged, "We rushed to meet demand, but Splitgate 2 isn’t ready. Rather than letting it die, we’re pulling it back to rebuild properly." The game will be pulled from digital storefronts effective immediately.

What Went Wrong?

Splitgate 2 launched on April 17, 2025, promising a "next-gen evolution" of the original’s portal-gun mechanics. But players quickly criticized its "barebones" content, unstable servers, and lack of innovation over its predecessor. SteamDB charts (see player collapse here) reveal a near-vertical decline—a death spiral accelerated by scathing reviews ("Overpromised, underdelivered," read one top critique).

Industry analysts point to misaligned expectations. "They marketed a full sequel but delivered what felt like a patch," said Maria Chen of GameTrend. "When your player base evaporates faster than a portal closes, you’ve got problems."

The Road to 2026

1047 now aims for a complete 2026 relaunch, promising "core gameplay overhauls," expanded maps, and a rebuilt progression system. All existing players will retain access to the current build during development, though matchmaking may suffer as the community shrinks.

The studio also faces financial pressure. Though funded by a $100M 2022 investment, Splitgate 2’s flop risks alienating fans of the original—which peaked at 67,000 concurrent players in 2021.

Community Whiplash

Reactions among players range from frustration to cautious optimism. "Why charge $30 for an alpha?" tweeted @PortalKing. Others praised the transparency: "Rare to see devs admit failure. Hope they pull a No Man’s Sky," Reddit user u/SplitVeteran wrote.

For now, Splitgate 2 joins gaming’s "unlaunched" hall of fame—a cautionary tale of hype vs. reality. Its fate now hinges on 1047’s ability to portal-jump back from the brink.

//END//
—Liam Foster, Gaming Correspondent

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