Splitgate 2 made its debut on June 6, 2025, but in less than a month, the player engagement on PC has significantly faltered, experiencing an alarming decrease of over 80% in its player count.

The original Splitgate garnered significant attention in late 2021 by blending portal mechanics with high-octane arena shooting gameplay. Its free-to-play model thrived, reaching nearly 70, 000 concurrent players on PC at its peak, bolstered by a robust social media presence.

Mixed Reception for the Sequel

In an effort to capitalize on the franchise’s initial success, 1047 Games launched the sequel four years later. Unfortunately, Splitgate 2 has struggled to achieve a similar level of acclaim and player retention.

After a promising start, with a peak of 25, 785 concurrent players shortly after its release, Splitgate 2 has seen a stark decline in user numbers. Presently, the game’s 24-hour peak player count on Steam stands at just 4, 107, marking an 84% decrease in player engagement.

Splitgate 2 player count
Data Source: SteamDB

Despite this steep decline, Splitgate 2’s short lifespan has included critical updates, such as the introduction of a Battle Royale mode, alongside popular figures from the FPS community like Scump and Shroud streaming the game. Yet, these efforts have not substantially reversed the downward trend in player numbers.

Broader Challenges and Controversies

It’s essential to note that the current player statistics do not encompass the game’s performance on consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. However, the series of challenges faced by 1047 Games and Splitgate 2 cannot be overlooked. The game was embroiled in controversy during the Summer Game Fest, where CEO Ian Proulx drew criticism after appearing on stage with a cap that read ‘Make FPS Great Again.’ This incident spurred a backlash on social media, prompting swift changes to the game’s monetization policies in response to player discontent regarding high-priced bundles.

Splitgate 2 CEO on stage at Summer Game Fest
Source: Summer Game Fest

As if the situation couldn’t get any worse, recent news confirmed that 1047 Games underwent layoffs last week, although the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed. In an effort to navigate these turbulent waters, Proulx and co-founder Nicholas Bagamian have decided to forgo their salaries to aid in the stabilization of the company.

As Splitgate 2 continues to grapple with these various challenges, the FPS community is left wondering what the future holds for this ambitious franchise.

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