The development studio behind *Splitgate 2*, 1047 Games, has announced a round of layoffs affecting an unspecified number of employees. In a recent LinkedIn post, the company confirmed that a "small group" of team members have departed as part of internal restructuring efforts. This move comes amid ongoing challenges following the game's launch and community response.
In a show of commitment to the project’s future, co-founders Ian Proulx and Nicholas Bagamian have chosen to forgo their salaries as they focus on refining the game and addressing player feedback. The decision reflects the leadership’s dedication to steering *Splitgate 2* back on course after a rocky start.
A Rocky Launch
The free-to-play shooter, often described as “*Halo* with portals,” launched under controversy. During a high-profile appearance at the Summer Game Fest, co-founder and director Ian Proulx wore a hat emblazoned with the slogan “Make FPS Great Again.” His on-stage comments calling out *Call of Duty* were later viewed as a marketing misstep, drawing polarized reactions from fans and media alike.
Upon release, *Splitgate 2* introduced a battle royale mode and a $145 microtransaction bundle—decisions that were met with criticism from the gaming community. While the original *Splitgate* reached a peak concurrent player count of 67,724 on Steam, its sequel peaked at just 25,785 players during launch—a figure that has since dropped further. At the time of writing, Steam recorded a 24-hour peak of 10,059 players, with 4,437 active players logged in at the moment of publication.
Cross-Platform Reach vs. Player Retention
Despite the drop in Steam numbers, it’s worth noting that *Splitgate 2* launched across multiple platforms including consoles. According to 1047 Games, the title has already attracted over 2.5 million players globally. However, converting that initial interest into long-term engagement has proven difficult, as reflected by mixed reviews on Steam.
While player stats offer one perspective, the broader challenge lies in maintaining a cohesive and satisfied player base. Following the game’s launch, Proulx expressed surprise at the backlash, stating in an interview with IGN that “we didn’t expect this to be nearly as controversial as it was and we didn’t intend for it to be.”
Official Statement from 1047 Games
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 Nicholas 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.
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.
Although the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed, several key team members have publicly announced their exits via social media channels. These departures signal a significant shift within the studio as it attempts to reposition itself in a competitive market.
IGN Review Summary
Despite the setbacks, *Splitgate 2* did receive a modest 7/10 in its review by IGN. The publication noted: “*Splitgate 2* is a decent successor to the original that expands on it, but never really surpasses it.” This sentiment echoes the general tone of player reception—acknowledging progress while highlighting missed potential.
