1047 Games have officially launched the expansive Open Beta for Splitgate 2, offering players an unprecedented look at the highly anticipated sequel. Starting yesterday, May 22nd, the Open Beta will remain live continuously through the full game’s launch this summer, allowing players to carry their progression seamlessly into the final release.
This Open Beta is a significant leap forward from February’s Alpha, packed with new features and content, though developers confirm even more surprises are slated for the full launch. Headlining the new additions is “The Lab,” an intuitive yet powerful map creator mode.
Unleash Your Creativity with “The Lab”
“The Lab” empowers players to design their own maps and game modes, whether working solo or collaborating with up to 15 friends in real-time. Inspired by the likes of Unreal Engine and Halo’s Forge mode, The Lab aims to make map creation accessible to all, while offering the depth for experienced users to realize complex visions. Players will have access to various blank canvas templates, scalable geometric shapes, prefabricated items, environmental props, and gameplay objects.
1047 Games emphasizes its commitment to The Lab’s longevity, promising continued support and content updates post-launch based on community feedback. The developers are eager to showcase community creations and are even inviting dedicated map-making enthusiasts to apply for the “Splitgate MVP” program, with a dedicated map creator category.
Takedown Returns Alongside Four New Simulation Maps
A beloved game mode from the original Splitgate, Takedown, makes its triumphant return in the Open Beta. This fan-favorite pits teams against each other in a race to eliminate all opponents, with a unique twist: kills shorten your team’s respawn timers, while deaths extend them. The first team to have all enemies simultaneously dead wins the round. To celebrate its return, Takedown will be playable across four brand-new Simulation maps, including an updated version of the popular Simulation Charlie. More Simulation maps are planned for future seasons, and The Lab will also equip players to design their own.
New Arena Maps and Expansive Onslaught Battlegrounds
The Open Beta introduces two new arena maps: Core and the highly anticipated return of Stadium. Core, set beneath the surface of Venus, offers fast-paced vertical combat around a mysterious artifact. Stadium, the most popular map from the original Splitgate, has been meticulously re-envisioned with key gameplay enhancements, including a central launchpad and a new death pit. These additions bring the total number of arena maps to seven for the Open Beta.
For larger-scale battles, two new “Onslaught” maps, Drought and Fracture, join the previously revealed Glacier. These massive, multi-team maps promise epic engagements in diverse environments, from a dried-out seabed on a desert moon to gravity-defying floating islands.
Introducing the Borealis Power Weapon and Beta Battle Pass
Players can look forward to wielding the Borealis, a brand-new charge-up power carbine from the Meridian faction. Described as a fusion of a railgun and an energy beam rifle, its visually striking effects live up to its namesake.
The Open Beta also features Splitgate 2’s first mini Battle Pass, priced at 500 Splitcoin (approximately $4.99 USD). This pass offers exclusive character and weapon skins, a portal skin, emotes, sprays, weapon charms, player card banners, and bonus Splitcoin and Proelium (the cosmetic upgrade currency). This mini Battle Pass system is a preview of the game’s post-launch content strategy, which will feature three shorter, lower-priced Battle Passes corresponding to monthly narrative chapters.
Founder’s Packs and Cosmetic Innovations
Three faction-themed Founder’s Packs are available, offering exclusive cosmetic items. For the ultimate Splitgate 2 enthusiasts, the Aces Founder’s Bundle and Ultimate Founder’s Bundle provide even more cosmetic unlocks and bonus Splitcoin.
1047 Games reiterates its commitment to a “no pay-to-win” philosophy, ensuring all cosmetic items are purely aesthetic. The Open Beta introduces “Mythic” rarity character and weapon skins with unique, cosmetic-only reload animations. Players can also obtain skin variants and upgrades using Proelium, allowing for further personalization through custom tracer effects, death effects, and reactive elements.
“Hunt the Devs” Returns and Expanded Platform Availability
The popular “Hunt the Devs” event from the Open Alpha makes a comeback, offering players a chance to earn exclusive “Dev Killer” skins by eliminating 1047 Games developers sporting a special flaming disco ball skin. The event will be ongoing throughout the Beta, with specific two-hour windows announced on Discord.
Splitgate 2 is expanding its reach for the Open Beta. In addition to Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, the game is now available on PS4, Xbox One, Steam Deck (via Proton), Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. Full cross-play functionality ensures players can team up with friends regardless of their chosen platform.
Progression Carries Over, Full Launch Imminent
Crucially, all player progression made during the Open Beta will carry over to the full game launch. 1047 Games confirms that the Open Beta will transition directly into the full release, with the official launch date to be announced soon.
With a wealth of new content, a groundbreaking map creator, and a clear path to the full game, the Splitgate 2 Open Beta promises an exciting and engaging experience for both returning fans and new players. Join the portal-slinging action today!
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