1047 Games Shifts Focus to "EMPULSE" After "Splitgate" Challenges
After navigating a challenging period with its previous title, 1047 Games is making a bold new move. The studio, which previously garnered attention with its unique portal-infused shooter, is now channeling its primary efforts into a fresh multiplayer experience named EMPULSE. This new venture aims to recapture player enthusiasm by focusing on dynamic movement and integrating mech combat, promising an exhilarating arena experience.
1047 Games Pivots to EMPULSE: A New Movement Shooter on the Horizon
In a significant strategic shift, 1047 Games has announced its primary focus will now be on the upcoming multiplayer shooter, EMPULSE, with early access anticipated later this year. This decision follows a tumultuous journey with its predecessor, Splitgate 2, which was relaunched as Splitgate: Arena Reloaded but struggled to sustain its player base. Ian Proulx, CEO of 1047 Games, confirmed that while support for Splitgate will continue, EMPULSE has become the studio's foremost project.
EMPULSE is envisioned as a 6v6 arcade shooter, heavily emphasizing player mobility and the tactical use of mechs. Drawing inspiration from the critically acclaimed Titanfall series, the game incorporates wall-running and grappling mechanics to allow for fluid navigation across maps. A distinctive feature of EMPULSE is its handling of mechs, which are presented as powerful, contested resources rather than personal deployables, akin to fighting over a rocket launcher in the Halo franchise. Proulx highlighted the studio's extensive research into top movement shooters like Titanfall 2 and Black Ops 3, as well as an unexpected source of inspiration: the snowboarding game SSX Tricky, aiming to evoke a similar 'flow state' for players. Furthermore, EMPULSE integrates a unique 'P.A.I.N.T. Bombs' mechanic, inspired by Portal 2, where players can throw these bombs onto surfaces to gain speed or jump boosts, enabling complex, chained movement sequences that ensure players are rarely static.
The rapid development of EMPULSE over the past year has been notable, especially considering the backdrop of challenges faced by 1047 Games. The project secretly began as two separate Splitgate prototypes—one exploring snowboarding-like movement into portals and another for fan-requested wall-running—which were eventually merged. This period also coincided with the controversial launch and subsequent 'unlaunching' of Splitgate 2 in 2025, which led to layoffs and a community backlash. Proulx's past comments, such as his desire for a "Titanfall 3" and his "Make FPS Great Again" hat at Summer Game Fest, now appear to be subtle foreshadowing of EMPULSE's direction. With a core team of 15 initially, now expanded to nearly 100 individuals after the 2025 layoffs, 1047 Games is fully committed to preparing EMPULSE for its early access debut. Proulx expresses confidence that by focusing on what players truly desire rather than chasing industry trends, EMPULSE can carve out its own success, aiming for organic growth through player feedback rather than immediate massive sales.
The trajectory of 1047 Games, moving from the initial success of Splitgate to the challenges of its sequel, and now to the promising new endeavor of EMPULSE, offers a compelling narrative of adaptation and resilience in the competitive gaming industry. It underscores the importance of listening to player communities, embracing innovation, and perhaps, the courage to pivot when a project's potential is reimagined. The studio's commitment to returning to its roots of iterative development and direct player engagement, as seen with the original Splitgate, suggests a hopeful future. This journey serves as a reminder that even amidst setbacks, a clear vision and a passionate team can forge a new path forward, demonstrating that true success often lies not in avoiding failure, but in learning from it and evolving.