Splitgate has officially returned under a new name, Splitgate: Arena Reloaded. Developer 1047 Games has relaunched the arena shooter with a redesigned gameplay focus after the original Splitgate 2 failed to meet expectations earlier this year.
Splitgate 2 launched in June 2025 but struggled to gain strong support from the competitive shooter community. Following mixed reactions and an awkward marketing push, the developers decided to take the game offline. At the time, 1047 Games said the title would return in 2026, but the studio surprised players with a relaunch scheduled for late December.
Developers Respond to Player Feedback
According to a statement shared on Steam, the Splitgate team said player feedback played a key role in the reboot. Developers explained that many fans felt the sequel moved too far away from what made the original game popular.
To address this, Splitgate: Arena Reloaded removes factions, abilities, and some equipment. The goal is to return to classic arena shooter gameplay that focuses on gun skill and fast movement.
Map pickups have been added, including Legendary Weapons and Powerups. New tools have also been introduced to better counter portal-based strategies. Performance has been improved as well, with higher frame rates and additional optimizations detailed in the developer’s Steam blog.
Classic Arena Mode and Progression Updates
One of the biggest additions is Classic Arena mode. In this mode, all players start with the same weapons, an Assault Rifle and a Carbine. This creates a balanced experience and supports competitive play.
The game also now includes Mode Select, allowing players to choose specific playlists and tailor their matchmaking experience.
Progression has been fully reworked. Players can advance through 75 Rookie Levels that unlock weapons, equipment, and perks. After that, Challenger Levels extend up to level 1,000 across 10 tiers, rewarding players with prestige cosmetics.
Splitgate: Arena Reloaded also features daily login rewards, unlockable weapon skins, and a Battle Pass with 115 rewards. These systems aim to keep players engaged over time.
Ranked Mode Improvements
Ranked play has received a full overhaul. New placement matches help determine accurate starting ranks. A redesigned leaderboard and a new skill rating system have also been added to improve competitive integrity.
New Maps and Weapons Added
The relaunch includes five new arena maps, bringing the total number of maps to 20. These maps include:
Hammerhead, a massive moving convoy set in a red desert
Terra-13, a large arena inside a Mars farming facility
Abyss, a returning classic map with visual upgrades
Karman Station, a fan favorite space outpost with tight corridors
Oasis, a seaside map with enhanced visuals and updated portal mechanics
A new Power Weapon, the Railgun, has been added. It can be charged to fire piercing shots that can eliminate multiple enemies at once. In addition, three new primary weapons have joined the game: Velocity, Strata, and Barrage, all light machine guns.
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