Splitgate 1 Isn’t Going Away, But There’s a Catch

The saga of the Splitgate franchise has been a tumultuous one. After the breakout success of the original game, developer 1047 Games made the ambitious decision to cease feature development on Splitgate 1 in order to go all-in on a full-fledged sequel. The hope was that Splitgate 2 would build on the original’s success and create a new, long-term live-service game. However, after a troubled launch in June 2025, the sequel has been met with a steep player count decline and widespread criticism. In a stunning reversal, 1047 Games announced they would “unlaunch” Splitgate 2 and revert it to a beta state for a complete overhaul. And while the original game’s servers were initially slated for a shutdown, a new announcement from the developers has revealed that the game will indeed be sticking around, but with a major caveat that has a lot of fans concerned about its future.

In a statement on July 22, 2025, the developer admitted that the launch of Splitgate 2 was premature and that it failed to capture the magic of the original game. They announced that they were going “back to the drawing board” for a major rebuild, a process that would involve significant layoffs and a temporary wind-down of development on the sequel. In the same statement, they also announced that the servers for the original game, Splitgate 1, would be shut down in mid-August 2025. The reason? The cost of maintaining the servers for a game that was no longer receiving new content was a major financial drain on the studio. However, this decision was met with immediate backlash from the community, who argued that while the player count for Splitgate 1 was low, it still had a dedicated following that wanted to continue playing the game they fell in love with.

The Great Compromise: P2P and Offline Support

In a move that shows they are listening to community feedback, 1047 Games has now announced a compromise. While the official servers for Splitgate 1 will still be shut down to save on costs, the game will be receiving a new update that will introduce a new “offline” and “peer-to-peer” matchmaking mode. This is a significant change that means the game will still be playable, but without the support of official, dedicated servers. This is a major win for the community, as it means the game will not simply disappear from existence. Players will still be able to play against bots, and more importantly, they will be able to host their own games and play with friends online. For a game that has a dedicated following, this is a much-needed and welcome change that will preserve the legacy of a cult classic.

However, this new solution comes with a major catch. While the game will be playable, it will not be receiving any new content or updates. This means that if any bugs are discovered or if any exploits are found, they will likely remain in the game. It is a one-time update, a final farewell that is designed to keep the game alive in a limited capacity. The burden of maintaining the game’s community and ensuring a stable connection will now fall on the players themselves, who will have to rely on their own internet connections and the stability of the game’s new peer-to-peer system. This could lead to a number of new problems, including lag, connection issues, and a fragmented community that is unable to play together on a single, unified server.

What This Means for the Future of Splitgate

The compromise to keep Splitgate 1 alive is a sign of a developer that is desperately trying to win back the trust of its community. The failure of Splitgate 2 has put the future of the entire franchise in jeopardy, and the decision to keep the original game alive is a clear attempt to show the fans that they are listening. However, the move is a double-edged sword. While it keeps the game alive, it also serves as a stark reminder of the financial difficulties that have plagued the studio. The layoffs and the decision to shut down the official servers are a clear sign that 1047 Games is in a precarious position, and the pressure is now on them to deliver a polished and compelling experience with the rebuilt Splitgate 2. The new peer-to-peer system is a nice gesture, but it won’t fix the underlying issues that have plagued the franchise. For a community that has been patient for years, the time for a true, polished sequel is now, and the future of the entire franchise rests on their ability to deliver it.