Splitgate Dev Responds to Low Steam Player Count

Developer 1047 Games has issued a public statement addressing the performance of Splitgate: Arena Reloaded on PC. The studio’s message comes amidst player anxiety regarding low concurrent user numbers on Steam shortly after the game's re-release. The developer argues that raw data does not capture the full picture of the game's health or enjoyment.

The relaunch occurred on December 17, 2025, for PC and multiple console platforms. This release followed a major strategic shift in July 2025, where the studio chose to cancel the previously announced sequel to overhaul the original game. While the development team acknowledges the current Steam metrics, they are urging the community to look beyond the charts and consider the game's broader ecosystem and upcoming content.

The conversation regarding Splitgate: Arena Reloaded began after launch statistics revealed a lower-than-expected turnout on Steam. According to available data, roughly 2,300 players logged in during the initial launch window. By the time of the studio's response, that number had reportedly dipped to just over 800 concurrent players.

These figures sparked immediate concern within the Splitgate community, with many players fearing for the title's longevity. The anxiety is compounded by the game's history; the original version was pulled offline in July 2025 alongside layoffs at the studio. To address this, 1047 Games took to social media to clarify their position.

The studio's core argument is that Steam metrics are inherently limited. They stated, "Steam Charts don’t measure fun." The developer elaborated that these charts display a single number on one platform at a specific moment, failing to reflect the actual gameplay experience or the active community engagement.

A critical part of the studio's defense is the game's multi-platform release strategy. While Steam numbers are publicly visible, Splitgate: Arena Reloaded also launched simultaneously on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S. Additionally, the game is available via the Epic Games Store.

1047 Games noted that player metrics for these other platforms are not as openly available as they are for Steam. Consequently, it remains unclear if the game is experiencing similar engagement levels on consoles or the Epic Games Store. The studio emphasized that a focus on Steam alone ignores a significant portion of the player base.

The studio's statement highlighted that the relaunch was not merely a re-release but a comprehensive overhaul. The team believes that the current metrics fail to capture the "full picture" of what the game offers across all supported devices.

The current state of Splitgate: Arena Reloaded is the result of a major U-turn in development strategy. In July 2025, 1047 Games announced it was canceling Splitgate 2 to refocus resources on the original title. This decision was made during a period of layoffs at the studio.

The studio promised to return with "big, sweeping changes" to the original game, effectively reworking it into Arena Reloaded. The game officially relaunched on December 17, 2025, featuring a rebuilt progression system, new maps, and technical improvements.

Despite the challenges, the studio remains committed to the project. They confirmed that development on the Arena Royale component is ongoing and expected to launch in the near future. This mode represents part of the "upcoming content" mentioned in their statement to the community.

In their direct communication, 1047 Games expressed gratitude to the existing community. The studio credited player feedback and passion for helping improve Arena Reloaded on a daily basis. They specifically acknowledged the community's role in shaping the game's current iteration.

Addressing potential new players, the developer issued an invitation to try the game. The statement included the message: "To everyone who hasn’t played yet: Arena Reloaded is free, the gameplay’s the best it’s ever been, and we’d love for you to jump in and form your own opinion."

The studio emphasized that "a lot of passionate people worked very hard on it," reinforcing their commitment to the project despite the negative sentiment surrounding the Steam launch numbers. They aim to shift the narrative from raw data to the actual experience of playing the game.