Splitgate is a little bit of an anomaly. Being in early access for two years, it has exploded onto the scene over the last few months, seeing hundreds of thousands of players making their way to its arena action.
To shine a little light on it, we had a chat with Splitgate CEO and co-founder Ian Proulx about the game's past, present, and future.
We had quite a long chat, so our sub-headings will tell you what each section is talking about so you can skip around to the topics you're most interested in. We'll start with some introductions.
Introductions
James Bentley (RealSport 101): Could you Introduce yourself and what you do on the team?
The Splitgate Idea
JB: Where did the idea of Splitgate come from?
What did the team learn in early access?
JB: Since the middle of 2019, how has the development of the game changed and how has the community affected it?
1047 Games' Origins
JB: At the start of the studio, was Splitgate the immediate idea that came about or was there something you messed around with before that came to fruition?
"Make what you want to play"
JB: Now that games courses are starting to become implemented, is that something you’re looking forward to seeing more of in the future?
This ties into an interesting thing at the core of the team. Making the classes they wish they could have taken, making the games they wish they could have played. In my time speaking to Ian, there was a sense of passion for the project that was as infectious as it was charming.
Ian's Advice for 2017 Himself
JB: If you could go back to January 2017, is there any advice you would give yourself?
This speaks to the power of keeping players around, something Splitgate has gotten increasingly better at. Keeping players engaged and actually playing is a skill small alphas don’t train you for.
Plans for Single-player
JB: Are there any plans in motion to do anything single-player or is it (Splitgate) going to be exclusively multiplayer going into the future?
You can read all about the potential single-player mode right here.
Thoughts on Trickshotters
JB: I’ve noticed that trickshotters have started to pour into Splitgate. What are your thoughts on trickshotters in the game?
How has angel investment shaped the game?
JB: How has that (the angel investment) shaped your design philosophy knowing you actually have cash available to go into the future?
Easter Eggs
JB: Can you reveal any easter eggs nobody has spotted yet?
Halo 2
This answer is perhaps my favourite and did not spring from a question. I just started talking about Halo 2 and Ian took it the rest of the way.
Thoughts on battle royale
JB: The Twitter page has made a couple of tongue-in-cheek jokes at the expense of battle royales, I just wanted to get your opinion on them?
The return of the arena shooter
JB: Do you think we could see the return of the arena shooter?
Is free to play the way of the future?
JB: Do you think free-to-play is the way the bigger games will reach the market?
Plans to bring Splitgate to Nintendo Switch
JB: Are there any plans to bring Splitgate to the Switch in the future?
Plans for the future of multiplayer
JB: Can you give us a hint at any plans for the future?
Ian then asked what he was allowed to reveal to me and was told he could say very little. We were told we would definitely find out more for the future of the game at Gamescom this year. Perhaps a big announcement is on the way.
Advice for a new Splitgate player
JB: If you were to give advice to a new player starting Splitgate, what would be something you would tell them?
You can read this full answer over in our dedicated piece right here.
Any plans outside of Splitgate?
JB: Do the team have any plans outside of Splitgate?
Advice to devs making their passion project
JB: If you could give any advice to a dev chasing their passion project, like you and the team did, what would you say to them?
Thank to Ian for chatting with us and giving us some of his time and insight. Hopefully we'll see a lot more from Splitgate in the future.