Splitgate 2 Director Apologizes Amid Summer Game Fest Hat Controversy

Earlier this week, we as soon as once more had the great Summer season Sport Fest hosted by the ever-present Geoff Keighley. Apart from the reveals of titles like Resident Evil Requiem and Atomic Coronary heart 2, there was a showcase for Splitgate 2, which garnered fairly a little bit of consideration, presumably for all of the mistaken causes.

Splitgate 2, a sequel to the Portal-infused Halo non secular successor Splitgate, already had its justifiable share of friction, including in a hero-like system and motion shooter mechanics sure to make any FPS fan groan. Nevertheless, when the CEO of the corporate, Ian Proulx, got here out with a “Make FPS Nice Once more” hat, these turned the lesser points.

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The hat was throwing shade at primarily each different common multiplayer FPS recreation, which is truthfully commonplace, however it was additionally making a blatant political reference to Donald Trump’s slogan “Make America Nice Once more”, primarily splitting their viewers in two over a single unmistakable slogan.

Instantly after the presentation, the CEO made a put up elaborating on the hat, however notably refusing to difficulty any form of apology. After the pot has been stirred for just a few extra days, Proulx has lastly issued a proper apology, each explaining the core beliefs behind the hat, whereas persevering with to disavow any official political assertion.

Within the above put up, labeled “No excuses. I’m sorry,” he begins by explaining that the hat’s preliminary function was to “break by the noise” and “seize consideration.” To be truthful, if that was the intent, it utterly labored—simply have a look at all of the riled-up avid gamers this hat harbored on-line.

Proulx additionally maintains that the crew “didn’t intend for this to be taken in any political method in anyway,” which is believable contemplating the truth that the hat screamed “any consideration is sweet consideration,” even when that focus is referring to essentially the most unstable political local weather Individuals have ever seen.

It is price noting that the announcement on the Summer season Sport Fest passed off in LA, the identical time and placement the place large protests have been ongoing as a result of political points associated to the present political administration.

That mentioned, Proulx appears to know that no less than among the backlash was anticipated, claiming that “I’m not an fool.” Though this hat fiasco will in all probability preserve a divide locally, I believe we will all agree that this entire factor comes all the way down to only a easy, silly resolution.

All mentioned and accomplished, this apology is probably going one of many higher ones, particularly contemplating that half of the developer apologies these days are issued once they fireplace half their workforce. Nevertheless, that isn’t the tip of the controversy, as there’s extra to unpack past political hypothesis with Splitgate 2.

Hypocrisy Debate Behind Splitgate 2

The one factor that caught a lot of our eyes throughout Proulx’s presentation throughout Summer season Sport Fest, in addition to the hat, was his conviction that Splitgate 2 was created with the expectation of fixing what has gone mistaken with trendy multiplayer FPS video games.

Within the presentation, he reminisces about rising up on Halo and being upset with the disappointing state of yearly Name of Obligation releases. Extra importantly, he references Titanfall 3, a follow-up many within the FPS style have begged for, however was sadly by no means launched.

One thing many followers have identified is that in the identical presentation, Proulx introduced the brand-new battle royale recreation mode for Splitgate 2. And in case you’re a fan of Titanfall, you’d join the dots that the battle royale recreation Apex Legends is strictly one of many issues that killed off any likelihood at a Titanfall 3.

The hypocrisy goes a bit additional, although, as regardless of claiming Splitgate 2 is making an attempt to deliver life again into the FPS style, going in opposition to the heavy hitters within the business, it nonetheless contains an in-game money store with some bundles priced as excessive as $40-$80.

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In a follow-up put up on Reddit, which incorporates the promise of a later AMA, Ian Proulx has answered the query of why Splitgate 2 has a battle royale. Put merely, he claims that “our imaginative and prescient has all the time been to create an enviornment shooter BR hybrid.”

The factor is, having performed Splitgate 2 and its battle royale, they each really feel and play completely advantageous, however I nonetheless discover the hypocrisy of most of the builders’ actions fairly unsure. Between the state of affairs with the hat, the poor monetization, and the inclusion of a battle royale, many people discover the “Make FPS Nice Once more” scheme a bit ironic.

In each apology and response Proulx has given concerning the hat, he has maintained that it is their aim to construct an FPS recreation higher than another. However claiming your love for Titanfall and Call of Obligation, whereas together with the identical methods that destroyed those self same franchises, is fairly odd.

With luck, Splitgate 2 will be capable to return to glory after this fiasco. No matter any controversy, Halo with portals is all the time going to be cool, so let’s simply see if Proulx and his crew can pull their weight to the end line after this rocky begin.

Splitgate 2

Launched

June 6, 2025

ESRB

Teen // Blood, Violence

Engine

Unreal Engine 5

Variety of Gamers

1

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