Splitgate Dev Announces Titanfall-Inspired Shooter Empulse
Splitgate (https://www.ign.com/games/splitgate-2) developer 1047 Games has announced Empulse, a Titanfall-inspired movement shooter expected to release into early access later this year. In an interview with Polygon, 1047’s Ian Proulx emphasized that while the studio continues supporting Splitgate: Arena Reloaded — the second game released just a few months ago — Empulse remains the main priority. He noted, ‘I still believe in Splitgate: Arena Reloaded — I really do. It’s a great game. I think it needs some sort of… [insert placeholder]’.”
Proulx explained his vision for Empulse: ‘We looked very closely at some of our favorite and the best movement shooters out there — like Titanfall 2, Black Ops 3, and even some of the movement CODs. But we also explored non-shooting games like SSX Tricky. We took inspiration from the flow state of wall running, grappling, sliding, and bouncing off jumps. We envisioned a world where instead of relying solely on jump pads or man-cannons, players could experience a more immersive experience.’
This approach isn’t entirely abandoning Portal 2’s roots, though. Players will have Plasma Activated Infusion of NanoTech (PAINT) bombs, similar to Portal’s pro- and repulsion gels, allowing for extra speed or jump boosts. These can be chained together, creating a highly mobile shooter where players are never standing still, resulting in a ‘really freaking fun’ experience. Proulx acknowledged that many Titanfall fans are already familiar with the game, and he found it interesting how players were initially asking for wall-running mechanics despite the lack of maps tailored for it. He added, ‘A lot of people have asked for wall-running over the years, and that was one of the things we actually prototyped in early 2025 — and we ended up not putting it into the game because we didn’t know how to build maps for this kind of gameplay.’
The studio previously launched Splitgate 2 (released June 2025) to middling reviews, controversy, and player drop-offs. After unlaunched support in July, it was relaunched as a free-to-play game across platforms. Proulx reflected, ‘If you look at live-service games that haven’t done well, there’s a million reasons — it’s so hard to make a game that resonates with players. I think one of the reasons certain games haven’t performed well is chasing trends rather than providing something players want.’
In my opinion, Empulse represents a shift toward more flexible, immersive gameplay. While games like Fortnite or Call of Duty dominate the market, Empulse offers a unique blend of movement mechanics and innovation. This suggests that the gaming industry is evolving beyond traditional titles, focusing instead on creative storytelling and player experience. Personally, I think this move reflects a broader trend toward games that prioritize narrative over spectacle, making Empulse a bold step forward in that direction.
