Splitgate 2 has lost over 80% of its Steam players less than a month after launch, following controversy and rocky updates.
It hasn’t been an easy launch for Splitgate 2. After making a loud appearance at Summer Game Fest 2025 with a reveal of its Battle Royale mode, the game quickly became the center of controversy, not for its gameplay, but because of a hat.
During the big stage moment, 1047 Games CEO Ian Proulx wore a black cap with the phrase “MAKE FPS GREAT AGAIN,” which many felt was too close for comfort to a certain political slogan. The message sparked backlash, and while Proulx initially defended it as a commentary on the state of first-person shooters, he later admitted it was considered a “meme” and posted a video apologizing for the unintended division it caused.
That misstep, combined with some aggressive monetization choices, like an $80 skin bundle right at launch, and growing frustrations around XP progression, quickly took the shine off what was supposed to be a major moment for the franchise.
And now, less than a month later, the player numbers tell a rough story.
Splitgate 2 Steam Player Count Drops Over 80%
According to data from SteamDB, Splitgate 2 has lost over 84% of its peak Steam player count since launch day on June 6, 2025. On release, the game saw a strong start with an all-time peak of 25,785 players, but those numbers have sharply declined.
Here’s a breakdown of how things are looking right now:
- Launch day peak: 25,785 players
- Current 24-hour peak: 4,107 players
- Lowest recorded daily peak: 1,033 players
- Pre-launch daily peaks: around 10,000 players
That means the game is now struggling to hit even half of its pre-release testing numbers.
Behind the scenes, the situation hasn’t been much better. Developer 1047 Games recently confirmed a round of layoffs, though the exact number of employees affected hasn’t been shared. In a follow-up statement, the studio said it’s using this time to refocus on feedback and improve Splitgate 2.
Co-founders Ian Proulx and Nicholas Bagamian also announced that they’ve paused their own salaries to help keep things afloat. It’s a sign that the studio is taking the hit seriously, but it also raises questions about how stable the project is long-term.
How are you feeling about Splitgate 2 right now? Did you jump in at launch, or are you still holding out for major fixes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
