1047 Games CEO Ian Proulx has issued an apology following a wave of backlash after Splitgate 2’s controversial Summer Game Fest 2025 appearance.
The presentation, which was meant to highlight the game’s full release and introduce a surprise battle royale mode, ended up drawing criticism for its tone, messaging, and in-game monetization.
The spark for much of the controversy was Proulx’s decision to wear a cap reading “Make FPS Great Again” during the announcement. Intended as a tongue-in-cheek slogan, the phrase and presentation style were met with immediate pushback, especially given Proulx’s jab at Call of Duty’s yearly formula and the revelation that Splitgate 2 featured microtransactions exceeding $140.
The backlash was swift—Steam reviews for Splitgate 2 took a nosedive, with negative ratings outpacing positive ones for the first time since the open beta went live. In response, Proulx took to the official Splitgate 2 Twitter account to share a video addressing the situation.
He apologized specifically for the cap and acknowledged its political undertones, clarifying that the intent wasn’t to make a political statement but to stand out in a crowded showcase.
“As a small studio, it’s hard to cut through the noise.”
Proulx admitted the team expected some level of controversy from the cap but viewed it more as a meme than a statement with real-world implications. However, he acknowledged that the fallout was far worse than anticipated and sincerely apologized for the unintended offense and disruption it caused in the community.
While the presentation’s tone was a focal point of criticism, players were equally frustrated by Splitgate 2’s monetization model. In light of the backlash, 1047 Games has already adjusted its in-game pricing, lowering the cost of certain microtransactions in response to community feedback.
Despite the rocky showcase, Proulx stood by the underlying message of “Make FPS Great Again,” saying it reflects the studio’s belief that the FPS genre needs innovation and that Splitgate 2 aims to bring fresh ideas to the table. He also highlighted that, despite the controversy, the game’s player base has grown significantly—tripling its user count since the open beta launched, with a surge coming largely from console players.
Only time will tell if Splitgate 2 can recover its image, but the studio appears to be listening closely as it continues to refine the experience in response to its growing community.
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