Splitgate Devs Building Titanfall Successor — Reportedly Titled ‘Empulse’

1047 Games, the studio behind the portal-based shooter Splitgate, is developing a spiritual successor to the Titanfall franchise reportedly dubbed 'Empulse'. According to an exclusive report from Insider Gaming, which was later picked up by outlets like Engadget, the new project is a movement shooter that aims to capture the specific high-mobility combat that made the Titanfall series a cult classic. The game is said to be in a pre-alpha state, meaning a public release is likely a long way off.

What We Know About 'Empulse'

Details on the project are thin, originating from Insider Gaming's initial report. The consensus from the available information is that 'Empulse' is the working title for 1047 Games' next major effort. The core design pillar appears to be a direct homage to Titanfall's fast-paced, fluid movement systems, a style of gameplay that has been largely absent from the market since the release of Titanfall 2 in 2016. Both Engadget and Insider Gaming note the game is extremely early in development, currently existing in a pre-alpha stage.

This news provides crucial context for 1047 Games' surprising announcement in 2022. The studio declared it was ceasing feature development on its successful free-to-play shooter, Splitgate, to focus on a new project set within the same universe. At the time, the decision to effectively freeze a popular live-service game was met with confusion. This new report suggests 'Empulse' is that new project, representing a major pivot from portal-based arena combat to a different, but equally beloved, shooter subgenre.

The Titanfall-Sized Hole in the Market

The decision to build a spiritual successor to Titanfall is a calculated one. Despite critical acclaim and a passionate fanbase, the Titanfall franchise has been dormant under publisher Electronic Arts, leaving a clear market gap. Respawn Entertainment, the original developer, has been focused on the massively successful Apex Legends—a battle royale set in the same universe but with fundamentally different gameplay—and its Star Wars Jedi series. Fans have been clamoring for a 'Titanfall 3' for years, a demand that has gone unanswered.

This creates a significant opportunity for a studio like 1047 Games. By targeting this underserved niche, they are not starting from zero. They are building for an existing, dedicated audience that knows exactly what it wants: high-speed, vertical, and mechanically demanding combat. While Splitgate demonstrated the studio's ability to innovate on classic arena shooter formulas, 'Empulse' appears to be a bet that they can service a community abandoned by a AAA publisher. The pattern indicates a smart, if risky, strategy: instead of competing directly with giants like Call of Duty, find a proven concept with a built-in fanbase and execute on it with a focus that the original creators can no longer afford to provide.