Splitgate developer 1047 Games has officially announced EMPULSE, a 6v6 movement shooter featuring pilotable mechs and Titanfall-inspired mechanics. The game arrives in early access in 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series.
EMPULSE is a newly announced 6v6 movement-based first-person shooter from 1047 Games, the studio behind Splitgate. Officially revealed on May 20, 2026 with a Steam page now live, the game is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with early access launching sometime in 2026. It supports 16 languages and features cross-platform multiplayer, kernel-level anti-cheat (RedKard), and Steam Achievements.
What Exactly Is EMPULSE?
EMPULSE is a fast-paced competitive shooter set in Freehold, a post-utopian city built vertically. Teams of six face off in matches where movement mastery is just as important as aim. The game blends wallrunning, grappling, and pilotable mechs into arena-style combat. 1047 Games CEO Ian Proulx confirmed earlier in March 2026 that the project draws direct inspiration from Titanfall and Call of Duty: Black Ops 3.
Insider Gaming journalist Tom Henderson, who viewed pre-alpha footage, described EMPULSE as a “spiritual successor” to Titanfall. The mechs in particular were characterised as “strikingly similar” to Respawn Entertainment’s Titans. The game was first leaked under the EMPULSE codename before 1047 Games made it official with the Steam page reveal.
How Does the Movement System Work?
Movement sits at the core of every firefight in EMPULSE. According to the official Steam description, players can wallrun forwards and backwards, swing with a grapple hook, launch off Holojump pads, and alter surfaces using P.A.I.N.T. bombs to gain tactical advantage. Freehold’s vertical map design encourages route-chaining and elevation control across every district.
The P.A.I.N.T. bomb mechanic stands out as a genuinely original addition. These throwable devices modify surfaces to change how players interact with the environment, opening up new movement routes or denying them to enemies. Bidirectional wallrunning is another notable twist on the standard formula popularised by Titanfall and Black Ops 3.
How Do Mechs Change the Fight?
Player-controllable mechs spawn on the map during matches. They come equipped with heavy weapons, unique abilities, and a massive health pool. Claiming a mech gives your team a significant advantage, but the opposing squad can rally together to bring it down and swing momentum back.
Henderson reported seeing a mech armed with a gatling gun, a missile launcher, and an energy shield in the pre-alpha footage. The total number of mech types remains unknown. In the current playtest build, players cannot “rodeo” or hijack mechs as in Titanfall; they can only destroy them. Mechs also feature an overshield that recharges if the pilot avoids taking damage for a period, though core health stays depleted.
Loadout System and Weapons
Based on early playtest details, EMPULSE uses a custom loadout system reminiscent of Splitgate: Arena Reloaded, Titanfall, and Call of Duty. Players select one primary weapon, two attachments, a P.A.I.N.T. grenade type, and two perks before spawning. Visible weapon types include assault rifles, shotguns, and submachine guns.
Three P.A.I.N.T. grenade variants were available during testing. The playtest featured three game modes across two different maps, with Team Deathmatch confirmed among the available options. Detailed mode breakdowns and the full weapon roster have not been disclosed yet.
What Are the System Requirements?
EMPULSE targets accessibility across a wide range of PC hardware. The requirements published on Steam are notably modest for a 2026 release:
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i3-6100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1400 |
| GPU | GTX 960 / Radeon RX 470 | GTX 1060 / Radeon RX 580 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
The game runs on Unreal Engine with EpicOnlineServices SDK integration. A GTX 960 minimum floor means most mid-range gaming PCs from the last several years should handle EMPULSE without issue, which could help build a healthy player base at launch.
Why Does 1047 Games’ Track Record Matter?
1047 Games built its reputation on Splitgate, a free-to-play shooter that cleverly combined portal mechanics with arena combat. The original Splitgate peaked at nearly 500,000 concurrent Steam players during its 2021 beta surge. However, the studio’s follow-up has been rocky. Splitgate 2 launched to underwhelming numbers in mid-2025, was relaunched as Splitgate: Arena Reloaded in December 2025, and peaked at just 2,297 concurrent Steam players. It has not crossed 1,000 daily concurrent players since early February 2026.
EMPULSE represents a pivotal moment for the studio. As Gagadget reported, 1047 Games has internally framed this project as a “last chance to prove the studio can deliver.” CEO Ian Proulx made headlines at Summer Game Fest 2025 with a “MAKE FPS GREAT AGAIN” hat while promoting Splitgate 2, drawing both attention and scepticism. Whether the studio can channel that ambition into a polished product remains the central question.
When Is the Official Reveal and Release?
The Steam page went live on May 20, 2026 with a “Coming Soon” status. A full official reveal is expected around Summer Game Fest on June 5, 2026, though it could also be held for The Game Awards later in the year. Early access will begin on PC via Steam in 2026, with console versions for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S likely arriving alongside the full 1.0 release at a later date.
Whether EMPULSE will be free-to-play or a premium-priced title has not been confirmed. Players can currently wishlist the game on Steam and sign up for email updates through the official site at playimpulse.com.
Why Should Titanfall Fans Pay Attention?
October 2026 marks ten years since Titanfall 2 launched, and Respawn Entertainment has never delivered a proper sequel. Apex Legends filled the battle royale gap but left the mech-piloting, wallrunning arena shooter niche completely empty. EMPULSE is the most direct attempt to fill that void: pilotable mechs with heavy weapons, movement-first gunplay with grapple hooks and wallrunning, and competitive 6v6 matches built around map control.
Other spiritual successors like ShatterRush exist in early development, but EMPULSE carries the most mainstream visibility thanks to 1047 Games’ existing audience and multi-platform commitment. If the studio can nail the balance between fluid pilot combat and satisfying mech moments, EMPULSE could become one of 2026’s biggest surprises in the competitive FPS space.
