Spellbreak

Last updated
Spellbreak
Spellbreak cover 2020.jpg
Developer(s) Proletariat
Publisher(s) Proletariat
Engine Unreal Engine 4 [1]
Platform(s)
ReleaseSeptember 3, 2020
Genre(s) Battle royale
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Spellbreak was a free-to-play, class-based third-person shooter video game developed by Proletariat for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, released on September 3, 2020. [2]

Contents

On June 28, 2022, it was announced that Spellbreak would shutdown in early 2023. [3] It was shut down on January 10, 2023. [4]

Gameplay

Spellbreak was a projectile-based PvP shooter, however, unlike other shooters, it used gauntlets that fired magical spells in place of guns. Additionally, players could levitate and carry one 'Rune,' giving access to abilities like flight, teleportation or invisibility. Players could choose from one of six elemental classes: wind, fire, ice, lightning, stone and toxic, which granted in game benefits related to that element. Each player started with their class gauntlet permanently attached to them and could pick up one of the other five as a secondary. Gauntlets could deal a primary attack, called a spell, and a secondary attack, called a sorcery. Spells were limited by Mana which was an energy pool shared with levitation, while using a sorcery triggered a cooldown timer. Elements from different gauntlets could be combined to make spells more powerful, provide crowd control effects, or reduce others, depending on strategic desires. [5] [6] [7] According to the developer the game also included role-playing and roguelike elements.

Game modes included battle royale and Clash, a team deathmatch. With the release of Chapter 2 on April 8, 2021, Dominion, a 5v5 mode featuring control points would replace Clash. [8]

Development

The core combat was inspired by old school shooters like Quake and Unreal Tournament. [9] At the time the Battle Royale genre was and CEO Seth Sivak remembers thinking "was really a competitive roguelike for people that didn’t play roguelikes" wondering "Could we do a cool, interesting fantasy version of that and make it into something awesome? All the mean while finishing it up with in 2 years and with a team of 6.’" [10] The setting was decided on after the team realized that most Battle Royale games were gun based and felt that they could produce a fantasy themed version of the genre. According to executive producer Cardell Kerr the game was initially more "swords than sorcery" although the balance would eventually switch. [11] The gameplay was influenced by such games as Unreal Tournament and Quake , while the visual design was influenced by such animated movies such as Akira and Princess Mononoke as well the TV show Avatar: The Last Airbender . Further inspiration for the visuals came from games with "gorgeous visual effects like 2D Castlevanias , League of Legends , and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild " [12]

Proletariat announced in late June 2022 that they would stop working on further updates for Spellbreak as they had been acquired by Activision Blizzard and were transitioning to incorporate into Blizzard Entertainment's team that is in charge of developing World of Warcraft . [13]

Reception

Spellbreak received "generally positive" reviews for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One and "mixed or average" reviews for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, according to review aggregator Metacritic.

Related Research Articles

<i>20XX</i> 2017 video game

20XX is an indie action platform video game developed by American indie studio Batterystaple Games. The early access version was released for Microsoft Windows on Steam on October 12, 2016, and in full on August 16, 2017. It later launched on the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on July 10, 2018, and on Xbox One on July 11, 2018.

<i>Diablo</i> (series) Video game franchise

Diablo is an action role-playing dungeon crawler video game series developed by Blizzard North and continued by Blizzard Entertainment after the North studio shut down in 2005. The series is made up of four core games: Diablo, Diablo II, Diablo III, and Diablo IV. Expansions include the third-party published Hellfire, which follows the first game; Lord of Destruction, published by Blizzard and released after the second game; and Reaper of Souls, which follows the third game. Additional content is provided through story elements explored in other media forms.

<i>Crypt of the NecroDancer</i> 2015 video game

Crypt of the NecroDancer is a roguelike rhythm video game developed and published by Canadian independent game studio Brace Yourself Games. The game takes fundamental elements of a roguelike dungeon exploration game and adds a beat-matching rhythm game set to an original soundtrack written by Danny Baranowsky. The player's actions are most effective when moving the character set to the beat of the current song and are impaired when they miss a beat, so it is necessary to learn the rhythmic patterns that the various creatures follow. The mixed-genre game includes the ability to import custom music, and the option to use a dance pad instead of traditional controllers or the keyboard. The game was released for Linux, OS X, and Windows in April 2015, being co-published by Klei Entertainment, for the PlayStation 4 and Vita in February 2016, for the Xbox One in February 2017, and for Nintendo Switch in February 2018. Crypt of the NecroDancer Pocket Edition, developed for iOS, was released in June 2016.

<i>Minecraft: Story Mode</i> 2015 video game

Minecraft: Story Mode is an episodic point-and-click video game developed and published by Telltale Games, based on Mojang Studios' sandbox video game Minecraft. The first five episodes were released between October 2015 through March 2016 and an additional three episodes were released as downloadable content (DLC) in mid-2016. A second season consisting of five episodes was released in 2017.

<i>Borderlands: The Handsome Collection</i> 2015 video game

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is a compilation of first-person shooter video games developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K. The Handsome Collection consists of both Borderlands 2 (2012) and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (2014) for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, along with all of their accompanying downloadable content, enhanced local multiplayer, and the ability to transfer save data from their respective PlayStation 3 /Vita/PSVR and Xbox 360 versions. A port to the Nintendo Switch entitled Borderlands Legendary Collection was released in North America on May 29, 2020 along with the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions, which additionally includes the first Borderlands. For The Handsome Collection, Borderlands 2 was ported by Iron Galaxy Studios and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel by Armature Studio. The Legendary Collection port was handled by Turn Me Up Games and Behaviour Interactive.

<i>Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds</i> 2013 video game

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds is a beat 'em up developed and published by Mages under the 5pb. brand, and originally released on February 27, 2013 for the Xbox 360. it is a spin-off of the fighting game Phantom Breaker.

<i>Ziggurat</i> (2014 video game) 2014 video game

Ziggurat is a first-person shooter dungeon crawl video game developed and published by Milkstone Studios. The game was released for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Mac in October 2014 after being available for two months in early access. The game was released for the Xbox One in March 2015, and PlayStation 4 in April 2015. It was inspired by Heretic and Hexen: Beyond Heretic. A sequel, titled Ziggurat 2, was released on October 28, 2021.

<i>Quest of Dungeons</i> 2014 video game

Quest of Dungeons is a roguelike indie game released on March 25, 2014 by Portuguese developer Upfall Studios. The game features 16-bit graphics to resemble games from the Super NES and Sega Genesis era. It was initially released for Windows, Mac and iOS and was later ported to Xbox One via ID@Xbox on September 7, 2015. In February 2016, it was announced that the game was being developed on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS and was released on September 29, 2016. It was later released for PlayStation 4 on January 17, 2017. On August 2, 2017, it was announced that it would be coming to the Nintendo Switch.

<i>Snake Pass</i> (video game) 2017 video game

Snake Pass is a puzzle-platform game developed and published by Sumo Digital for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. Players play as a snake traversing floating islands in themed levels. Despite being a platform game, the player cannot jump and has to move similar to a real snake. The game was released in North America, Europe, and Australia in March 2017.

<i>Battle Chasers: Nightwar</i> 2017 role-playing game

Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a turn-based role-playing video game developed by Airship Syndicate and published by THQ Nordic. It was released in October 2017 for Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and in May 2018 for Nintendo Switch and Linux. Based on the Battle Chasers fantasy comic book series by Joe Madureira, the game involves the cast of that series being marooned on an island and being forced to stop the plans of an evil sorceress in order to escape.

<i>Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 + 2</i> 2020 video game

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a 2020 skateboarding video game developed by Vicarious Visions and published by Activision. It was released for PlayStation 4, Windows and Xbox One on September 4, 2020, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on March 26, 2021, and Nintendo Switch on June 25, 2021. It is a remake of the first two games in the Tony Hawk's series: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (1999) and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (2000), which were originally developed by Neversoft. It is the first major console game in the series since Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5 (2015) and is Vicarious Visions' final work as a subsidiary of Activision before it was merged into Blizzard Entertainment on January 22, 2021.

<i>Bayonetta</i> Video game series

Bayonetta is a series of action-adventure games created by Hideki Kamiya, developed by PlatinumGames, and owned by Sega. The franchise was introduced in 2009 with Bayonetta. Two sequels were released, Bayonetta 2 (2014) and Bayonetta 3 (2022), as well as a spinoff, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (2023). In the games, players control a witch nicknamed Bayonetta as she wields dual pistols, shooters in her high heels, and long, magically transforming hair which becomes a deadly weapon.

<i>Othercide</i> 2020 video game

Othercide is a horror-theme tactical role-playing video game developed by French independent video game development studio Lightbulb Crew and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on July 28, 2020. The game later released for the Nintendo Switch on September 10 that same year. It had received generally positive reviews upon release.

<i>Curse of the Dead Gods</i> 2021 video game

Curse of the Dead Gods is a 2021 roguelike video game developed by Passtech Games and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game was released via early access in March 2020, and in full in February 2021 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

<i>Nowhere Prophet</i> 2019 video game

Nowhere Prophet is a roguelike deck-building game developed by German developer Sharkbomb Studios and published by No More Robots. The game was first released in early access for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux in October 2017 on Itch.io. The game was fully released for these platforms in July 2019. A version for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One followed in July 2020.

<i>BPM: Bullets Per Minute</i> 2020 video game

BPM: Bullets Per Minute is a roguelike rhythmic first-person shooter developed and published by Awe Interactive. The game incorporates elements from rhythm games and roguelikes. It was released for Microsoft Windows in September 2020, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in October 2021, and for Nintendo Switch in September 2022.

<i>One Step From Eden</i> 2020 video game

One Step From Eden is a roguelike action video game created by American independent developer Thomas Moon Kang, and published by Humble Bundle. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, it was released for Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch in March 2020, and later ported to PlayStation 4 in June 2020, and Xbox One in November 2021.

<i>Neon Abyss</i> 2020 video game

Neon Abyss is a run and gun video game with roguelike elements developed by Veewo Games. The game's premise is centered around members of the Grim Squad as they descend the Abyss, which consists of a series of levels with procedurally generated rooms, in pursuit of powerful entities known as the New Gods. The characters can use a variety of firearms and special abilities to fight enemies across each level. Neon Abyss was released for multiple platforms on July 14, 2020, with British video game developer Team17 as their primary publisher. Neon Abyss has received a generally positive reception with video game critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proletariat (company)</span> American video game developer

Proletariat, Inc. is an American video game developer based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded by Seth Sivak and former Zynga industry veterans in 2012. The company was acquired by Blizzard Entertainment in 2022. Proletariat, Inc. has developed multiple independent games and launched its best-known game, Spellbreak in September, 2020.

<i>The Persistence</i> 2018 video game

The Persistence is a survival horror video game developed and published by Firesprite. Originally released for the virtual reality headset PlayStation VR in July 2018, the game was released for PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One in May 2020. An Enhanced version of the game was released for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S in June 2021.

References

  1. ↑ "Spellbreak is a unique battle royale game that combines magic, roguelike, and RPG elements". Unreal Engine. February 19, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Spellbreak to launch as free-to-play title". Gematsu. 15 July 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  3. ↑ "On the future of Spellbreak". Spellbreak. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  4. ↑ "Servers Have Sunset". Spellbreak. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  5. ↑ Hargreaves, Jim (19 March 2020). "Preview: Is Spellbreak the next must-play battle royale game?". The Sixth Axis. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Orland, Kyle (3 March 2020). "Spellbreak beta stands out from the copycat battle royale crowd". Arstechnicha. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  7. ↑ Chandler, Sam (29 February 2020). "Spellbreak hands-on preview: Battle royale with a magical twist". Shack News. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  8. ↑ "Spellbreak officially reveals new Dominion game mode details". PC Invasion. 2021-03-23. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  9. ↑ Hargreaves, Jim (19 March 2020). "Spellbreak developer talks PS4, inspirations, and cross-play". TheSixthAxis. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  10. ↑ "Spellbreak is a chaotic, magic-slinging take on battle royale". Venturebeat. 30 October 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  11. ↑ Shubhankar, Parijat. "Spellbreak Interview – Progression, Upcoming Improvements, Possible Next-Gen Ports, and More". Gamingbolt. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  12. ↑ Hargreeves, Jim (19 March 2020). "Spellbreak developer talks PS4, inspirations, and cross-play". The Sixth Axis. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  13. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (June 29, 2022). "Blizzard acquires Spellbreak studio Proletariat to bolster World of Warcraft". Venture Beat . Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Spellbreak for PC Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Spellbreak for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Spellbreak for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Spellbreak for Switch Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  18. ↑ Andriessen, CJ (19 September 2021). "Review: Spellbreak". Destructoid . Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  19. ↑ Jagneaux, David (19 September 2021). "Spellbreak Review". IGN . Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  20. ↑ "Spellbreak Review (Switch eShop) | Aces high". Nintendo Life . 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.