PlayStation's New Smash Bros-Inspired Game Unveiled

Summary

• A PlayStation studio, taking over from Bungie, is developing a mysterious game code-named Gummy Bears.
• While a MOBA at its core, Gummy Bears uniquely incorporates a percentage-based damage system inspired by Super Smash Bros., replacing traditional health bars.
• Development, spanning at least three years, including its time at Bungie, suggests a release date still some years off. The game aims for a younger audience than previous Bungie titles.

A first-party PlayStation game, codenamed Gummy Bears, draws inspiration from the Super Smash Bros. series, according to a recent report. This report also sheds light on other aspects of this enigmatic project.

Initial whispers of Gummy Bears surfaced in August 2023, when The Game Post reported Bungie's development of a MOBA under this codename. A year later, Bungie's announcement of 220 layoffs (17% of its workforce) included the integration of 155 employees into Sony Interactive Entertainment.

This integration has led to the formation of a new PlayStation studio, according to The Game Post, citing anonymous sources. This approximately 40-person studio has reportedly assumed development of Gummy Bears. While a release date is years away, the current development stage remains unclear. The Game Post also reveals that the MOBA will incorporate elements from Super Smash Bros..

Gummy Bears Reportedly Forgoes Health Bars, Mirroring Smash Bros.

Instead of health bars, Gummy Bears uses a percentage-based damage system affecting knockback distance. High enough damage percentages can even knock characters off the map, mirroring the Super Smash Bros. damage percentage mechanic.

Gummy Bears will feature three standard MOBA character classes: Attack, Defense, and Support. Multiple game modes are planned, alongside a described aesthetic: cozy, vibrant, and "lo-fi." This contrasts sharply with Bungie's previous work, a deliberate choice to distinguish Gummy Bears and appeal to a younger demographic.

Including its time at Bungie, Gummy Bears has been in development since at least 2022. The developer switch aligns with PlayStation's recent establishment of a new Los Angeles studio, suggesting this studio is likely behind Gummy Bears.