Season 1

The first season of Splitgate was announced August 9th, 2019, released on September 4th.

TLDR

 * New Map
 * New melee weapon
 * Overhauled graphics
 * Improved UI and custom crosshairs
 * Performance Optimizations
 * Redesigned matchmaking and Ranking system
 * Arena Pass with new cosmetics and challenges
 * Race Course Game mode
 * Smarter AI

Online

 * Redesigned Matchmaking and Ranking System
 * We have moved to an ELO ranking system which will more accurately match players based on skill
 * Players will play 10 placement matches to determine their initial rank and rank XP is earned through wins, losses, and performance in game
 * Rank Tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master, Champion

Arena Pass

 * Introducing the Season 1 Arena Pass, which adds a totally new progression system to unlock exclusive skins, characters, emotes, emblems and more. Premium Arena Pass is available for purchase in-game or at https://store.steampowered.com/app/1144685/Splitgate_Arena_Warfare__Arena_Pass/

XP

 * New Daily and Weekly Challenges - Complete new challenges everyday to gain XP
 * Daily Play Streaks - Get a 5% XP boost for each consecutive day played. (Maximum 25% Boost)
 * Friends XP Boost - Get a 5% XP boost for each friend in your party
 * Custom Game XP - Added ability to earn XP in custom games (capped at 2500)

Customization

 * Emotes - Dance, taunt and express yourself all over your enemies. Unlockable through the Arena Pass and through SAW Packs. (Default key is B)
 * New Unlockable Customization added to SAW Packs and redeemable with Arena Alloy

Maps

 * New Map - Abyss is a new close-quarters map called set in an ancient temple
 * All Maps have been revamped and re-imagined for Season 1
 * Major Performance improvements on all maps

Game Modes

 * Changed Time Limit for all games to 10 min. Adjusted scoring accordingly (DOM: 600. KOTH: 200)
 * Changed Ranked Game Modes to start with Pistols only (removed AR)
 * Fast Capping has been added to Domination. The more players on the hill, the faster you capture it
 * Fixed bug where Flag could be captured twice in CTF
 * Fixed bug where Flag could be taken through Portal sometimes
 * Fixed bug where Flag could be stuck in the ceiling
 * Flag is now reset faster when going out of bounds
 * Fixed bug where Flag/Oddball couldn’t be picked up sometimes
 * Added Teabag Confirmed back to the social playlist

Race

 * Added Race Mode - Collect disco balls as fast as possible using portals on each map. Compete against yourself, your friends, and the global leaderboards. Races are a fantastic way to learn portals.

Gameplay

 * Significant performance improvements across the board for a smoother experience
 * Improvements to AI movement and combat techniques
 * Melee improvements (less trades, less aggressive rotation lock on, improvements near portals, better detection, etc.)
 * Spawning algorithm improvements
 * Fixed a bug where you could shoot yourself through your own portal while traveling through it
 * Fixed a bug where enemy portals wouldn’t stop flashing and playing sound when enemy died within range of it

Weapons

 * New Weapon - The BFB. Pick up this high velocity melee weapon on select maps and charge at the enemies.
 * Added Portal Launcher fire animations
 * Fixed bug where dropped pickups sometimes wouldn’t spawn
 * Improved plasma rifle’s responsiveness
 * Fixed recoil bug when unequipping weapons
 * Improved projectile hit detection
 * Fixed Battle Rifle firing exploit when switching weapons

Balancing

 * Reworked Assault Rifle: more accurate, less ammo
 * Slight accuracy buff to the SMG
 * Removed random spread and damage dropoff from Battle Rifle
 * Assault Rifle reduced to 30 shots per magazine
 * Pistol magazine increased to 12 shots
 * Plasma Rifle respawn time increased to 90 seconds
 * SMG respawn time decreased to 60 seconds
 * Railgun respawn time increased to 150 seconds

UI

 * Brand New Main Menu Design and Experience
 * In-Game HUD Revamp - Visual improvements and layout changes
 * General UI/UX Overhaul
 * Radar Functionality changed to show moving (non-crouching) enemies instead of firing enemies
 * Added Custom Crosshairs. Change the style and the color of your weapon crosshairs to help you perform at your full potential.
 * Added Medal Icons for multi-kills, killstreaks, assist, etc.
 * Killer’s name and health remaining at time of killing you is now shown upon death
 * Banner displaying victim’s name is now shown when getting a kill
 * Subtitles for in game announcements, videos, etc.
 * Simplified hit indicators when using a custom crosshair

Localization

 * Added Native In-Game Support for 10 Languages including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish.
 * Added Subtitles for in-game announcer (toggleable in UI settings)

Sound

 * New Main Theme Music - Original track from Grammy Award-winning composer Christopher Tin in collaboration with DJ tyDi and Alex Williamson.

Tutorial

 * Created an in-depth in-game tutorial to better teach new players key mechanics

Spectator

 * Fixed rotation bug when spectating a player going through a portal

Misc

 * Anti-Cheat Improvements - We are constantly monitoring and improving the way we handle cheaters
 * NVIDIA Highlights integration, letting GeForce users automatically capture their best multi-kills and headshots in game
 * Fixed bug where lineup platform would become visible in game
 * Fixed bug where in-game players were visible behind post-game scene
 * Portal quality setting added that lets you change your portal rendering resolution or turn off their rendering all together.
 * Disabled open mic by default
 * Other bug fixes and improvements