New First-Party PlayStation Game Will Reportedly Be Inspired by Smash Bros

Summary

• Bungie's mysterious game, code-named Gummy Bears, has reportedly changed developers and is now being developed at a new PlayStation studio.
• While primarily a MOBA, the game is rumored to take inspiration from Super Smash Bros., featuring a percentage-based damage system instead of traditional health bars.
• Gummy Bears has been in development for at least three years but could still be years away from release. It aims to target a younger demographic than any prior Bungie game.

A first-party PlayStation game, code-named Gummy Bears, is said to draw significant inspiration from the Super Smash Bros. series, according to a recent report. This report also sheds light on other intriguing details about this enigmatic PlayStation project.

The first hints of Gummy Bears' existence surfaced online in August 2023, when The Game Post reported that a MOBA title with this codename was under development at Bungie. However, a year later, Bungie announced it was laying off 220 employees—a 17% reduction in its workforce. At that time, the Destiny developer also revealed plans to integrate an additional 155 of its staff into Sony Interactive Entertainment in the near future.

These integration efforts have now led to Sony establishing a new PlayStation studio, according to The Game Post, which cites unnamed sources familiar with the matter. The new subsidiary, reportedly comprising around 40 employees, has taken over the development of Gummy Bears. Although the upcoming first-party PlayStation game is likely years away from release, its current development stage remains undisclosed. Despite the scarcity of details on Gummy Bears, The Game Post reports that the MOBA will adopt a gameplay mechanic similar to Super Smash Bros.

Gummy Bears Reportedly Won't Have Health Bars, Similar to Smash Bros.

Specifically, Gummy Bears is said to feature a health system that functions as a modifier, determining how far a character is knocked back upon being hit. When the percentage-based damage reaches a high enough level, characters can even be knocked off the map. This mechanic closely resembles the damage percent system used in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Gummy Bears will reportedly include a trio of character classes typical of MOBA games: Attack, Defense, and Support. The game is also expected to offer multiple game modes, coupled with an aesthetic described as cozy, vibrant, and "lo-fi." These design elements starkly contrast with Bungie's previous works, a deliberate choice aimed at differentiating Gummy Bears and appealing to a younger demographic.

Having been in development since at least 2022 during its time at Bungie, the recent claim of a developer switch aligns with the news of PlayStation establishing a new studio in Los Angeles. It remains to be seen whether this California-based division is the same one tasked with developing Gummy Bears.

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