PlayStation's New Smash Bros-Inspired Game Revealed

Summary

• A PlayStation studio, not Bungie, is now developing the mysterious MOBA, codenamed Gummy Bears.
• Unlike traditional MOBAs, Gummy Bears reportedly uses a percentage-based damage system similar to Super Smash Bros., impacting knockback rather than directly reducing health.
• Development, spanning at least three years, including time at Bungie, suggests a release date still some time off. The game is reportedly targeting a younger audience than previous Bungie titles.

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

Initial reports surfaced in August 2023, identifying Gummy Bears as a MOBA in development at Bungie. Following Bungie's 2024 announcement of layoffs and the integration of 155 employees into Sony Interactive Entertainment, a new PlayStation studio has reportedly taken over development. This new studio, comprised of approximately 40 employees, is now responsible for Gummy Bears, according to sources cited by The Game Post. While the game's release remains years away, its current development stage remains undisclosed. However, details suggest a unique approach to gameplay mechanics.

Gummy Bears Reportedly Forgoes Health Bars, Adopting a Smash Bros.-Style System

Instead of health bars, Gummy Bears reportedly utilizes a percentage-based damage system affecting knockback distance. High enough damage percentages can even knock characters off the map, mirroring the mechanics found in Super Smash Bros. games.

The game will feature the standard MOBA character classes: Attack, Defense, and Support. Multiple game modes are planned, alongside a described aesthetic that is cozy, vibrant, and "lo-fi"—a departure from Bungie's previous work. This stylistic shift aims to differentiate Gummy Bears and attract a younger audience.

Development, including its time at Bungie, dates back to at least 2022. The shift to a new PlayStation studio aligns with the recent establishment of a new Los Angeles-based studio, suggesting this California studio is the one handling Gummy Bears.