EMPULSE Early Access Launches June 24 – What to Expect

The EMPULSE Early Access launch is locked in for June 24, 2026, bringing a movement‑first shooter from 1047 Games, the studio behind Splitgate. Early previews have called it an unapologetic love letter to Titanfall 2's fluid, wall‑running, grapple‑swinging combat, and it's landing on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in just three days. With full controller support and cross‑platform play at launch, it's built for intense sessions no matter where you play - including from the couch.

A free demo is live now on Steam until June 22 as part of Steam Next Fest, giving players a short window to try the movement mechanics before committing to the Early Access build.

What's in the Early Access Build?

1047 Games isn't holding back at launch. The Early Access version ships with 6v6 multiplayer across multiple modes, five maps, ten primary weapons, and five distinct P.A.I.N.T. Bomb types that add tactical variety. Mech combat - a direct nod to Titanfall's Titans - is available from day one, along with two progression tracks (Rep Level and Rookie Level) and a 4v4 Ranked and Competitive Practice mode.

Cross-platform multiplayer is enabled across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S out of the gate. Unlike many modern shooters, EMPULSE launches without an in‑game store, battle pass, or microtransactions. Cosmetics are earned solely through Gigs, progression, and in‑game events.

Price and Anti‑Cheat

EMPULSE will cost $19.99 at Early Access launch, with an additional launch‑week discount lowering the price further. The developers have confirmed the use of RedKard, a kernel‑level anti‑cheat system, to protect competitive integrity from day one.

Community Impressions and Known Issues

Early hands‑on impressions from Steam Next Fest have been positive, with one preview describing the game as featuring "one of the best movements I have seen since Apex Legends." Another outlet called EMPULSE the "highest‑urgency demo in the event" because the free trial closes so close to the paid launch.

“Empulse makes no bones about being a love letter to Titanfall 2, as it's based on Titanfall's mobility, where you can stay in constant motion in vertical environments.”

— GamesBeat hands‑on preview

As for known issues, 1047 Games has not yet published a specific list of bugs or stability problems for the Early Access build. Based on the demo's performance, early testers report stable gameplay on mid‑range hardware, but players should expect the occasional hiccup typical of an in‑development title.

Controller and Steam Deck

EMPULSE supports both mouse‑and‑keyboard and controllers natively on PC. Steam Deck verification status hasn't been confirmed by the developer yet, though the game's gamepad support suggests it could run well on the handheld. We'll update once official word lands.

From Splitgate to EMPULSE: A Studio Shift

1047 Games' journey to EMPULSE follows Splitgate's early success and Splitgate 2's later struggles in the live‑service market. With EMPULSE, the studio has pivoted to a paid Early Access model without battle passes or microtransactions at launch, focusing on core mechanics instead of seasonal content treadmills.

For players who enjoy fast‑paced shooters from the couch, warmUP - a couch‑first PC launcher that unifies your libraries into one controller‑friendly interface - can get you into the action quickly. Great for kicking back with movement games like EMPULSE on the big screen.