New PlayStation Game Inspired by Smash Bros Coming Soon

Summary

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

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 aspects of this mysterious PlayStation project.

Rumors of Gummy Bears first surfaced online in August 2023 when The Game Post reported that a MOBA game with this codename was under development at Bungie. However, a year later, Bungie announced the layoff of 220 employees, representing a 17% reduction in its workforce. During this announcement, Bungie also revealed plans to integrate 155 of its staff into Sony Interactive Entertainment.

These integration efforts have reportedly led to Sony establishing a new PlayStation studio, according to The Game Post, which cited unnamed sources. This new subsidiary, comprising approximately 40 employees, is said to have taken over the development of Gummy Bears. Although the release of this upcoming first-party PlayStation game is likely years away, the current stage of development remains undisclosed. The Game Post also reports that Gummy Bears will incorporate elements from Super Smash Bros.

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

Specifically, Gummy Bears is designed without traditional health bars. Instead, it uses a system where damage is represented as a percentage that influences how far a character is knocked back upon being hit. When this percentage-based damage reaches a high level, characters can be knocked off the map, reminiscent of the damage percent system used in Super Smash Bros.

Gummy Bears is expected to feature three character classes typical of MOBA games: Attack, Defense, and Support. The game will also include multiple game modes and an aesthetic described as cozy, vibrant, and "lo-fi." This style starkly contrasts with anything Bungie has previously produced, a deliberate choice to differentiate Gummy Bears and appeal to a younger audience.

Having been in development since at least 2022 during its time at Bungie, the recent claim of a developer switch aligns with the establishment of a new PlayStation studio in Los Angeles, assuming this is the same studio now working on Gummy Bears.