PlayStation's New Smash Bros-Inspired Game Unveiled

Summary

• A PlayStation studio has taken over development of Bungie's mysterious MOBA, codenamed Gummy Bears.
• Unlike traditional MOBAs, Gummy Bears reportedly uses a percentage-based damage system similar to Super Smash Bros., impacting knockback instead of directly reducing health.
• In development since at least 2020, Gummy Bears aims for a younger audience than Bungie's previous titles and features a unique, "cozy and vibrant" aesthetic.

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 details surrounding this enigmatic project.

Initial whispers of Gummy Bears surfaced in August 2023, when The Game Post reported on its development at Bungie as a MOBA. Following Bungie's 2024 announcement of layoffs and the integration of 155 employees into Sony Interactive Entertainment, a new PlayStation studio has reportedly assumed development. This new studio, comprised of approximately 40 employees, is said to have taken the reins of Gummy Bears. While the release date remains years away, the game's current development stage is unclear. The Game Post further reveals that the MOBA will incorporate a unique gameplay mechanic.

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

Instead of traditional health bars, Gummy Bears reportedly uses a percentage-based damage system that affects knockback distance. High enough damage percentages can even knock characters off the map, mirroring the mechanics of 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 "cozy, vibrant, and lo-fi" aesthetic—a departure from Bungie's previous work. This stylistic choice aims to differentiate Gummy Bears and attract a younger demographic.

Having begun at Bungie, Gummy Bears' development reportedly started in 2020. The recent establishment of a new PlayStation studio in Los Angeles aligns with this developer shift, suggesting this California-based studio is behind the game's current development.