Speedball Remake to Officially Launch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox
Rebellion has announced that its futuristic arcade sports game, Speedball, will officially exit Early Access and launch its full version on January 27.
This title, a revival of The Bitmap Brothers franchise that began in 1988, will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
The game initially launched into Early Access for PC on October 29, 2024.
Speedball is set in the grim future of 2138, where it functions as a no-holds-barred sport used by mega-corporations to occupy the masses.
It is the only sport where two cybernetically augmented teams go head-to-head, featuring levels of speed and violence that defy human limits.
Matches are described as fast-paced, explosive, and unpredictable, requiring players to master high-speed passing, coordination, and shooting to succeed.
Beyond the brutal, arcade-style action, the game incorporates sports management strategy. Players must organize a team that fits their playstyle, selecting, positioning, and managing players based on their individual traits, talents, and cybernetic augmentations.
This allows for strategic choices between all-out aggression and defensive powerhouse compositions. The game’s most visceral takedowns are captured by a slow-motion Slam Cam.
Players can hone their skills against the AI before competing online or against a friend locally.
Since the Early Access launch in October 2024, Rebellion has continually added new content and updates, overhauling the game for its version 1.0 release.
Updates include the addition of a new League Mode, where ten teams compete over a full season to be crowned champions.
A comprehensive tutorial system has been implemented to help new players learn the game’s complex mechanics.
The visual experience has seen improvements, including upgraded VFX on high-impact collisions, alongside new Brutal variants of arenas alongside their Standard versions.
The shooting system was improved for better shot placement, and core gameplay mechanics like speed, goalkeeping, and AI have been enhanced.
Eight new arenas have been added to the roster, featuring dynamic traps and obstacles such as flamethrowers, ice shotguns, and grind rails.
New armor sets and color styles are also available for customization.
The game’s full release will mark a successful conclusion to the Early Access phase, which Rebellion, having acquired the Bitmap Brothers catalogue in 2019, undertook to involve the passionate fanbase of the original game in the development process.
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