In 2021, a group of seven industry veterans noticed a gaming landscape willing to invest in huge budgets and recycled mechanics but hesitant to innovate with new gameplay experiences. Determined to create the kind of multiplayer games they wanted to play themselves, they founded Ruckus Games. Today, they’re offering a first look at their debut project and inviting players to join them in early playtesting.
Led by Paul Sage, CEO and Game Director (formerly Creative Director of Borderlands 3 and The Elder Scrolls Online), Ruckus Games boasts a talented team known for their key roles in some of the industry’s most beloved franchises. Team members hail from giants like Gearbox, Riot Games, Blizzard, Epic Games, and Monolith, bringing together the essential ingredients to craft a fresh multiplayer experience.
Ruckus Games has already made waves by securing $19 million in funding to realise their vision. Impressively, investors were convinced after just 20 minutes of playing a vertical slice demo—a remarkable achievement for a prototype developed by only 14 people over 12 months.
Their upcoming title, still shrouded in secrecy, promises co-op gameplay for up to four players in an evolving world enriched with emergent content over time. Set against the backdrop of the American heartland, players step into the shoes of everyday people forced to become heroes when their town comes under attack. Mysterious events unfold, and not everything is as it seems.
Featuring a diverse roster of playable characters and thousands of unique makeshift weapon combinations—imagine a toaster modified to shoot saw blades or a power washer turned flamethrower—players will “Smash, Grab, and Grow” as they navigate thrilling suburban invasion scenarios. You’ll take to the streets, cause havoc, discover inventive weapons and resources, and rescue NPCs to bring back to your Hometown, a living central hub. Here, you can customise, build, and upgrade over time, enhancing your weapons and abilities for another round of chaotic fun.
The game’s captivating and engaging gameplay is further elevated by its unique visual style, led by Scott Kester, the art director who transformed Borderlands from a gritty pre-release aesthetic into the iconic, colourful graphic novel style that defined the series. This new title’s eye-catching art style conceals deeper, darker moments, drawing players into a world that balances fun and humour with darkness and peril. It’s a story of unlikely heroes using everything at their disposal to overcome overwhelming forces.
Ruckus Games is committed to disrupting the industry by utilising a community-centric development process, focusing on direct feedback from players from the very start. Embracing their motto, “The Player is Our Hero”, they’re inviting interested gamers to get early hands-on experience throughout the development process. Those eager to join can sign up on the Ruckus Games website for playtest updates and invites.
“We want games where people have fun from the get-go. Games that are physical, joyous, and just a damn good time to be shared with others,” said Paul Sage, Game Director and CEO of Ruckus Games. “We can’t wait to show you what we have in store.”
Ruckus Games socials
- Ruckus Games website: https://www.ruckus-games.com/
- Follow Ruckus Games on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ruckus_games
- Follow Ruckus Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ruckus-Games-202549905131505
- Follow Ruckus Games on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ruckusgames
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