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, the game draws inspiration from Super Smash Bros., featuring a percentage-based damage system rather than traditional health bars.
• Gummy Bears has been in development for at least three years but may still be years from release. It aims to target a younger demographic than previous Bungie titles.

A first-party PlayStation game, code-named Gummy Bears, is reportedly taking significant inspiration from the Super Smash Bros. series. This information comes from a recent report that also sheds light on other aspects of this enigmatic PlayStation project.

Rumors of Gummy Bears first surfaced in August 2023, when The Game Post reported that Bungie was developing a MOBA under this codename. However, in the following year, Bungie underwent significant changes, announcing the layoff of 220 employees—a 17% reduction in its workforce—and the integration of 155 staff members into Sony Interactive Entertainment.

These integration efforts have led to the establishment of a new PlayStation studio, according to The Game Post, which cites unnamed sources. This new subsidiary, reportedly comprising around 40 employees, has taken over the development of Gummy Bears. Although the game is likely years away from release, the current stage of its development remains undisclosed. The Game Post notes that Gummy Bears, while a MOBA, 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 percentage-based damage system that affects how far characters are knocked back upon being hit. When this damage percentage reaches a high enough level, characters can be knocked off the map, mirroring the damage percent system used in Super Smash Bros.

Gummy Bears is expected to feature three character classes typical of MOBAs: Attack, Defense, and Support. The game will also include multiple game modes and adopt an aesthetic described as cozy, vibrant, and "lo-fi." These design choices are a departure from Bungie's previous work and are intended to differentiate Gummy Bears and appeal to a younger audience.

Having been in development since at least 2022 during its time at Bungie, the shift to a new developer aligns with recent news of PlayStation establishing a new studio in Los Angeles, presumed to be the same one working on Gummy Bears.