Who Let the Gods Out? Titan Forge Unleashes Smite 2

Since 2012, the mighty MOBA Smite has attracted over 40 million players with an irresistible hook: become a god and do battle all across the mythological map. Players choose from the forms, and unique fighting capabilities, of a multiplicity of immortals: Anubis, Chronos, Thor… and many, many more. Pitting god against god in giant brawls, this multiplayer online battle arena game is, in short, a lot of fun. A sequel, therefore, is demanded, and on its way. Alex Cantatore of Titan Forge Games took time out from his duties as executive producer of Smite 2 to speak to us about the next stage for the godly game.

Don’t Mess with Success

“Smite 2 is the true sequel to Smite,” Alex says. “We wear that influence on our sleeve quite proudly.” What was it about the original game that made it such a hit, and informs the sequel’s choices? “Smite has an incredible theme,” Alex explains. “You get to see all of these truly amazing, all-powerful, legendary characters interact with each other for the first time … [it] takes the strategic gameplay of a top-down MOBA, but translates it into a third-person action combat game. This unique perspective makes Smite feel like a hero shooter in some ways, but set in the world of a MOBA … Smite 2 is the next-gen evolution of the formula that brought 40 million players to Smite.”

“It’s still got all the things you love about Smite,” Alex continues, “but we’re bringing it into the modern generation, making a big jump from Unreal Engine 3 to Unreal Engine 5. In addition, we’re adding a lot more strategic depth that sits just below the surface. If you’re a newer player to the Smite universe, you’ll notice that Smite 2 looks better, feels more modern … If you’re a hardcore Smite player, you’ll appreciate the added strategy in item building, active items, interactable elements in the world, and much more.” To sum it up? “There’s no other game that gives you the thrill of both outplaying and outthinking your opponents in the same way as Smite 2 … Multiple paths to victory make the game rewarding, with more to learn after thousands of hours of play.”

Planning For PC

“The PC player base is massively important to Titan Forge Games,” Alex confirms. “If you’re developing a game that has esports ambitions, you have to deliver a solid PC version. Though we allow players to use either controller or keyboard and mouse in our esports pro scene, almost all of our top players are PC-first, KBM warriors. For new players, the game offers automatic item building and ability leveling, so you don’t need to learn these super complicated systems to start having fun. The simplified Arena game mode focuses on team-based combat and cuts down the strategy, so you can just start fighting and having fun in minutes.”

Immortality Awaits

OK, we can’t wait. When can we get our hands on it? “Smite 2 will enter 24/7 Alpha Testing on August 27,” Alex says. “The game will have 23 playable gods, two modes (the traditional three-lane MOBA mode of Conquest, and our Team Deathmatch-style Arena mode), ranked, player progression, and a lot more.” And you, the player, have a vital role to play. “The biggest difference between Titan Forge Games and many other studios is the way we approach game development,” Alex notes. “A lot of game developers like to lock themselves in a closet for years, and hope that something great emerges. Sometimes it does. Our philosophy is very different. We think the best games are made in close collaboration with a community. And that’s not lip service—we mean it.”

You heard it, gamers; it’s time to take your place among the gods. “Every piece of player feedback helps us make the game better,” Alex affirms. “By the time Smite 2 goes free-to-play, we know the studio will have a game that everyone loves, and can’t stop playing.”

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