Summary
- A PlayStation studio, not Bungie, is now developing the mysterious MOBA, codenamed Gummy Bears.
- Unlike typical MOBAs, Gummy Bears reportedly uses a percentage-based damage system, similar to Super Smash Bros., affecting knockback instead of directly reducing health.
- In development since at least 2020, Gummy Bears is still years from release and aims for a younger audience than Bungie's previous titles.
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 aspects of this enigmatic project.
Initial reports of Gummy Bears surfaced in August 2023, describing it as a MOBA under development at Bungie. Following Bungie's 2024 announcement of layoffs and staff integration into Sony Interactive Entertainment, a new PlayStation studio has reportedly taken over Gummy Bears' development. This new studio, comprised of approximately 40 former Bungie employees, is believed to be responsible for the game's continued progress. While a release date remains distant, details about the game's current development phase are scarce. However, the MOBA's unique mechanics are beginning to emerge.
Gummy Bears Reportedly Ditches Health Bars, Embracing a Smash Bros.-Style System
Instead of health bars, Gummy Bears reportedly employs a percentage-based damage system. This system determines knockback distance, with higher percentages leading to characters being knocked off the map—a mechanic strikingly similar to Super Smash Bros.
The game will feature the standard MOBA character classes: Attack, Defense, and Support. Multiple game modes are planned, along with a described aesthetic that's cozy, vibrant, and "lo-fi"—a departure from Bungie's previous work. This stylistic shift is reportedly intentional, aiming to attract a younger demographic and differentiate Gummy Bears from Bungie's established titles.
Including its time at Bungie, Gummy Bears has been in development since at least 2020. The shift in developers aligns with PlayStation's recent establishment of a new Los Angeles studio, suggesting this studio is the one currently working on Gummy Bears.
