Scramble Knights Online Drops Battle Royale for Co-Op PvE, Early Access Set for Fall 2026
The developer's decision to abandon the battle royale format in favor of a co-op PvE adventure, based on player feedback and the practical challenges of sustaining a battle royale as an indie studio, represents a significant pivot that redefines the project's identity.
Reporting from 1 sources: Game Spark.
Funktronic Labs has announced 'Scramble Knights Online,' a major genre shift from the previously planned battle royale 'Scramble Knights Royale.' The game is now a co-op PvE-focused adventure RPG, with early access planned for fall 2026 on Steam. The change was based on feedback from 25,000 playtesters and internal discussions.
Funktronic Labs, the indie studio behind 'The Light Brigade' and 'Fujii - Magical Gardening Adventure,' has revealed 'Scramble Knights Online,' a multiplayer adventure RPG that replaces the battle royale format originally announced in December 2025. The developer cited feedback from 25,000 participants in the battle royale playtest, along with Discord discussions and internal testing, as the reason for the shift. The team realized that securing the concurrent player count needed for a battle royale was nearly impossible for an indie studio, and that test players enjoyed the game's visuals and mechanics regardless of the battle royale aspect. The new game is set in the kingdom of Terracotta, where players explore a vast archipelago, undertake quests, raid dungeons, and hunt monsters. It includes a hub called Town Square, crafting for weapons and armor, and is designed to be enjoyable solo. PvP elements such as invasions and faction wars remain but are undecided. Early access is planned for fall 2026 on Steam, with Japanese support, priced between $15 and $20. A new playtest is scheduled for summer 2025.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.