Perhaps the most hyped game during the showcase is Moonshot Games’ Wildgate. A crew-based first-person shooter set in the far reaches of space. Wildgate combines action-packed emergent gameplay with explosive spaceship combat. They’re calling it a fresh take on the multiplayer genre but I’ll be honest, I’m skeptical. I think the gameplay trailer makes it look really cool, but we’ve all been burned before by multiplayer shooters, even good ones. I think one of the things sticking out to me about Wildgate might be that I think every other game on this list looks cool and novel. If Dreamhaven is consistently delivering on fun, novel, interesting experiences then it’s worth it to take the leap into a new multiplayer title like this. I think Morhaime has a good eye.
Wildgate players are called “Prospectors” and team up in small crews to venture into a hostile, unpredictable, and mysterious region of space. Players will work together to pilot their spacecraft, plunder wreckage, and discover forgotten loot. All along, they’ll be searching for the Artifact, and the win condition is successfully reaching the exit point with the artifact. Another win condition is to destroy all rival ships by whatever means necessary. Jason Chayes, studio head of Moonshot Games, had this to say about Wildgate:
Wildgate was designed for anyone that’s ever wanted to go on a daring space adventure alongside a fearless crew. Players are invited to work together and confront evolving cosmic threats – whether they’re mysterious hazards of the Reach – or presented by rival Prospectors. We’re counting on you to bring your best-laid plans… and hey, even if they don’t pan out for the win, we’ve found that some of our favorite experiences are the ones we least expect.
It’s interesting that they avoid words like PvP or PvPvE when describing the game. Likewise, while these ideas sound really fun, I’m concerned about the minutiae ruining the experience. Granted, that’s not my job, but I’d be remiss not to mention it. Gamers are a flighty bunch, and the idea of being on a team of four where one drops and matchmaking does little to drop someone competent in to replace them is a nightmare I feel like I’ve lived out dozens of times. That said, Mike Morhaime has some words about bringing players together:
Wildgate rewards cooperation and tactical mastery in a way that realizes Dreamhaven’s goal to bring players together and help them create lasting memories. Since every match of Wildgate plays differently, there’s tons for you and your friends to discover as you explore the Typhon Reach. Ship-vs-ship combat brings an element of chaos that makes for an especially fun time, and we’re looking forward to players experiencing it for themselves during the playtest.
Wildgate Key Features
- Epic Spaceship Battles Blast rivals with hi-tech cannons and gadgets, lure them into deadly traps, or even mess with their ship… as long as they don’t sabotage yours first. When your perfect plan goes out the airlock, there’s only one option… wing it!
- New Adventures, Every Match: Stay one step ahead as you and your crew navigate the Reach — a vast, procedurally-generated map that changes with every game. Just be sure to beat other Prospectors to the punch, or risk flying away empty-handed.
- Unique Prospectors: Choose from a variety of daring Prospectors, each with their own abilities and tools. Whether you’re a brave pilot or a clever trickster, there’s no wrong way to commit space crimes!
- Explore the Reach: The Reach is a dangerous, unpredictable place, filled with deadly hazards and treasure beyond your wildest dreams. Navigate through cosmic storms, battle space vermin, and plunder alien outposts for lost caches of loot.
- Outgun or Outrun: The Artifact is the most valuable object in the known universe. Be the first to find it, snatch it, and pass through the exit point, or destroy the ships of every other crew and be the last crew standing.
While there’s no official release date for Wildgate, Moonshot Games is aiming for a 2025 release date for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. If you’re interested and want to see how it plays, you can head over to the Wildgate website to sign up for the first community preview playtest taking place between April 10th – 14th, 2025.
