In a surprising turn of events, Hi-Rez has officially unveiled Smite 2, the highly anticipated sequel to its critically acclaimed action MOBA released in 2014. The upcoming game is set to launch on PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
According to the official announcement, Smite 2 is built on the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5, boasting a revamped user interface and spell effects designed for enhanced clarity. Notably, the game will see a comprehensive overhaul of items, maps, and the abilities of each god, potentially requiring players to undergo a relearning process from the ground up. Additionally, Hi-Rez introduces two distinct power classes, Strength and Intelligence, to further differentiate each god’s abilities.
While Hi-Rez currently plans to launch with a smaller roster of 50 gods, they intend to incrementally expand this collection on a weekly basis. Considering the 129 gods featured in the original game, reaching a comparable number in Smite 2 appears to be a gradual process.
Notably, there is no assurance that all gods from the first installment will be ported to the sequel, as the development team acknowledges the substantial time and resources required for such an undertaking. However, to honor the loyalty of Smite fans, Hi-Rez introduces Legacy Gems currency, allowing players to spend the equivalent amount in Smite 2 as they did in Smite 1.
Beyond the in-game transformations, Hi-Rez is set to implement alterations to the Smite esports landscape to ensure a seamless transition for professionals upon the sequel’s release. Smite 2’s executive producer, Alex Cantatore, has confirmed an alpha playtest session this spring, accompanied by a competitive event held both online and on LAN.
The forthcoming release of Smite 2 is poised to invigorate the MOBA community, addressing its desire for innovation within the genre. Although it currently trails behind the likes of League of Legends and Dota 2 in popularity, this third-person MOBA boasts a dedicated community and player base, with a consistent 5.5 million active players per month recorded last year, predominantly on PC.
