An Experimental Game Mode Slot
Coming to Predecessor in Patch 1.6, Labs is our new hub for experimental game modes. These modes will rotate periodically, keeping things fresh and allowing us to road-test new ideas with you before committing to the significant work required for more permanent modes or changes to the main game.
How will it work?
In Patch 1.6, Labs will replace Brawl, with Brawl returning later as part of the Labs rotation.
Our plan is to iterate on modes that players enjoy, bringing them back with tweaks and changes over time based on your feedback.
Why are we making this change?
We think that in its current state, Brawl is played primarily because it's the only option for a quicker, lower-commitment alternative to Standard, rather than standing out for its own unique appeal. In truth, we've seen much lower player engagement for Brawl than we'd hoped. More importantly, Brawl seems to have a neutral to negative impact on how well we retain new players, and those who spend time in Brawl rarely make the leap to Standard.
We have some great ideas on how to fix this, but we believe that Brawl needs significant work to get it where we want it to be. For the immediate future, we're prioritising that development time on other exciting new ideas instead.
Will Labs modes be fully-fledged game modes?
Yes! However, they might be a bit rougher around the edges than Standard, as we'll be prioritising fun and experimentation over polish for these modes. Labs game modes are designed to be experimental; sometimes they'll be slightly tweaked versions of existing modes, and sometimes they'll be completely alien and new. We might test out new maps or use familiar maps. It's our way to bring you further into the development process than ever before and show you some of the fun things our team is cooking up!
Game Mode #1 | Predecessor NITRO
Available in Patch 1.6 |
Accelerate the action with Predecessor NITRO!
NITRO is the first experimental game mode coming to Predecessor Labs, designed to pack everything you love about Predecessor into a high-octane match that lasts around 20 minutes. It delivers all the signature MOBA depth you love - including laning, objectives, team fights, and strategy - but in shorter, more action-packed matches. This means you can fit more games into your play sessions, easily jump into a quick match when time is short, or try out new heroes, roles or builds in a quick, lower stakes environment.
New to Predecessor? NITRO is the perfect place to start!
What are the goals for NITRO?
NITRO was built with the aim of delivering everything that makes a MOBA special in consistently shorter match times. Everything you love about Predecessor, on the same map and with the same mechanics, but distilled to it's purest form. Perfect for new players - there has never been a better opportunity to bring your friends in to Predecessor!
We've done a lot of research, ranging from surveys to focus groups to in-depth and in-person player studies, and we believe that match length is a considerable barrier for many new players, or for experienced players with more limited time.
It’s also ideal for testing out new builds! Curious how a new Hero plays? Keen to try out a new combination of Augments? Fit more testing, more creativity and more experimentation into a single sitting and give yourself an edge on the battlefield!
Get ready to dive in when NITRO rolls out in Patch 1.6 and let us know what you think!
Game Mode #2 | Predecessor LEGACY
Available in Patch 1.7 |
Celebrate our journey with Predecessor LEGACY!
Next up in 1.7 we’ll be rotating in the Agora map, allowing players to relive Paragon’s glory days, but with all the upgrades and technical improvements from Predecessor as it is today.
After that, in 1.8, we’ll be focused on changes to our main map, which we cannot wait to tell you all about!
Other Game Modes
Available Soon |
BRAWL, NITRO, and LEGACY are just the beginning!
Our team has a variety of game modes they're exploring, from highly requested options to wild new experiments, and we can't wait to show you more!
What game modes would you like to see? Let us know over on Reddit or Discord!