Hyper Scape was a free-to-play first-person shooter battle royale game created by Ubisoft Montreal and released by Ubisoft for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The game was noted for how it worked with people who stream games online. This allowed viewers on Twitch to change how a match ended.

The open beta for Microsoft Windows was released on July 12, 2020. The game officially launched on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on August 11, 2020. Some people liked its graphics, map design, and differences from other games in the same genre. However, others criticized its unfair gunplay and game systems. The game did not meet player expectations, so Ubisoft announced plans to make major changes to its gameplay and systems. The game ended on April 28, 2022.

Gameplay

The main game mode is similar to other battle royale games, where up to 100 players are placed on a map that gradually becomes smaller over time. Players try to eliminate others to win. One difference in Hyper Scape is that instead of a shrinking circle, random parts of the map disappear as the game continues. When the last area closes, a crown appears. If a player holds the crown for 60 seconds, they win automatically. If only one player or team remains, the game ends.

During the game, players can find weapons and special abilities called "Hacks." These abilities include transforming into a giant ball to bounce or becoming invisible. Players can carry only two weapons and hacks at a time, but they can switch between items during a round.

In the squad game mode, if a player is killed, they become an "Echo." Echoes cannot attack enemies but can send signals to their team to warn them about dangers or important locations. When an enemy is killed, they drop a "revive point," which allows a team to bring back fallen teammates.

Throughout the match, the AI host can change the game world. This includes showing all enemies on the minimap, giving weapons unlimited ammo, or activating low-gravity mode. Viewers on Twitch can vote, and their choices help the AI decide which changes to use.

Like other battle royale games, Hyper Scape uses a battle pass system to reward players. Each season has a battle pass with 100 levels, each offering at least one reward. The technical test had a free battle pass with 10 levels, including two player skins at level 10. The open beta had a 30-level battle pass. Rewards include new champions, skins, weapons, and other items, none of which give players a competitive advantage. Some rewards require an Amazon Prime Gaming membership to claim.

To move up a level in the battle pass, players need 200 experience points. These points can be earned by completing daily and weekly challenges, playing well, or watching and interacting with Twitch streamers. Ubisoft says playing the game is the best way to gain experience. Players can earn up to 400 points—equivalent to two levels—each day, but there is no daily limit for playing the game itself.

Synopsis

The game happens in the year 2054 in a place called Neo Arcadia, which is part of a metaverse made by Prisma Dimensions. Players compete in a sport called Crown Rush. This setting is similar to The Oasis from the book Ready Player One.

In the years before the 2050s, the world becomes more difficult. Problems like climate disasters, large movements of people, and more jobs being taken by machines lead to a bigger gap between the richest 1% and the rest of the population. Prisma Dimensions, a large technology company, created the Hyper Scape. This is a virtual network that connects people worldwide for work, school, and fun.

But recently, strange and suspicious events have occurred. Some players have disappeared in the real world, and hackers have caused damage in the simulation. A few brave individuals must uncover the hidden secret in the simulation before it's too late.

Development

The game was created over two years with the idea of "Game as a spectacle." This idea formed because the developers saw that people watched games on live streaming services like Twitch almost as much as they played them. The director, Christophe Guyot, said the team was no longer only making games for players but also for viewers who watched online. The team aimed to unite streamers, players, and viewers into one experience.

Although Ubisoft had shared hints about the game, it was officially announced on July 2, 2020. On that day, many Twitch streamers began playing the game, and a trailer was released later. The Verge compared this announcement style to how Apex Legends and Valorant were introduced.

On January 27, 2022, Ubisoft announced that the game would close in 90 days, on April 27.

Reception

The game received "mixed or average reviews" from critics, as reported by the review website Metacritic. Its viewership followed a common pattern of high interest followed by a sharp decline, which often happens with games released by large studios. The game was among the most-watched on Twitch.tv during its beta testing phase, but viewership dropped to "very low levels just one day after its release" in August. In October 2020, Ubisoft announced that the game had not met the expectations of players and the company, and stated that they would make major changes to the game's gameplay and systems.