Serious Sam is turning 25 this year, and instead of just blowing out some candles, Devolver Digital is blowing up the multiverse. Announced during the latest Xbox Partner Preview, Serious Sam: Shatterverse is a bold new direction for the legendary “boomer shooter” franchise.

In a surprising twist, the game isn’t being helmed by series creators Croteam. Instead, development duties have been handed to Behaviour Interactive, the powerhouse studio behind the asymmetric horror hit Dead by Daylight.

A Sam for Every Timeline

The premise is pure, unadulterated Serious Sam ridiculousness. The series’ perennial big-bad, Mental, has used “dimensional machinations” to fracture the walls of reality. This has created the Shatterverse, a collapsed world where various versions of Sam Stone from across infinite dimensions have been pulled together.

For the first time in the series, up to five players can team up in co-operative play. You won’t just be playing as generic soldiers; you’ll be stepping into the boots of different Sams from across the multiverse to hunt down Mental’s five nefarious lieutenants and repair reality.

Roguelite Meets Run-and-Gun

While the core DNA remains high-adrenaline, arena-based chaos, Shatterverse introduces a modern roguelite structure. Here is what players can expect from the gameplay loop:

Shifting Universes: Procedurally shifted runs across hand-crafted arenas mean no two attempts to save the multiverse will feel the same.

The Serious Arsenal: Expect a “frankly irresponsible” amount of firepower. The game mixes classic staples like the Double Shotgun and XL2 Laser with experimental “Shatter-tech” weaponry.

Boons and Modifiers: Players can stack wild buffs and run modifiers to bend the rules of combat, creating high-risk, high-reward opportunities that can supercharge a run—or end it instantly.

Permanent Progression: In true roguelite fashion, death isn’t the end. You’ll unlock upgrades that permanently expand your strategic possibilities for future runs.

A “Serious” Stamp of Approval

Despite the change in developer, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Croteam has given the project its full blessing. Davor Hunski, co-creator of Serious Sam, expressed his excitement:

“It’s very exciting to see another talented team step in and create something bold, fresh and different within the universe we cherished for so long. I can’t wait for both the old and new fans to experience this new interpretation of the series!”

Behaviour Interactive’s Nic Duchesne echoed this sentiment, stating the goal was to “respect Serious Sam’s rich legacy while presenting it in a fresh, contemporary way.”

Coming Later This Year

Serious Sam: Shatterverse is slated for release in 2026 (targeting the 25th-anniversary window of The First Encounter). It will be available on:

PC (Steam)

PlayStation 5

Xbox Series X|S (including Xbox Cloud Gaming)

Whether you’re a veteran of the 2001 classic or a newcomer looking for some chaotic co-op action, the Shatterverse is looking like the place to be.

Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/ETlOh

#DevolverDigital #SeriousSamShatterverse #FPS #DeadByDaylight #BehaviourInteractive #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcadegames