Scramble Knights Online: Changing Genres to Save a Game
Funktronic Labs transformed Scramble Knights Royale from a battle royale into an MMO-Lite co-op action RPG after player feedback highlighted frustration with PvP elements, launching it day one on Xbox Game Pass.
Scramble Knights Online launches as an action RPG "MMO-Lite" from Funktronic Labs, designed to evoke early online gaming camaraderie. Originally titled Scramble Knights Royale, it began as a battle royale with top-down combat, questing, and PvP. The team at Funktronic Labs prioritized player passion during development, but early playtests revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the PvP focus, prompting a pivot.
Players praised the world and exploration but consistently requested removal of battle royale mechanics. Feedback like "I’d play this if it wasn’t for the PvP" led the team to reconsider the game’s direction after three years of development. Despite initial hesitation, the studio committed to rebuilding the project around cooperative PvE gameplay centered on the tagline "Adventure With Friends."
The transformation involved scrapping the battle royale mode and rebuilding the kingdom of Terracott as an online world for knights-in-training. Developers introduced a Town Square hub, cooperative dungeons, and MMO progression systems including quests, crafting, and character advancement. Prototypes like the "MMO-Lite" version emphasized team-based missions and shared loot, resonating strongly with the team.
Scramble Knights Online is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and included with Xbox Game Pass. The game supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing cross-platform play across console, PC, and supported handhelds. The studio describes it as an action RPG blending nostalgic combat with modern MMO elements and social exploration.