Square Enix has announced that its vibrant 4v4 online party shooter, Foamstars, will debut next month, on February 6. This PlayStation exclusive will be available as a day-one title through the PlayStation Plus subscription service, allowing users to download it at no cost for both PS5 and PS4. Players will have access to the game from February 6 until March 4 as part of the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup.
Foamstars, which draws inspiration from Nintendo’s popular Splatoon franchise, was first unveiled during a PlayStation Showcase last May. The game features colorful characters and engaging gameplay, which is expected to attract a significant number of players when it launches on PS Plus.
According to a blog post from Square Enix, PlayStation Plus subscribers will have the opportunity to redeem and play Foamstars without any additional charges. Once the game is redeemed, it can be played indefinitely as long as the subscription is maintained. After the PlayStation Plus promotional period concludes, Foamstars will be available for purchase on the PlayStation Store at a price of $29.99 (approximately Rs. 2,494) starting March 5. It is important to note that a PlayStation Plus subscription is necessary to access online multiplayer features.
In a recent announcement, Square Enix confirmed that Foamstars will incorporate some AI-generated artwork. Producer Kosuke Okatani shared insights with VGC, revealing that the development team utilized Midjourney, a well-known AI-driven image generation tool, to create certain in-game art elements. Specifically, AI assisted in crafting the album covers for the game’s soundtrack, a move the publisher believes showcases their interest in leveraging new technologies in game development.
Despite the inclusion of AI art, Okatani emphasized that the core gameplay and majority of the game’s content were meticulously crafted by the development team, with AI-generated components accounting for only “0.01 percent or even less.” This approach follows a recent New Year’s address from Square Enix president Takashi Kiryu, who asserted that AI holds the potential to transform video game creation. The letter highlighted the company’s intent to harness AI and advanced technologies in both content development and publishing.
Foamstars will feature a variety of player-versus-player (PvP) modes, including Smash the Star, Happy Bath Survival, and the newly introduced Rubber Duck Party. In Smash the Star, teams compete to eliminate opponents and attack the opposing team’s Star Player, with the first team to defeat their rival’s Star Player securing an immediate victory. Happy Bath Survival involves two teams, one battling inside the arena while the other offers support from outside. Meanwhile, Rubber Duck Party challenges players to gain control of a rubber duck situated at center stage, with the objective of guiding it toward the enemy’s goal.
For a narrative experience, Foamstars includes a single-player Player versus Environment (PvE) mode called Missions. This mode supports both solo and four-player cooperative gameplay, allowing players to explore character abilities and take on waves of enemies.
Additionally, Square Enix has confirmed that Foamstars will receive free themed seasonal updates within its first year. These updates will introduce new cosmetic items, playable characters, maps, and game modes. Players can also opt for a Premium Season Pass priced at $5.99 (around Rs. 498) with each new season.
Foamstars is set to launch as a PlayStation Plus title on February 6, becoming available on both PS4 and PS5 platforms.
