Surviv.io
Surviv.io is a browser based multiplayer online 2D battle royale game created by Justin Kim and Nick Clark. It was released in October 2017 on its website for desktop browsers,[1] and in October and November 2018 respectively for iOS and Android devices.[2] Similar to other titles in the battle royale genre, players battle against other players on a large map from a top-down perspective,[3] scavenging for supplies and weapons.[4] The game also supports two or four player team modes,[4] and can be played on mobile browsers as well.[5]
Surviv.io | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Developer(s) |
|
Platform(s) | |
Release |
|
Genre(s) | Battle royale |
Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
In December 2019, Surviv.io was acquired by online gaming website Kongregate. In September 2020, Surviv.io was released on Steam.[6]
Gameplay

Players, also called "Survivrs", are represented by circular figures on a 2D grid-like playing field, surrounded by a circular "red zone" that shrinks as the game progresses. Players in the “red zone” lose health every second, and the amount of health lost per second increases as the game progresses.[4] Players start with only their fists, while extra gear can be found in breakable crates and objects located across the map, and in houses and other buildings.[1][4][7][8] Each game features a randomly generated map, with the locations of buildings and loot being randomized each time. Upon death, players drop all their items. The last player alive wins.
The game has a rotation of limited time modes with special gameplay modes that offer exclusive weapons and items.[9]
Equipment
Weapons in Surviv.io range from close-quarter shotguns and SMGs to long range sniper and assault rifles. Melee weapons such as katanas and throwable grenades can also be found.[1] Most weapons require ammunition, which is found separately.[7] Scopes give players a wider view of their surroundings, which vary from 1x (the smallest field of vision) to 15x (the largest field of vision). Vests and helmets protect the player, and can be found in four levels, with level 1 providing the least protection and level 3 being the strongest that can be obtained in the normal mode; level 4 vests and helmets only exist in limited time modes.[4][10] Players heal using consumable healing items.
Development
Surviv.io is developed by Justin Kim and Nick Clark.[11][12] Kim stated that their design philosophy while developing the game was to allow the player to enter a game as fast as possible by minimizing the time in between matches.[11]
In December 2019, Surviv.io was acquired by online gaming website Kongregate, with the company taking over development of the game.[13] In a press release, the company stated they hoped to "invest in the game’s features, especially on mobile." Co-creator Justin Kim expressed that the team was "excited to have Kongregate's team create new features and expand the player experience over the years to come."[14]
In 2020, Nick and Justin announced they would be taking a break and the development would be fully passed on to Kongregate.
Reception
PC Gamer praised the game's fast paced gameplay and short matchmaking times,[4] calling it "one of the most enjoyable BR games out there."[3]
In May 2018, VG247 described the game as the "most popular battle royale title after Fortnite and PUBG".[11]
See also
References
- "Surviv.io: The Battle Royale of a New, Endless Era – Daily Game". www.dailygame.net. 2018-05-31. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
- "surviv.io – 2D Battle Royale – Android app on AppBrain". www.appbrain.com. 2018-11-08. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
- Livingston, Christopher (2018-04-13). "The battle royale games of 2018". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 2019-01-08. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
- Livingston, Christopher (2018-03-16). "The best battle royale game might be the free browser-based Surviv.io". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2018-03-27.
- Holmes, Mike (2018-04-18). "Last Game Standing: The Best of Battle Royale". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
- "Surviv.io - 2D Battle Royale on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- Grubb, Jeff (2018-04-23). "Surviv.io: Battle Royale is faster and more accessible than Fortnite". VentureBeat. Retrieved 2018-04-27.
- Asarch, Steven (2018-03-22). "Is Surviv.io, ZombsRoyal.io or Bruh.io better?". Newsweek. Retrieved 2018-03-27.
- "Surviv.io Changelog". surviv.io. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Cox, Matt (2018-01-10). "Surviv.io is a free, browser-based 2D Battlegrounds". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
- Burns, Ben (2018-05-25). "The battle royale bandwagon: where is the genre heading? - VG247". VG247. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
- Lim, Robbie (2018-10-26). "New Extension Experiences Launching at TwitchCon". Twitch. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
- Kerr, Chris. "Kongregate acquires mobile and browser battle royale shooter Surviv.io". www.gamasutra.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
- "Kongregate Acquires Popular Battle Royale Game 'Surviv.io'". Kongregate Developers. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2020-01-14.