Surviv.io was a browser-basedmultiplayer 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 battled against other players on a large map from a top-down perspective,[3] scavenging for supplies and weapons.[4] The game also supported two or four player team modes,[4] and could be played on mobile browsers as well.[5]
In December 2019, Surviv.io was acquired by online gaming website Kongregate.[6]
In September 2020, Surviv.io was released on Steam.[7]
Kongregate sunset Surviv.io on March 2, 2023, and named Bit Heroes Arena as its successor.[8]
Players, also called "Survivrs", were 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" lost health every second, and the amount of health lost per second increased as the game progresses.[4] Players started with only their fists, while extra gear was found in breakable crates and objects located across the map, and in houses and other buildings.[1][4][9][10] Each game featured a randomly generated map, with the locations of buildings and loot being randomized each time. Players dropped all their items upon death, and the last player alive won the match.
The game had a rotation of limited time modes with special gameplay modes that offer exclusive weapons and items.[11]
Weapons in Surviv.io ranged 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 required additional ammunition, which is found separately.[9] Scopes gave 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 protected the player and vary in protection level.[4][12] Players healed using consumable healing items.
Surviv.io was developed by Justin Kim and Nick Clark.[13][14] 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.[13]
In December 2019, Surviv.io was acquired by online gaming website Kongregate, with the company taking over development of the game.[15][6] 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."[16]
In 2020, Kim and Clark announced they would be taking a break and the development would be fully passed on to Kongregate.
On February 13, 2023, Kongregate announced that Surviv.io would be sunset; this occurred less than a month later.[8]
