Arknights: Endfield Interview: Shattered Protocol & Steam

Gryphline Confirms Shattered Protocol, Steam Launch, and Platform Talks

Arknights: Endfield has arrived on Steam, and Gryphline co-founder and lead designer Ryan Fan sat down with RPG Site to discuss the launch, the game's design philosophy, and what's next. For ongoing coverage, see our arknights-endfield news hub.

The interview covers a lot of ground: a confirmed replayable mode, ongoing PS5 Pro optimization, and the status of Switch 2 and Xbox versions. Here's what matters for players.

Shattered Protocol: A Replayable Mode Is in Development

The most concrete reveal is Shattered Protocol, a highly replayable mode built specifically for Endfield. Fan confirmed the team is actively developing it, citing Arknights' Integrated Strategies as a learning experience for long-term mode design.

• Shattered Protocol will build on Endfield's real-time 3D squad combat.
• No release window was given. Fan said the team is "hard at work refining it" and hopes to bring it to players "as soon as we can."
• This addresses one of the community's most frequent requests, according to Fan.

Combat and Bosses

Future content will expand how characters and enemies interact, with new combat keywords and mechanics. Boss battles will keep high production values, with exploration of different sizes, shapes, and interaction styles.

Steam Launch and Platform Support

Endfield's Steam release was always part of the plan, though global multiplatform coordination took longer than expected. Fan confirmed the team focused on refining the PC experience first.

• Most core systems have been adapted for Steam Deck and Steam Machine, with platform-specific performance optimization.
• Support will continue to be refined across the Steam ecosystem.

Switch 2 and Xbox: Under Evaluation

Fan stated that both Switch 2 and Xbox are "under evaluation." The operations team is actively exploring additional platforms, with plans depending on team capacity and business discussions.

Unconfirmed — subject to change: No release dates, hardware specs, or cross-save details for these platforms were announced.

PS5 Pro and Performance Work

Enhanced PS5 Pro support with PSSR upscaling arrived in July. Fan outlined two ongoing optimization priorities:

• Performance: Engine-level changes are underway to address performance decline as content and visual effects have grown. The scale of the work means it will take time.
• Loading times: Asset organization currently limits PS5's fast-loading capabilities. The team plans to restructure the asset system across all platforms before PS5-specific loading optimization. Early tests are described as "very promising."

Base Building and Factory Automation

Fan framed the factory systems as an alternative to repetitive grinding: build production lines, and resources keep flowing. The team is doubling down on management simulation rather than simplifying it away.

Recent improvements include better building controls, placement rules, and onboarding. In Sanctuary of Ink, facility access and placement are easier, and new facilities can automate crop work.

The next update will add mechanics to rebuild parts of the map, extra construction space, and no new components, so factory requirements won't block character progression. A new region will bring fresh management sim gameplay.

Input Challenges by Platform

• PC: Mouse and keyboard allow shortcuts for rotating, deleting, and copying, though shortcut overload is a risk.
• Mobile: Limited screen space, finger occlusion, and precision issues required built-in automation and smart assistance.
• Console: Fewer buttons demand a layered control scheme, trading speed for step count.

What to Watch

No dates were attached to Shattered Protocol, the next region, or the map-rebuild mechanics. Treat platform announcements for Switch 2 and Xbox as evaluations, not commitments. For more on Endfield's systems and updates, keep an eye on our arknights-endfield guides.

Source: RPG Site interview with Ryan Fan.