{{Short description|Battle Royale video game}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox video game | title = Super Animal Royale - A 2D Multiplayer Battle Royale Experience | image = Super Animal Royale.png | caption = | developer = Pixile Studios | publisher = Pixile Studios | engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] | platforms = {{ubl|[[macOS]]|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]|[[Google Stadia]]}} | released = '''macOS, Windows, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S'''<br/>August 26, 2021<ref name=Release>{{cite web |url=https://modusgames.com/news/super-animal-royale-v1-0-has-arrived-on-all-major-consoles/ |title=Super Animal Royale v1.0 Has Arrived On All Major Consoles |website=Modus Games |date=August 26, 2021 |accessdate=August 26, 2021 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827032726/https://modusgames.com/news/super-animal-royale-v1-0-has-arrived-on-all-major-consoles/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>'''Stadia'''<br/>December 14, 2021 | genre = [[Battle royale game|Battle royale]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] | director = | producer = | designer = Michael Silverwood<br>Chris Clogg | artist = | programmer = | composer = Jake Butineau }}
'''''Super Animal Royale''''' is an [[independent video game|indie]] [[battle royale game|battle royale video game]] developed and published by Pixile Studios. The game features 64-player matches starring [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] animals who use a variety of weapons and firearms from a 2D overhead perspective and was built using the [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] game engine. An early version debuted on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] Early Access on December 12, 2018, with a free-to-play demo version released the following month in January 2019. An Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S version appeared on [[Xbox Game Pass]] in game preview on June 1, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Capel |first1=Chris |title=Super Animal Royale's crossplay support is backwards |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/683586-super-animal-royale-crossplay-matchmaking-friends-xbox-pc |access-date=June 7, 2021 |work=GameRevolution |publisher=GameRevolution |date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607210449/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/683586-super-animal-royale-crossplay-matchmaking-friends-xbox-pc |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The game left [[early access]] on Steam and was released for [[macOS]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] on August 26, 2021, and for [[Google Stadia]] on December 14, 2021.<ref name=Release/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schoon |first=Ben |date=2021-12-10 |title=Stadia Changelog: Super Animal Royale finally gets a release date, PUBG is going free-to-play |url=https://9to5google.com/2021/12/10/super-animal-royale-stadia-release-date/ |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=[[9to5Google]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810083059/https://9to5google.com/2021/12/10/super-animal-royale-stadia-release-date/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Gameplay== ''Super Animal Royale'' (or SAR for short) is a 2D, top-down, third-person [[battle royale game|battle royale]] shooter. The game currently consists of up to 5 different game modes including "Solo", "Duos", "Squads", "SAR vs. Rebellion", and "The Bwoking Dead". Up to 64 players compete to be the last person standing, using a variety of weapons. When joining, players are placed in the lobby, whereupon they have to wait until the match starts. At the start of the match players are riding the Giant Eagle (excluding the "Bwoking Dead"), and can eject, using an umbrella to fly to a spot on the map. The map has various biomes and locations, such as Pete's Swamp, Superite Mountain, and the Super Penguin Palace. Players create a character from one of several "Super Animals", [[Anthropomorphic animal|anthropomorphic animals]] of different species and subspecies, some fictional. Species and subspecies are unlocked by collecting animal [[DNA]], and super serum awarded after each match. Other post-match awards include Carl Coins, EXP, and various cosmetics. Experience points are granted based on the player's performance at the end of each game, which allows them to level up, and they can use post-match rewards to unlock new species and cosmetic items. There are various cosmetic items, such as sunglasses, hats, different melee weapons, and outfits. Some can be unlocked by reaching certain milestones (such as ties for kills-based milestones and bow ties for matches played.)
After joining a lobby, players mingle in a non-combat area until the match begins, with non-player [[Robot|bots]] joining the queue if less than 64 human players are present fifteen seconds before the start of the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gamernationnews.com/super-animal-royale-shaking-up-the-food-chain/ |title=Super Animal Royale: Shaking Up The Food Chain |date=December 13, 2018 |access-date=January 16, 2018 |publisher=Gamer Nation |author=VettevAiper5 |archive-date=October 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025145202/http://gamernationnews.com/super-animal-royale-shaking-up-the-food-chain/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a recent interview, developers Michael Silverwood and Ruben Grijalva in fact, promised that the upcoming new additions will focus on making this hub a place to socialize where players can be there as long as they like.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Limbaugh |first=Shane |date=2025-12-08 |title=Interview with Pixile Studios On A Super Addition to Super Animal Royale |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/interview-with-pixile-studios-on-a-super-addition-to-their-super-game/ |access-date=2025-12-09 |website=DualShockers |language=en}}</ref> Each combatant parachutes from a large eagle onto a battlefield (Super Animal World) containing weapons, protective armor, and Health Juice which can be stocked to restore health when needed. Initially wielding a [[katana]] or another equipped melee weapon, players can find automatic and semi-automatic guns and ammunition along with [[grenade]]s and other throwable items used to defeat other players. [[Hamster ball]]s can also be entered for protection, faster transport, and as a method for running over opponents, dealing damage.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cute-animals-murder-each-other-adorably-in-this-battle-royale-game/ |title=Cute animals murder each other adorably in this battle royale game |last=Livingston |first=Christopher |date=2018-09-24 |magazine=PC Gamer |language=en-US |access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref> Super skunk gas will creep in from the outer edges of the map as the match progresses, forcing players into progressively smaller areas until the end of the game. Each game can be joined solo, as a duo, or as a squad. Super Animal Royale features "seasons" which are mainly drops of new weapons, Super Animal species, and cosmetics. Each Season also features a season package (paid) which grants SAW tickets (a paid currency) and various cosmetics. There is also a season pass, paid for in SAW tickets, which, as you play matches, lets you unlock various cosmetics.
'''Past Seasons'''
The current season is Season 13, known as the ''Bright Future'', and the season pass is free to everyone. This followed Season 11's By Popular Request Pass and Season 10's Dragon Loot Pass. Season 9 was known as the Party Animal Update and came after the Season 8 the Sea Leg's Pass and Season 7's Super Healthy Pass.
==Development== ''Super Animal Royale'' began development in October 2017 by members of Pixile Studios. The game was inspired by similar shooter games such as ''[[H1Z1]]'' and ''[[PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds]]'',<ref name=Wireframe>{{cite web |url=https://wireframe.raspberrypi.org/features/super-animal-royal-preview-its-pubg-meets-furry-critters |title=Super Animal Royal preview: it's PUBG meets furry critters |publisher=Wireframe |author=Lambie, Ryan |date=December 2018 |access-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117174210/https://wireframe.raspberrypi.org/features/super-animal-royal-preview-its-pubg-meets-furry-critters |url-status=live }}</ref> with its 2D aesthetic taken from "classic top-down [[adventure game]]s" such as ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mmoculture.com/2018/12/super-animal-royale-battle-royale-with-cuddly-animals-and-guns-enters-steam-early-access/ |title=Super Animal Royale – Battle royale with cuddly animals and guns enters Steam Early Access |author=cinderboy |date=December 13, 2018 |publisher=MMO Culture |access-date=January 16, 2018 |archive-date=July 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716150403/https://mmoculture.com/2018/12/super-animal-royale-battle-royale-with-cuddly-animals-and-guns-enters-steam-early-access/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lead designer Michael Silverwood and lead developer Chris Clogg built the game in [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]], and created the line-of-sight mechanic of hiding players in object's shadows by modifying an existing Unity plugin to aid with performance.<ref name=Wireframe/> Silverwood stated that his decision to have the game feature cartoon animals was that he liked the absurd humor of juxtaposing whimsical, colorful characters with surprisingly angry and violent personalities.<ref name=Wireframe/>
Sign-ups for the [[software development life cycle|alpha]] version began in March 2018, where players could register on the title's official website.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alphabetagamer.com/super-animal-royale-alpha-sign-up/ |title=Super Animal Royale – Alpha Sign Up |publisher=Alpha Beta Gamer |author=Fraser, Calum |access-date=January 16, 2019 |date=March 24, 2018 |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713190230/https://www.alphabetagamer.com/super-animal-royale-alpha-sign-up/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A later version of the title was released on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] Early Access on December 12, 2018, which launched with a "Free Weekend" promotion for the following four days.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-cuddly-yet-violent-super-animal-royale-is-free-to-play-for-the-next-few-days/ |title=The cuddly yet violent Super Animal Royale is free to play for the next few days |publisher=[[PC Gamer]] |date=December 12, 2018 |access-date=January 16, 2018 |author=Livingston, Christopher |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322163437/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-cuddly-yet-violent-super-animal-royale-is-free-to-play-for-the-next-few-days/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 3, 2019, a permanent free-to-play demo version was released which allows players to transfer their progress and unlocked content to the full, paid version of the game when purchased.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/super-animal-royale-demo-lets-you-play-free-for-as-long-as-you-like/ |publisher=[[PC Gamer]] |date=January 3, 2019 |access-date=January 16, 2019 |author=Livingston, Christopher |title=Super Animal Royale demo lets you play free for as long as you like |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225061239/https://www.pcgamer.com/super-animal-royale-demo-lets-you-play-free-for-as-long-as-you-like/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On May 8, 2024, Michael Silverwood announced Super Animal Royale would be going independent, no longer having [[Modus Games]] as the game's publisher, with Pixile Studios [[self-publishing]] Super Animal Royale on all platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silverwood |first=Michael |date=2024-05-08 |title=Big News for Super Animal Royale and Pixile |url=https://medium.com/@michael_one/big-news-for-super-animal-royale-pixile-b8e66c729dad |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>
After the game was released on all platforms, Pixile Studios released a teaser for Super Animal World, an expansion to the game that is more chill than the typical battle royale game that players are used to.
As of now, the "Super Animal World expansion" has been added to the game since December 9, 2025. This free expansion added a social hub, fishing, bug catching, Hamsterball racing, and 350+ new quests to the game.<ref>https://wiki.animalroyale.com/wiki/Super_Animal_World_Expansion</ref>
== Reception == {{Expand section|date=January 2022}} As of May 2022, ''Super Animal Royale'' has 30,000 reviews on Steam, with 92% of the reviews being positive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Animal Royale on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/843380/Super_Animal_Royale/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502114722/https://store.steampowered.com/app/843380/Super_Animal_Royale/ |archive-date=2022-05-02 |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref> {{Video game reviews | NLife = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Animal Royale Review (Switch eShop) {{!}} Aces high |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/super_animal_royale |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=31 August 2021 |access-date=21 September 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921220229/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/super_animal_royale |url-status=live }}</ref> }}
==References== {{reflist|30m}}
==External links== * [https://animalroyale.com/ Official website] * [https://pixilestudios.com/ Developer website]
[[Category:2021 video games]] [[Category:Battle royale games]] [[Category:Early access video games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Stadia games]] [[Category:Third-person shooters]] [[Category:Video games about animals]] [[Category:Video games developed in Canada]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:Modus Games games]]