Boundary
A zero-gravity FPS that fell to a developer-publisher dispute.
Boundary was a multiplayer first-person shooter set in outer space, developed by Studio Surgical Scalpels. In the Greater China region it was published by Huya, while internationally it was handled by Skystone Games. The game entered early access on April 13, 2023, and was shut down in 2024 after a dispute between the developer and publisher.
In gameplay, Boundary featured 5v5 battles among floating debris and wrecked space stations. It included standard modes like Team Deathmatch and Domination, and allowed players full freedom of movement.
The game was first shown to the press as Project Boundary during a PlayStation China press conference in July 2016, one day before ChinaJoy. It was announced for PlayStation 4 as part of Sony’s China Hero Project, a program supporting China-based developers. At ChinaJoy 2018, Sony Interactive Entertainment Shanghai released a trailer stating a 2019 release. In 2019, Studio Surgical Scalpels announced the title would be simply Boundary and would have a worldwide release, also expressing interest in Xbox One and PC versions. Later that year at Gamescom, Huya was announced as the publisher, the release was delayed to 2020, and a PC version was confirmed. In September 2020, the developer released a trailer celebrating completed development. In early 2021, Skystone Games—founded by Blizzard North co-founder David Brevik—took over global publishing outside Greater China, with Huya retaining that region. The release was pushed to summer 2021. The game finally launched in early access on Windows on April 13, 2023, with the developer expecting a full launch within six months to a year. It sold over 100,000 copies within 24 hours. In June 2024, Skystone Games announced it would give up publishing rights at the end of the month, citing ongoing delays and lack of updates from the developer. Studio Surgical Scalpels called the decision "extremely sudden and unreasonable," stating it was trying to regain operational rights and had not received its deserved income from Skystone. As of January 2026, the game remains unavailable for purchase.
Tyler Wilde of PC Gamer doubted Boundary would become the next big FPS sensation but gave largely positive impressions. Less than two weeks after launch, the game held a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam.
- Developer
- Studio Surgical Scalpels
- Publisher greater china
- Huya
- Publisher international
- Skystone Games
- Early access release date
- April 13, 2023
- Platform
- Windows
- Sales within 24 hours
- over 100 thousand copies
- Steam rating shortly after launch
- Mostly Positive
Lore & Background
Boundary was first presented to the press as Project Boundary during the PlayStation China press conference in July 2016, one day before ChinaJoy. It was announced for the PlayStation 4 as part of Sony’s China Hero Project. At ChinaJoy 2018, a new trailer stated the game would release in 2019. In 2019, the developer announced the title would be simply Boundary and that it would get a worldwide release, also showing interest in potential Xbox One and PC versions. Later that year at Gamescom, Huya was announced as publisher, the release was delayed to 2020, and the game would also release for PC.
In September 2020, a trailer celebrated completed development. In early 2021, Skystone Games, a new publisher founded by Blizzard North co-founder David Brevik, took over global release except for Greater China, which remained with Huya; the release date was pushed back to summer of the same year. On April 13, 2023, the game launched as an early access title for Windows, with the developer anticipating a full launch within six months to a year. Within 24 hours the game sold over 100 thousand copies.
In June 2024, Skystone Games announced it would relinquish publishing rights at the end of the month, citing ongoing delays and lack of updates from the developer. Studio Surgical Scalpels called the decision 'extremely sudden and unreasonable,' stating it was 'trying to regain the rights related to the operation of Boundary' and that 'so far, the studio has not been able to recover the income it deserves from Skystone.' As of January 2026, the game is still unavailable for purchase.
Reader's Guide
Boundary's significance lies in its ambitious concept—a multiplayer first-person shooter set in outer space with 5v5 battles amidst floating debris and demolished space stations, offering complete freedom of movement. It featured classic modes like Team Deathmatch and Domination. However, its legacy is defined by a troubled development and release cycle. Originally announced in 2016 as a PlayStation 4 title under Sony's China Hero Project, it underwent multiple delays and platform expansions before finally launching in early access on Windows in April 2023. Despite selling over 100,000 copies in its first day and earning a 'Mostly Positive' rating on Steam, the game was shut down in 2024 after a public dispute between developer Studio Surgical Scalpels and international publisher Skystone Games. The publisher cited delays and lack of updates; the developer called the decision unreasonable and claimed it had not received its due income. As of January 2026, the game remains unavailable for purchase, making it a cautionary tale about the fragility of indie publishing partnerships.
Did You Know?
- The game sold over 100,000 copies within 24 hours of its early access launch.
- Skystone Games, the international publisher, was founded by Blizzard North co-founder David Brevik.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boundary?
Boundary is a zero-gravity multiplayer first-person shooter set in outer space, where players clash in 5v5 matches across floating debris and the wreckage of abandoned space stations. It was built by Studio Surgical Scalpel and released exclusively for Windows.
Who published Boundary in different regions?
Huya handled publishing in the Greater China market, while Skystone Games took on the role for international audiences. The title was first shown to press under the working name Project B before its public reveal.
When did Boundary enter early access, and how was its reception?
Early access opened on April 13, 2023, and the game moved more than 100,000 copies within the first 24 hours. That initial sales spike made it one of the most talked-about new shooters of that year.
What modes and movement options did Boundary offer?
Players could jump into standard competitive formats such as Team Deathmatch and Domination, all played in a weightless environment. The movement system granted full three-dimensional freedom, letting players drift, spin, and reposition in ways a ground-based FPS simply wouldn't allow.
Why was Boundary shut down?
The title was taken offline in 2024 after a dispute between Studio Surgical Scalpel and its publishing partners. The falling-out effectively ended the game's lifecycle, leaving its early-access community without a live server to play on.
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