Capcom considered turning the PS5 shooter Pragmata into a two-player experience. Still, the studio ultimately opted to have one player handle both protagonists at once, producer Naoto Oyama said at a media event in Japan. The choice preserves the game’s central gimmick, forcing players to multitask between action and simple hacking puzzles.
Pragmata pairs dual protagonists, Hugh and Diana, and ties combat to a puzzle-based “hack” system. Each time you aim at an enemy, you must complete a short puzzle to lower their defenses, a mechanic that naturally could support two people working together.
Automaton reported Capcom explored a two-player option, but Oyama said the team preferred to lean into the busy-ness and fun of a single player, simultaneously dealing with both the shooting and the puzzles. He explained the decision at the event with this line:
“We did consider the idea [of a two-player system], but our primary goal with Pragmata was to deliver a new kind of gameplay experience. We leaned fully into the ‘busy-ness’ and fun that comes from one player simultaneously dealing with both the action and the puzzles, and that led us to the game’s current form.”
Hands-on impressions have been positive. A recent demo at the Tokyo Game Show introduced the Shelter hub, where players upgrade characters and craft items, and suggested the pieces are starting to click together. Capcom’s decision keeps Pragmata focused on a single-player experience that requires you to be both a soldier and a puzzle solver. If you enjoy the idea of juggling two roles simultaneously, this will matter to you. Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X and Bluesky.
