For the first time in eight years, lacrosse fans are getting a new video game. Announced on Tuesday night, Lacrosse 26 is a next-gen lacrosse game coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
While details have been slim, aside from its platforms and the release date of April 24, Insider Gaming has learned exclusive details on the game’s development and what players can expect.
The game has been in development since 2020 and was built from the ground up in Unity.
“From the start, everything was built from scratch,” Crosse Studios founder Carlo Sunseri told me. “Early prototypes even used empty capsules on the field just to get the AI working.”
Lacrosse 26 was built to be more on the simulation side than arcade. The goal, he said, is to “mimic real lacrosse as closely as possible while keeping it fun for a video game.”
Sunseri said that the team worked with an “experimental motion-matching animation system”. They invested in a motion capture system to track stick rotation for the first time, and also built out features like ball physics, lighting, replay, and more.
Going back to the motion-matching system, Lacrosse 26 features over 200 animations just for player movement. That’s on top of the hundreds of animations for catching, goalie saves, passing, groundballs, and shooting. Compared to games from the past that he’s made, Sunseri says that everything feels “grounded.”
“The biggest difference is how grounded everything feels and how realistically the lacrosse movement is represented,” Sunseri said. “With the new motion capture and motion-matching system, animations aren’t just triggered; they blend dynamically based on speed, acceleration, and player input.”
Franchise Mode Is The Focus
When it launches on April 24, Lacrosse 26 is a field lacrosse game that will offer players a few modes to play, such as quick play, practice, and local multiplayer, but the primary focus is on Franchise.
Franchise mode, which is run more like a college dynasty, starts by having you choose a team name, logo, uniform, names, and player headshots. After you have your team, you’ll play through a full season.
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As you play through the season, recruits will start showing interest in your program. Using the XP earned while playing, you’ll be able to improve your recruiting efforts towards players and allocate various resources to attract talent.
“At the same time, you can spend money and XP to develop and train your current players, helping them grow throughout their college careers,” Sunseri said. “Each season, your roster evolves naturally, since players graduate after four years and are replaced by incoming recruits.”
Players will also be able to schedule tougher or easier opponents between seasons. Winning the tougher games will help build a reputation, increasing your chances of landing better recruits.
Lastly, you’ll also be able to play through Franchise Mode with up to four friends on the same team.
Are you going to pick up Lacrosse 26 when it launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|X on April 24? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and in this official Insider Gaming Discord.
Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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