Get ready for some exciting updates coming to THE FINALS in Season 5! During the last Reddit AMA, Rob Runesson (CCO @ Embark Studios) dropped some exciting news about what's in the pipeline, combined with some more details recently been revealed, we can almost certainly say that Clans are coming!
The big one? Clans are officially coming! Rob confirmed they're "on the roadmap" along with other social features like player profiles and messaging. And that's not all, Gustav Tilleby (Creative Director @ Embark Studios) confirmed they're working on a customizable jukebox system so you can customize lobby music, that we can expect to see in Season 5.
Oscar Lundberg (Community Lead @ Embark Studios), shared even more details about clans during the latest community stream.
Even the game's latest lore video seems to be hinting at these changes. If you caught June and Scotty talking about how "groups are already forming" among contestants, that wasn't just random chatter. June's comment about how "these things tend to escalate" feels like a pretty clear nod to the upcoming clan system.
These are big game-changers for THE FINALS community. Clans will give players a way to build long lasting communities and friendships that matter beyond just single matches. And the jukebox looks like it's just the start of what looks like a bigger push toward letting players customize their experience.
We've seen how important clans can be in other competitive games. They're often what keeps players coming back, turning casual players into dedicated teams and creating those lasting friendships that make gaming special. Looking at games like Destiny 2 and Warframe, clan systems have been crucial for player retention - giving players a sense of belonging and shared goals that keep them engaged long after they might otherwise move on.
The AMA revealed some other cool stuff potentially coming in to Season 5 too. Rob mentioned they're working on adding a "Sorry" option to the chat wheel. They're also looking at Terminal Attack and Powershift modes for Fortune Stadium, mouse and keyboard support for console players, and even fun experimental game show events like Floor is Lava (anybody else remember Molten Madness?!). Team Deathmatch might show up as a casual warm-up mode too, though don't expect it to take over the main game.
These additions, especially the clan system, could fundamentally transform THE FINALS from a match-based game into a true gaming community. Clans will likely drive more organized competitive play, potentially spawning amateur leagues and tournaments. The social features could help bridge the gap between casual and competitive scenes, creating a more vibrant ecosystem where players of all skill levels have a place to belong.
For the game's long-term health, these social features couldn't come at a better time. As THE FINALS approaches its first full year, having strong community tools will be crucial for maintaining player engagement and fostering the kind of dedicated playerbase that successful competitive games need. The combination of clans, customization options, and new game modes suggests Embark Studios is thinking carefully about player retention and community building.
In the next couple of weeks, we'll be learning a lot more about these features as Season 4 comes to an end and creators get their hands on Season 5 soon. With these community-focused changes on the horizon, Season 5 isn't just looking big - it could be transformative for THE FINALS' future.