The music industry's unexpected entry into game development continues as Night Street Games, founded by Imagine Dragons' lead singer Dan Reynolds and manager Mac Reynolds, unveils their debut title Last Flag. This third-person hero shooter represents a bold attempt to reimagine capture the flag gameplay, drawing inspiration from the brothers' childhood experiences playing the classic outdoor game with flashlights in darkened woods.
Game Specifications
- Genre: Third-person hero shooter with capture the flag focus
- Team Size: 5v5 matches
- Character Roster: 10 unique heroes at launch
- Victory Condition: Single flag capture with 1-minute defense period
- Release Window: 2026 for PC, consoles later
- Pricing Model: Premium purchase with all content included
A Musical Duo's Gaming Vision
Night Street Games emerged in 2020 as the passion project of the Reynolds brothers, who discovered a shared love for gaming that traces back to their Commodore 64 days. Mac Reynolds revealed that a third-grade paper he recently found stated his childhood dream of running a game studio, a vision that took decades to materialize alongside their musical success. The studio now employs approximately 25 developers, including veterans from Activision Blizzard who worked on titles like Diablo 3, World of Warcraft, and Heroes of the Storm, partnering with Ukrainian studio Argentics for development.
Development Team Details
- Studio: Night Street Games (founded 2020)
- Team Size: Approximately 25 developers
- Key Personnel: Mac Reynolds (manager), Dan Reynolds (lead singer)
- Development Partner: Argentics (Ukrainian studio)
- Team Background: Multiple Activision Blizzard veterans from Diablo 3, World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm
Reimagining Capture the Flag Mechanics
Last Flag distinguishes itself from traditional shooters by centering everything around a pure capture the flag experience. Each match begins with one player from each five-person team strategically hiding their flag anywhere within their territory, including complex environments like mining tunnel networks. This hiding mechanic creates unpredictability that the developers describe as more like poker and less like roulette, requiring strategic thinking rather than relying solely on luck.
Strategic Gameplay Elements
The game introduces several innovative twists to the classic formula. Teams emerge from underground spawn bunkers and can choose to either rush directly into enemy territory or fight for control of three central radar towers. These capture points provide crucial advantages including passive healing, rapid travel options, and most importantly, intelligence about enemy flag locations by gradually eliminating search areas on the minimap. Once a flag is captured and brought to the base, teams must defend it for one minute rather than scoring immediately, creating opportunities for dramatic last-second saves.
Character Roster and Abilities
Last Flag launches with ten unique playable characters, each offering distinct abilities that can be upgraded throughout matches. The roster includes an archer, thief, and scout equipped with a cyber falcon for reconnaissance. Mac Reynolds emphasizes that discovering unexpected ways to use character abilities and finding new synergies between teammates creates shareable moments reminiscent of Team Fortress 2's chaotic gameplay or Super Smash Bros.' over-the-top action.
Retro Aesthetic and Premium Model
The game adopts a 1970s dystopian game show theme, complete with a mysterious media mogul overseeing the competition. This aesthetic choice extends to the soundtrack, which features fuzzy guitars, analog synthesizers, and authentic vintage studio equipment to create period-appropriate audio. Unlike many modern competitive shooters, Last Flag will launch as a premium purchase rather than free-to-play, with all characters and content included at launch without microtransaction barriers.
Platform Availability
- PC Platforms: Steam, Epic Games Store (2026)
- Alpha Testing: PC alpha planned for late 2025
- Console Versions: In development, release timeline TBD
- Potential Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2 under consideration
Release Timeline and Platform Plans
Last Flag targets a 2026 release on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, with a PC alpha testing phase scheduled for later in 2025. Console versions are planned for release after the initial PC launch, though specific platforms beyond a potential Nintendo Switch 2 version remain unannounced. The Reynolds brothers position this project as the next chapter of our lives rather than a side venture, indicating long-term commitment to game development alongside their musical careers.