Last Flag: The Greatest Capture the Flag Game Ever Made

At Argentics, we’re proud to support the development of Last Flag, the debut title from Night Street Games, a studio co-founded by Imagine Dragons’ frontman Dan Reynolds and his brother Mac Reynolds. Officially announced during Summer Game Fest, Last Flag is a third-person, 5v5 hero shooter with a unique twist: it’s entirely built around a profound, competitive reinvention of Capture the Flag.

The inspiration runs deep. As shared in interviews with IGN and other outlets, the Reynolds brothers grew up playing Capture the Flag in the woods at night, sneaking through trees, hiding flags in hard-to-reach places, and outsmarting friends. That formative experience stuck with them, and decades later, they’ve turned it into a full-fledged multiplayer game that combines strategy, tension, and chaos, all set against a vibrant, 1970s-inspired dystopian game show backdrop.

Last Flag is something special — a fan-first experience crafted with care, blending a comfort-driven competitive spirit and an atmosphere built to spark joy and unforgettable moments. It’s a love letter to classic gameplay wrapped in a stylish, original vision, reinventing the shooter genre. In this article, we’ll break down what makes the game tick — from its unique rules and phases to the heroes, strategy, and design that set it apart.

"We’d sneak through the woods, hiding flags in impossible places and outsmarting our friends - those nights defined our childhood,” - Dan Reynolds in an IGN interview.

The soundtrack deserves special mention. Dan Reynolds teamed up with JT Daly and Dave Lowmiller to create music using authentic 1970s instruments. Adding a unique twist, the final track plays for the losing team - a bold choice that underlines the game’s mix of drama and irony (source).

At first glance, Last Flag might appear to be a colorful hero shooter, but beneath its retro game show aesthetic lies a tight, deeply strategic multiplayer experience.

Each match pits two teams of five against each other in a high-stakes, single-round showdown. The core objective is straightforward: find the enemy’s flag, bring it to a Flag Capture Location, and defend it for one minute. But how you get there makes all the difference.

Before Last Flag, the Reynolds brothers had already experimented with blending music and interactivity through an experimental game project released in 2022.

The match begins with a 60-second preparation phase, during which each team selects a location to hide their flag within their half of the map. Placement matters; selecting a clever or hard-to-reach spot can buy valuable time later. This initial choice sets the tone for the entire round.

Once the match begins, both teams leave their spawn and begin the hunt:

• Search for the enemy’s hidden flag
• Protect your flag from being discovered

To support this back-and-forth, the map includes radar towers — strategic capture points that offer significant advantages. Capturing a tower provides:

• Gradual elimination of areas where the enemy flag isn’t located
• Passive healing
• Fast travel access across the map

Map control becomes a tactical layer that rewards teamwork and coordination, adding a chess-like dynamic to the match.

When a team locates the enemy’s flag, the real tension begins:

• The flag must be carried to the team’s capture location base (often a visible landmark like a Pyramid)
• Planting the flag doesn’t secure victory immediately
• The team must then defend the flag for 60 seconds while the enemy tries to reclaim it

If the full minute passes without the original flag-holders recovering it, the attacking team wins the match. If the defenders reclaim their flag, the game continues, potentially leading to multiple twists before a final result.

Matches are designed to be fast-paced and decisive, typically concluding within 20 minutes. If no team has successfully captured and defended the enemy flag within the first 15 minutes, the game shifts into Overtime, a high-stakes 5-minute phase where the pressure intensifies.

During Overtime, the rules change: teams no longer need to defend the flag for 60 seconds after capturing it. A successful capture now results in an instant win, encouraging bold plays and rapid coordination.

If neither team secures a victory during Overtime, the match is decided by proximity; the team that brought the enemy flag closest to their base is declared the winner. Every step matters in the final moments, turning even failed attempts into potential game-winners.

Players choose from 10 playable “Contestants,” each bringing unique weapons, abilities, and personalities to the arena. These are not just skins; each character introduces new tactical possibilities.

• Abilities can be upgraded mid-match using cash earned through gameplay
• This allows players to adapt their build on the fly based on how the match is progressing

Expect wild combos, surprising synergies, and moments that are as shareable as they are satisfying.

No sitting on the sidelines here. When a player is taken out, they begin in a playful 'green room' staging area, where they launch onto the map through whimsical vacuum tubes, selecting their spawn location from several strategic options. This fast respawn system ensures that momentum never drops and every second matters.

The full release of Last Flag is slated for 2026, with the game set to launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store. But that’s just the beginning.

Console development is already underway. Players on PlayStation, Xbox, and potentially even Nintendo’s next-gen platform can expect Last Flag to arrive on their favorite systems shortly after the PC debut. The development team has made it clear: this game is designed to appeal to a broad audience and foster community-driven moments on every major platform.

The best part? You don’t have to wait until 2026 to jump in.

Last Flag is preparing for early testing, and you can be part of it. Whether you're a competitive shooter fan or just curious about this bold new take on a classic game mode, now’s the time to get involved.

Sign up for playtesting: 👉 https://www.lastflag.com/signup

Wishlist the game on Steam: 🤩 https://store.steampowered.com/app/2721340/Last_Flag/

At Argentics, we take pride in working with teams that push creative boundaries, and Last Flag is precisely that kind of project. We’re excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to see players around the world dive into the world of Last Flag and discover what makes it so special.

Stay tuned, stay sharp — and we’ll see you in the arena!