Protoball

Protoball

Early access since Sep 2021

Protoball is a Movement Arena Sports Shooter, a blend of basketball and soccer crossed with high tech futuristic style. Players athletically jump, slide, run, grind and dash around the arena trying to pass the Protoball through the opponents goal. This is the game you've been waiting for.

70% positive · 121 reviews
Not yet
In early access, still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
In early access, still in active development
High confidence
Active Development

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Evaluation

Protoball has been in Early Access since September 8, 2021 and remains there. Studio Z 3D has been actively and consistently developing the game throughout 2025 and 2026. The developer restarted public builds on June 21, 2025, framing it as "Early Access v2" and signaling renewed momentum. Since then, updates have arrived at a brisk pace: a large November 2025 patch added matchmaking, seasons, and leaderboards; a January 2026 update introduced the PitBall/Lavaball game mode and an engine upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.7 with Linux support; an April 2026 patch added four new characters and a new Character Artist to the team, with more characters and a character creator flagged as forthcoming; a May 2026 announcement confirmed the team was still working toward a major spring update; and additional feature patches in July 2026 continued to add and refine gameplay systems. The most recent communication — a major update posted on August 4, 2026 — delivered all four current game modes, three new skins, global in-game chat, language additions, and a range of gameplay and quality-of-life improvements. The developer framed this as a milestone ("Protoball is Ready!") but the game remains in Early Access with no announced 1.0 date or statement that development is complete. Developer communications as recently as August 4, 2026 show the team is engaged and continuing to refine the game.
Evidence
Major update titled 'Protoball is Ready!' ships all four game modes, three new skins, global chat, Turkish language support, re-translated languages, and multiple gameplay improvements. Most recent developer communication.
news post · Aug 4, 2026 source content shipped
high
Developer announces new skins and game modes, and explicitly states 'Still working on a few things before spring's major update' — confirming planned content was still in progress.
news post · May 18, 2026 source content planned
high

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Studio Z 3D
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows, Linux
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Multiplayer · PvP

About this game

Protoball is the movement arena sports shooter you’ve been waiting for. Cross Quake’s athletic movement with Rocket League’s competitive sports intensity, playing in high-tech futuristic arenas. Jump, slide, dash, grind , and juke across the map as you pass, shoot, and dunk the Protoball through the opponent’s goal.

Master advanced techniques that feel incredible:

  • Curve shots that bend around defenders

  • Explosive energy shields for defense, offense, elims and knockbacks

  • Athletic movement is a priority (dashes, slides, triple jumps, grinding)

This is pure skill-based competition.
Free to play with no pay-to-win. Cosmetics only. Multiple game modes with one shared movement system, so training across skillsets is fun and fresh.

  • Sport Mode (the core experience) — Fast-paced team arena sports. Score by getting the Protoball into the goal.

  • Pitball / Lavaball — The floor, walls, and ceiling are lava/deadly. Blast opponents off platforms with shields and score the ball to bring back a team mate. Last one standing wins, best of 5 rounds.

  • Golf — Protoball mechanics turned into a clever, satisfying golf experience. Play with friends or alone for some good times on the course.

  • Fight Club — Raw combat using the same movement tech. Host a server and go. A lot like 3D Soul Caliber mixed with Smash Bros.

Train offline, climb leaderboards, host your own servers, and jump into online matches. Ranked play, seasons, teams, and tournaments are built in for competitive eSports gamers.

Protoball is a community-driven indie eSport!
The dedicated playerbase organizes games and scrims every day in Discord. Join us to find matches, learn the movement tech, and help shape the future of the game.


GL HF


Shoot Curve Balls to shape your shots and confuse opponents (and stunt on them).

Golf mode is incredible fun and a change of pace. Use Protoball mechanics but in a unique and clever way. Play along with friends, host your own matches, or play Party mode for a quick 3-hole match. 

Pitball / Lavaball - The floor is lava, so are the walls and ceiling. Use your shield or the ball to BLAST your opponents off platforms and into the walls. More hits = more damage taken, until you're being launched into galactic space. Last person standing wins, best of 5. 

Fight Club (don't talk about it), this is our newest and rawest game mode, but we can tell it's going to be amazing already. Plenty of updates happening, and tons of fun. Host your own server with some friends to test it out. C and Left Click attack in conjunction with WASD and Jump. 



You can host your own servers and play training modes, or play online with friends. Protoball is here and you'll find a dedicated playerbase in our discord. 

GGs

Last evaluated Aug 27, 2026
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