4:LOOP’s Scanner Boss Fight And Design Detailed in New Deep Dive

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The cooperative shooter 4:LOOP will likely include a variety of challenging bosses. Mike Booth, the chief creative officer at Bad Robot Games, recently shared details about one of these bosses – the Scanner – in a PlayStation Blog post. He explained the studio’s design process for boss battles and how those choices specifically shaped the Scanner’s creation.

According to Booth, a key goal for the boss battles in 4:LOOP is to make each one feel distinct, going beyond just how they look. Bad Robot Games wants players to approach each boss differently, requiring them to use new strategies and think on their feet. Regarding ‘The Scanner’ (internally known as ‘The Cube’), Booth explained they aimed for a boss fight that focused less on direct fighting and more on understanding the environment, navigating effectively, and coordinating with teammates across the map.

The Scanner uses a powerful attack called the “Grid of Doom” – a network of red lasers that covers the entire battlefield. One laser hit will knock a player down, and a second hit eliminates them from the fight. While the laser grid is slow-moving and visible, players need to find ways to navigate around it safely. The challenge increases as the fight progresses, because the laser grid becomes more dense and difficult to avoid.

The boss is shaped like a cube covered in 54 tiles – 9 on each side. Players must destroy all 54 tiles simultaneously to expose its weak point, the Reactor Core. However, it’s not easy! A moving and rotating Scanner makes targeting difficult, and any damaged tiles will eventually repair themselves.

According to Booth, this design creates a challenging boss battle. Players need to work together, spreading out to attack from different sides while dodging a constantly shrinking laser grid. The key is to stay moving to avoid a dangerous area – the ‘Grid of Doom’ – but also stay focused on destroying panels and launching a coordinated attack on the Reactor Core when it becomes vulnerable.

When the Reactor Core opens, players have a short time to inflict maximum damage. The boss fight is designed to make players carefully consider their equipment – for example, using a Cloaking Backpack to move through the Laser Matrix, or choosing stronger weapons to destroy the Reactor Core quickly.

The Scanner began as a basic concept: a large, floating cube puzzle with panels players could destroy. It eventually became one of our most recognizable enemies, showcasing how players can work together and creatively solve difficult challenges. Remarkably, it achieves all this without ever directly attacking the players.

4:LOOP is coming to both PC and PlayStation 5. You can find more information in the official announcement trailer and a detailed gameplay video showcasing the game’s action and gadgets.

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2026-04-29 16:44