Firestarters launches into Steam Early Access on October 28, 2026, bringing rocket-skate movement and arena shooting to a livestreamed gladiator bloodsport. Studio Kerosene will release the first of four episodes at launch, with the remaining three arriving as free updates throughout Early Access.
A demo is available now on Steam, along with a new release-date announcement trailer.
Skate and Fight for Your Freedom
You play as Kera, a former delinquent turned prisoner who becomes the designated fighter for the Firestarters, a team of inmates competing in Steel.
Run by a Japanese crime syndicate, the bloodsport values entertainment above its contestants’ survival. Kera fights to earn freedom for her new friends and atone for her past, with visual novel cutscenes telling the story between battles.
Her equipment includes a performance-boosting battlesuit, custom rocket skates, and an arsenal of arena FPS weapons. The arenas double as skateparks, making movement central to staying alive.
No Health Pickups or Ammo Drops
Firestarters pushes you to fight aggressively. No conventional health pickups or ammo drops; you must take what you need from defeated androids.
“There are no safety nets in the arenas of Steel,” said lead developer Alex Harte. “Hunting is the path to survival.”
Clearing a combat encounter is only part of the challenge. The game also encourages faster kills and higher scores to satisfy Steel’s demanding audience.
Four Episodes Planned During Early Access
Studio Kerosene built Firestarters using its own custom engine. The developer also says it used no generative AI tools in its creation.
Episode 1 arrives October 28, with three further episodes planned as free Early Access updates. The announcement doesn’t specify the release schedule or the game’s price.
