We recently attended an exclusive preview of Arkheron, the inaugural title from Bonfire Studios, an Irvine-based developer. The game defies easy classification, blending familiar genre elements into a fresh hybrid that stands apart from existing titles.

Bonfire Studios was established nearly a decade ago by Rob Pardo, a veteran Blizzard developer known for shaping iconic franchises like World of Warcraft and Overwatch. Assembling a seasoned team of industry professionals, the studio has expanded to approximately 70 staff while continuing recruitment in key departments.

Development followed an iterative approach, with daily playtests fueling rapid refinements. Following successful closed trials, Bonfire will host its first public Steam playtest September 19–21, accessible via the Steam store page.

At its core, Arkheron merges top-down ARPG combat with battle royale survival dynamics. The innovative 360-degree aiming system enables precise targeting while maintaining visceral melee engagements. Players compete in 45-person matches (15 teams of three) to ascend a shape-shifting tower composed of collective memories, battling both environmental hazards and rival squads.

Matches begin with players scavenging gear from loot sources before navigating an encroaching storm. Teams must secure dwindling safe zones, forcing confrontations that culminate in a final showdown on the tower’s apex. A unique itemization system replaces fixed classes: collected relics grant abilities, with premium “Eternal” transformations offering powerful skills at the cost of adaptability.

The game introduces roguelike elements through temporary power-ups and randomized loot drops. Completing relic sets unlocks bonuses, while duplicate items enable upgrades. Environmental threats include the Fury – an unstoppable force that adds chaos to player skirmishes.

Pardo emphasized prioritizing competitive depth over accessibility during development, aiming for long-term engagement through evolving metas. While the initial test focuses on PC, console releases for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S are planned post-launch, with full controller support across all platforms.