Arkheron: New game from Blizzard veteran innovates in the genre

Bonfire Studios, led by former Blizzard chief creative officer Rob Pardo, revealed details about their debut game, Arkheron. The project, in development since 2016, aims to redefine the battle royale formula in a saturated market. Combining elements of RPG and dungeon crawling, the team seeks to create an experience that stands out from established giants like Fortnite, Warzone, and PUBG.

The path to a new title in the battle royale genre is challenging. The dominance of big names makes carving out a space a rare achievement. Bonfire Studios, formed by a talented team including ex-Blizzard members, is aware of this. The studio's foundation by Pardo after issues with the development of the MMO Project Titan (which would become the basis for Overwatch) demonstrates a search for new gameplay approaches.

Arkheron is described as an "ascension royale," where 45 players, in squads of three, compete in a four-story dungeon. The goal is not only to be the last survivor, but also to reach the top floor. Access to the upper floors is through elevators that appear at specific times, forcing combat before a "poisonous storm" takes over the floor. Matches last around 25 minutes.

One of the biggest innovations is the camera system, a "middle ground between isometric and third person," fixed just above the character's back. This limits the field of view, giving great importance to sound and making enemy approaches less predictable. The game has no pre-defined "heroes," and progression is based on equipment found in the dungeon. Each player can equip four items, which form the set of skills. The world of Arkheron is described as a manifestation of memories, with an aesthetic reminiscent of classic dungeons, full of monsters, bosses, and secrets.

There are various types of equipment, such as swords, bows, and shields, that can be upgraded by merging "two identical items." Each equipment belongs to one of the Eternals, powerful entities. By combining two or more items from the same set, the player receives passive bonuses. The main mechanic is the transformation into the Eternal when equipping the complete set, which unlocks a "unique fifth ability" in exchange for the inability to swap items. Additionally, the game includes potions and a money system.

Arkheron does not have a release date yet, and Bonfire Studios is focused on getting feedback from testers to balance the game. The fusion of battle royale with dungeon crawler and RPG elements has the potential to attract various types of players. The title stands out for its ambition to innovate in a saturated genre, but the final quality of the product and its ability to compete with market giants are still uncertain.