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Press release:
October 7, 2026 | Studio Kerosene is excited to announce FIRESTARTERS will launch into Early Access on Steam October 28th featuring Episode 1 of 4, with the remaining episodes arriving as free updates throughout Early Access.

Described by Rock Paper Shotgun as “a bit like Quake, a bit like Rollerdrome, and looks like good, bloody fun,” FIRESTARTERS is a lightning-fast arcade movement FPS where you skate and slay your way through a gauntlet of genocidal androids, because in this world, that’s how you earn your freedom, or die trying.

A new release date announcement trailer has been revealed.

You’re Kera. An ex-delinquent, current convict, and now, the newest fighter for STEEL, the world’s top-rated livestreamed gladiator bloodsport, run by a crime syndicate that doesn’t care if you live or die, as long as you’re entertaining.

No health pickups. No ammo drops. This world doesn’t give a shit about you so don’t expect anything from it, you’ll have to take what you need off the bodies of the androids you tear apart if you’re going to survive. There are no participation trophies here. Just a body bag with your name on it, if you’re not good enough.

Welcome to STEEL, now bleed for it.

“I wanted to build something that feels like a shot of adrenaline to the system,” says Alex Harte, lead developer at Studio Kerosene.

“There are no safety nets in the arenas of STEEL. The high-speed movement mechanics force you to play aggressively and hunt down every target, because hunting is the path to survival.”

About the Game
FIRESTARTERS is a fast-paced arcade movement shooter with visual novel story cutscenes.

Welcome to STEEL
In the future, the world’s top-rated livestream is STEEL, a Japanese gladiator bloodsport owned and operated by the nation’s most notorious crime syndicate. You play as Kera, the designated fighter for the sport’s newest team of prisoners: the Firestarters. Once a formidable delinquent street kid from the back alleys of Okinawa, Kera now fights for the freedom of her newfound friends and atonement for her past sins.

Oil-Stained Bullet Train
Kera’s performance-enhancing STEEL Battlesuit, custom-built rocket skates, and expert-curated arsenal of Arena FPS weaponry grant best-in-class movement and fully self-sufficient gunplay to anyone brave enough to master the controls. The blood-stained arenas of STEEL, resting places for the dead and nightmares for the living, are now your skatepark.

Never Forget the Importance of Entertainment
STEEL spectators won’t stand for stagnation. It’s not enough to just clear a Storm, every true competitor knows they can always play better, slay faster, and score higher. And the only thing the crowd loves more than a grisly death is a champion.

Built to Burn
FIRESTARTERS is a truly hand-crafted experience running on a fully custom game engine built in-house from the ground up. No hard drive bloat. No blurry AI upscalers. No shader compilation stuttering. Nothing to distract you from your gameplay experience. At Kerosene, respect for the player is our minimum specification.

Disclaimers

Photosensitivity Warning: This game contains flashing lights and stroboscopic screen effects. A small percentage of people may experience epilepsy or seizures when exposed to certain lights or visual patterns, even with no prior history. Please stop playing immediately and consult a doctor if you experience any such symptoms.
This game does not promote smoking or the use of cigarettes. It’s only cool when anime girls do it.
This game is a specialty product hand-crafted by humans. No generative AI tools were used in its creation.