During The Game Awards 2024, publisher and developer Wargaming (best known for World of Tanks) showcased its new game Steel Hunters. It’s a third-person shooter at its core, but it incorporates gameplay elements seen in MOBAs, extraction shooters, and hero shooters, with the main hook being the hulking mechs you control called Hunters. You play in competitive objective-based matches in teams of two against multiple othre duos (for a total of up to 12 players and six teams per match) with AI-controlled enemies around the map, making it a PvPvE-style game.
I was able to check out a hands-off demo of Steel Hunters and saw the game in action prior to its unveiling at The Game Awards. It’s an intentionally slower-paced game with a greater emphasis on tactics rather than twitch-shooting skills, even tho it does carry many similarities to the shooters that inspired it. Multiple capture points are spread across the three different maps available, and emergent side objectives pop up throughout a match, which can lead to loot and items that’ll help you in combat. Players can also come away with cosmetic items that persist for their Hunter if it can be extracted at a final standoff in a match.
It’s an intentionally slower-paced game with more of an emphasis on tactics rather than twitch-shooting skills.
As for the monetization model, Wargaming isn’t straying too far from what’s seen in its other games. Hunters will be highly customizable from a cosmetic standpoint, but each will also have their own progression tracks to unlock different abilities and modifications to customize their loadouts. Wargaming stated that nothing that can be purchased with real money will give players a competitive advantage. However, there will be ways to pay to accelerate progression (essentially time-savers).
You will start with three Hunters available and must either play to make progress towards unlocking new Hunters or pay to unlock them.There will also be a battle pass and seasonal content similar to other live-service games; however, the exact details of how these systems work are still to be determined.
A closed beta for Steel Hunters is active now and runs until December 22,which you can sign up for on the official Steel Hunters website. An open beta is planned for 2025, but there is no set date or release window yet. The beta periods and initial release will first come to PC, but Wargaming is planning on having a console version at some point afterward.
Michael Higham is IGN’s Tech Editor.
how might Steel Hunters impact the future of team-based esports games?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and gaming Expert
Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today we have the pleasure of speaking with gaming expert Dr. Alex Rivera, to discuss the recently unveiled game Steel Hunters by Wargaming. Dr. Rivera, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Rivera: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to talk about Steel Hunters.
Editor: So, Steel Hunters was showcased at The Game Awards 2024. What can you tell us about its gameplay mechanics?
Dr. Rivera: Steel Hunters is quite innovative! At its core, it combines elements from various genres, making it a unique experience. It’s a third-person shooter but with gameplay features from MOBAs, extraction shooters, and hero shooters. This blend of styles makes it appealing to a wide range of players.
Editor: Interesting! Can you elaborate on how these different elements come together in a match?
Dr. Rivera: Absolutely! In Steel Hunters, players form teams of two and face off against multiple duos, for a total of up to 12 players. The goal is to compete in objective-based matches, but what makes it interesting is the presence of AI-controlled enemies scattered throughout the map.This introduces a PvPvE dynamic, forcing players to strategize not just against each othre but also against the environment.
Editor: So, teamwork is essential in Steel Hunters.How do you see the role of the ‘Hunters’—the mech units players control—impacting gameplay?
Dr. Rivera: The Hunters are central to the game’s identity. Each mech has its own abilities and playstyle, encouraging teams to choose complementary Hunters. This creates a level of depth, as you have to adapt your strategy based on your duo’s composition and the situation on the battlefield. The mechs can also change the pace of the game, offering players the thrill of giant robots in combat!
Editor: With so many players and teams involved, what do you think will keep the gameplay fresh and engaging over time?
Dr. Rivera: It’s all about the evolving strategies and player dynamics. With multiple combinations of Hunter classes, objectives that change throughout matches, and the unpredictability of both AI and human opponents, there’s always room for new tactics.Wargaming can also introduce new Hunters and maps, to keep the community engaged. They could even roll out seasonal events to shake up game modes!
Editor: speaking of community engagement, how do you see Steel Hunters fitting into the competitive gaming scene?
dr. Rivera: Given its team-based nature and the fact that it encourages strategic play, Steel Hunters has strong potential for esports. The competitive dimension could be heightened with tournaments featuring ranked play, which could attract both casual gamers and those looking for a serious challenge. Plus, the unique mech mechanics could lead to some entertaining plays and showcases.
editor: That sounds exciting! As Wargaming is known for their success with World of Tanks, how do you think their experience in developing large-scale multiplayer games will influence Steel Hunters?
Dr. Rivera: Their experience is invaluable. Wargaming has a track record of crafting engaging multiplayer experiences, and they understand community feedback. They can leverage their knowledge of game balance, matchmaking, and post-launch support to ensure Steel Hunters thrives. Given their history, I expect them to foster an active community around this new title, supporting it in ways that enhance player experience.
Editor: So it truly seems we might be looking at another successful venture for Wargaming. Any final thoughts on Steel hunters?
Dr. Rivera: I’m eager to see how it develops. The blend of genres and the focus on teamwork could make Steel Hunters a fresh take in the crowded FPS market. Fingers crossed we see exciting gameplay footage soon, and also more details on the Hunters themselves. It really has the potential to capture the hearts of many gamers!
Editor: Thank you, Dr. rivera, for sharing your insights with us. We’ll definitely keep an eye on Steel Hunters as it nears its release.
Dr. Rivera: Thank you! It was a pleasure discussing this promising title.