OPERATION LIVE FIRE — Closed Alpha Launch
Tomorrow OPERATION LIVE FIRE commences with the launch of Burned Horizons’ Closed Alpha.
Over the past four months, we’ve been working through concept art, world building, art style, interface mockups, features, and promotion — and tomorrow begins our shared journey of turning those ideas into reality.
What’s in the Alpha at Launch
The Alpha at launch will focus on key features including:
Basic movement in real time and turn-based combat
Targeting enemies, with battlefield factors impacting hit probability
Early wounding and triage systems
Multiple camera angles (Top Down, Isometric, Third Person)
Frameworks for trauma (SCARs)
Character progression systems (UCD/S, Pathways & Specializations)
In combination with persistence, these systems will carry forward with each operator and, as additional features and systems are added, will increasingly impact their performance, growth, and interactions with squad members, civilians, and enemy combatants.
What Happens After Launch
Following release, we will continue to push weekly updates with additional features and mechanics, depth, content, and improvements as we progress toward planned Early Access in April 2026.
By January 12, OPN LIVE FIRE will pivot from a Closed Alpha to an Open Alpha in advance of the Kickstarter campaign, which begins on January 25.
What We’re Building
Burned Horizons is something unique — a deeply immersive game that mirrors the effects of war and conflict on people, both combatants and non-combatants.
We’re also building Burned Horizons with player agency in mind, including sliders and toggles for a wide range of settings (encumbrance, tooltips, etc.), alongside foundational modding support. Inspiration reaches back to old-school tactical games from before the XP grind took over. There are no health bar meters or pick-your-way skill trees — characters develop through what they do, experience, and survive.
Our goal is to give a glimpse into what war really is — not how it’s marketed in most games today. And by starting our first theater in Ukraine, we’re trying to tell the story of what people there — and others in similar situations — are experiencing and surviving.
We’re glad you’re on this road with us.
Hold the line. Always forward.
ROLLING SCHEDULE
23 DEC: Closed Alpha deploys
Dec 23 → 25 JAN: Regular updates, fixes, and incremental content
Week of 12 JAN: Closed Alpha expands into Public Alpha
25 JAN: Kickstarter launch
Q1 2026 → Early Q2 2026: Early Access launch
Your feedback during this phase directly shapes what comes next.
WISHLIST ON STEAM // BACK THE KICKSTARTER (JAN 25)