In 2350, decades of seemingly endless war have worn down the solar system, and peace hangs by a thread. To promote peace and enhance communication among the most powerful factions, every year the Solar Council brings together representatives from each faction to discuss politics behind closed doors. During these talks, heroes, referred to as “champions” in-game, compete in front of roaring crowds to claim honor for their individual ethnic groups at the Steel Circus championships.

The only rule? Get the ball into the opposing team’s goal by any means necessary.

Control one of several heroes and compete in online multiplayer matches with the objective of scoring by shooting the ball into the opposing goal by any means. Each champion has a different skill set with two special skills. Characters range from support roles with buffs and heals to brawling powerhouses. Mastering these abilities is the difference between decent and great players. Since each power is designed around teamplay, strategic cooperation with partners is crucial to claiming the final victory.

Three character types round out the field: Strikers, Enforcers, and Specialists. Strikers, known for their speed and agility are best for offensive play while avoiding engagements wherever possible to line up the perfect shot. Enforcers are the brute force of any well-balanced team, engaging opponents and disabling them temporarily, enabling the rest of the team to score. Specialists are the wildcards of the field: clever and creative, they create chaos on the field, block Strikers from goals and neutralize Enforcers before they can react.

Each character features special moves that can turn the tides towards victory. Lochlan, a Scottish lord from the United States of Europe, buffs his team’s speed while hampering his opponents’ by playing his powered bagpipes. A sneaky robot from the Ceres Worker’s Union known as Cap-x02 can transform into a projectile-launching turret capable of stunning the opposition. Schröder, the mysterious spokesperson of Saturn Enterprises, is capable of altering physical matter in order to evade traps and confuse opponents who swear he sometimes appears of out nowhere.

Steel Circus is now available on Steam Early Access, and will receive regular updates, including new champions, arenas, customizations and balancing fixes, continuously addressing and improving the game in line with player feedback.

Six champions are available, each with their own distinct skills and role. Two futuristic arenas will also be available, featuring a variety of environmental gameplay. Following a successful closed alpha testing period, developer Iron Mountain Interactive has plans for regular updates, introducing new champions, arenas, customizations, and balancing adjustments.

Steel Circus is free-to-play with a balanced and comprehensive skill set. Although cosmetic upgrades can be purchased, they offer no competitive advantage and there will be no loot boxes. While every Champion can be unlocked through gameplay for free, an All Champions Pack is available for US$ 19.99.