Arkheron CBT Launches With Learning Spires and Spires Modes
The CBT's focus on beginner-friendly modes and a collection system with permanent rewards directly addresses feedback from earlier tests, aiming to retain new players and build a stable community ahead of the full launch.
Key Facts
- The Arkheron closed beta test runs from July 16, 2026, 10:00 JST to July 27, 2026, 16:00 JST on PC (Steam).
- New modes Learning Spires (beginner best-of-three) and Spires (3v3 run system) are added in CBT version 0.21.0.
- The main Ascension mode is available only on weekends and holidays from 21:00 to 24:00 during the CBT.
- A collection system lets players earn permanent rewards including a player skin and profile banner by unlocking collections with in-game Pages.
- The FFL Arkheronβ custom event with esports team FENNEL runs July 17-24, and the First Ascent prize tournament is July 25-26 with 15,000 yen Amazon gift cards for winning teams.
Reporting from 4 sources: GAME Watch (Impress), Denfaminicogamer, ASCII.jp, Automaton.
DRIMAGE and DRIMAGE JAPAN started the closed beta test for the team-based battle royale game Arkheron on PC (Steam) on July 16, 2026. The CBT runs until July 27 at 16:00 JST. The test introduces two new modes: Learning Spires, a beginner-friendly mode that teaches item builds and Eternal transformations in a best-of-three format, and Spires, a fast-paced 3v3 mode with a run system ending after three losses or ten wins. The main Ascension mode, where up to 45 players compete to reach the top of a tower, is available only on weekends and holidays from 21:00 to 24:00. The CBT version 0.21.0 also adds a collection system where players earn in-game currency Pages to unlock visual items, with permanent rewards such as a player skin and profile banner for those who collect enough. Multiple events are planned, including the FFL Arkheronβ custom event in collaboration with esports team FENNEL (July 17-24), a prize tournament First Ascent (July 25-26) with 15,000 yen Amazon gift cards for winning teams, beginner exchange matches, and a Discord community campaign. Pre-registration remains open during the test period. The game is also planned for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no release date announced.
Arkheron is a top-down team-based battle royale developed by Bonfire Studios and published by DRIMAGE. In the main Ascension mode, teams of three occupy beacons to advance floors, with the number of teams shrinking each round until a final 3v3. The new Learning Spires mode gives players a set budget to purchase items and equipment from the Altar, then fight through three floors; Eternals become usable from the second floor, and all ten types are available on the third. Spires uses a run system where each round provides a fixed amount of money, and items increase in price after purchase, forcing varied builds. The collection system uses Pages earned in Ascension and Spires to unlock visual collections; reaching certain thresholds grants a permanent player skin and profile banner that carry over after the CBT ends. The FFL Arkheronβ event opens up to four rooms for 180 participants each day from July 17 to 24, with two matches per day. The First Ascent tournament on July 25-26 also has four rooms and awards a 15,000 yen Amazon gift card to each winning team. A beginner exchange match runs July 16-19, and the Discord campaign offers Amazon gift cards to participants who post introductions or form parties. The CBT is open to anyone who requests access on the Steam store page; previous Friday Night Fights participants do not need to re-register.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 4 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.