Dirtnap Brings Destructible Arena Combat to Steam on August 28

By Sakib Khandokar, Lead Analyst Published Jul 30, 2026, 2:25 PM UTC 2 min read

Release Brief Developing report

Dirtnap Brings Destructible Arena Combat to Steam on August 28

Part Time Monkey has announced that its arena shooter Dirtnap will launch in Steam Early Access on August 28, 2026. The title is arriving on both Linux and Windows, offering fast-paced combat for 1 to 10 players.

Quick Facts

Release Date: August 28, 2026
Platforms: PC (Linux and Windows via Steam)
Player Count: 1-10 players (online, LAN, or local split-screen)
Languages: English, Finnish, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese

Terrain as a Weapon

The core mechanic of Dirtnap centers on its pixel-by-pixel terrain destruction. Weapons, explosions, and melee attacks alter the map layout in real-time, causing walls to collapse and new pits to open beneath players. This destruction system is further complicated by fluids—including lava, water, and mud—that flow into the gaps created during combat, forcing players to adapt to an ever-changing battlefield.

Modes and Customization

At launch, the arena shooter will feature five distinct game modes: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Battle Royale, Capture the Flag, and Tournament. The tournament mode spans four rounds, allowing players to select upgrades between segments. Players can choose from seven characters, each equipped with a unique ability, and utilize a weapon pool of over 30 items, ranging from standard rifles to banana bombs.

Matches can be played against human opponents or AI bots, with the latter filling empty slots to ensure full lobbies. The game includes four distinct biomes: Dunes, Permafrost, Mudlands, and Volcano, each introducing specific hazards to the matches.

Technical Details and Early Access

While the studio has confirmed native Linux support, details regarding Steam Deck compatibility remain unconfirmed. The developers have not yet provided system requirements or frame rate targets for the build. The studio, which consists of a small Finnish team of three, intends to use the Early Access period to iterate on the game based on player feedback, drawing inspiration from classic titles like Liero, Soldat, and Worms.