Moon Beast Productions' Next-Gen ARPG Game Launching on Kickstarter

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Moon Beast Productions' Next-Gen ARPG Game Launching on Kickstarter

An in-depth look at Moon Beast’s upcoming action RPG, its veteran team, and their open development plans. 

When Phil Shenk posted an “End of Year” message on behalf of Moon Beast Productions, it wasn’t just a seasonal thank-you. It was a clear statement of intent: this new ARPG is entering a phase where the community is no longer just an audience, but a core part of how the game will be built. The message connects directly to Moon Beast’s history, their recent funding, and their ambitious vision for a next-generation action role-playing game.

Who is Moon Beast Productions?

Moon Beast Productions is an independent studio founded by ARPG veterans Phil Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer — names behind Diablo, Diablo II, Nox, Lord of Destruction, Hellgate: London, Torchlight, and Torchlight II. Their mission is simple: push the ARPG genre forward.

In late 2024, Moon Beast secured $4.5 million in seed funding from 1AM Gaming, 1UP Ventures, The Mini Fund, Overwolf, Versus Ventures, and notable angel investors including Cohh Carnage and Zynga founder Mark Pincus. This funding allows them to expand while staying lean and focused.

Moon Beast isn’t a random indie startup — it’s a concentrated cluster of designers and engineers who helped define modern ARPGs, now given room to experiment with something fundamentally new.

The ARPG Market Context: Why Moon Beast’s Timing Matters

The ARPG genre is shifting. Long-running franchises are evolving, new contenders are rising, and players are hungry for innovation. Moon Beast enters at the perfect moment.

Diablo IV: A mixed but important milestone

Diablo IV launched with enormous hype but struggled with long-term engagement. While visually impressive, many players feel the endgame lacks depth and systemic variety.

Path of Exile and Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile remains a content-rich giant, while Path of Exile 2 is rolling out gradually. Both games are known for complexity and steep learning curves, leaving room for a more accessible but still deep alternative.

Last Epoch and the rise of modern indies

Last Epoch proved that smaller studios can compete directly with AAA ARPGs — if the systems are strong and communication is transparent.

The opportunity

Players want:

  • fresh ideas beyond static maps
  • worlds that feel alive and reactive
  • transparent developers
  • games that evolve with community input

Moon Beast’s pedigree and ambition position them to fill a gap no current ARPG occupies.

Their new ARPG: vision, not just nostalgia

Moon Beast’s upcoming ARPG is ambitious: large-scale procedural worlds, terraforming, reactive environments, and multiplayer exploration. It’s not a Diablo clone — it’s a systemic rethink of the genre.

Phil Shenk’s end-of-year message: context and meaning

Phil’s message was strategic. He emphasized that 2025 was the year the game became real — new hires, productivity breakthroughs, and validation from the “First Watch” event where experienced ARPG players got hands-on time.

He was also honest: the game is still early, and they need more time and runway. This leads to their next phase — building in the open.

Building in the open: Kickstarter, demo, and community feedback

Moon Beast doesn’t want to disappear for years chasing perfection. They want to involve players early. This is why they’re launching a Kickstarter in February.

  • The core game is ready to share
  • They want real player feedback
  • They want early supporters to feel ownership

This isn’t desperation funding — it’s a strategic move to anchor the community early.

2026 roadmap: reveal, demo, Kickstarter, and Steam Next Fest

Early January

  • Official game title reveal
  • Steam & Kickstarter pages go live
  • Wishlist and follow actions open

February

  • Public demo
  • Kickstarter launch

February 23: Steam Next Fest

A major moment — Next Fest visibility can dramatically expand what’s possible for Early Access.

What to Watch For as Moon Beast Moves Into 2026

1. The official game title

The name will reveal tone, identity, and direction.

2. The scope of the public demo

  • procedural world feel
  • combat clarity
  • progression pacing
  • performance

3. Kickstarter reward tiers

These will reveal priorities and scope.

4. Steam Next Fest performance

Wishlists and sentiment will be key indicators.

5. Developer responsiveness

Open development lives or dies on communication.

What this means for ARPG fans

Moon Beast’s project is compelling: veteran talent, systemic ambition, and a willingness to involve the community early. The February demo will be the first real test.

If you care about where ARPGs go next, Moon Beast Productions is one of the most important studios to watch.