Moon Beast Productions, an independent studio founded by Diablo veterans Philip Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer, has announced Darkhaven, a next-generation action RPG that combines the genre’s roots with a fully dynamic, persistent world. Alongside the announcement, the studio has launched the game’s Steam page and revealed plans for an upcoming Kickstarter campaign, inviting the ARPG community to help bring the project to Early Access.
Darkhaven Gameplay Trailer
A Dark Fantasy World in Ruins
Darkhaven is set in a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy world, where ancient empires have fallen and the wilderness, monsters, and supernatural forces reclaim the land. Players inherit a legacy of power as one of the last hopes for this dying world, facing eldritch threats that threaten to consume the remnants of civilization.
Dynamic, Persistent, and Player-Shaped
The game is designed for solo play, cooperative adventures, and high-stakes PvP-enabled realms. Darkhaven features a procedurally generated, fully dynamic world where terrain and structures are deformable and buildable. Players can:
- Dig tunnels through dungeons
- Drain lakes to uncover hidden ruins
- Redirect lava flows to reshape battlefields
- Rebuild shattered fortresses
Seasons change, weather affects combat and traversal, and world-altering events leave permanent marks. Every action contributes to a shared, evolving history that reflects the player’s choices.
Combat That Rewards Skill and Movement
Combat in Darkhaven balances stats, builds, and player skill. Heroes can jump, climb, swim, dash, and traverse freely, introducing a new layer of action rarely seen in the genre. Success depends not just on numbers but on timing, terrain awareness, and movement, creating more engaging, skill-based encounters.
“Movement is fun. Jumping over attacks, climbing cliffs, or swimming across a river changes how combat feels. It’s not just numbers fighting numbers anymore. It’s about skill, flow, and making smart decisions in the moment.” – Erich Schaefer, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
Bold Loot and Meaningful Progression
Darkhaven draws inspiration from Diablo and Diablo II, emphasizing expressive loot that can redefine builds rather than simply optimizing stats. Items are designed to open possibilities, encourage experimentation, and make discoveries exciting.
“Great itemization is about possibility. In Darkhaven, gear should make you rethink your build, your strategy, or even how you play the game.” – Peter Hu, Co-Founder & President
A Team With Decades of ARPG Experience
The founders of Moon Beast Productions bring decades of experience across legendary ARPGs, including Diablo, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction, Diablo III, Hellgate: London, Torchlight, Torchlight II, Nox, and Marvel Heroes Online.
Philip Shenk, CEO and Co-Founder, said: “Darkhaven represents everything we’ve learned about ARPGs over the last two decades. We’re building a world that remembers your actions, bears the scars of your victories and failures, and tells stories unique to your playthrough. With community support through Kickstarter, we’re ready to bring it to Early Access.”
Get Involved
Players can follow Darkhaven’s Kickstarter campaign now and wishlist the game on Steam. A playable demo will also be available alongside the Kickstarter launch, giving fans a first taste of the game’s dynamic world and skill-based combat.
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