GETTING
STARTED
Arena Zero is a free-to-play competitive tactical FPS built in Godot 4.7 — 5v5 bomb defusal and 1v1 duels on 128-tick server-authoritative netcode. It is currently in pre-alpha: no public download exists yet. This guide covers what the game is and how to be ready when playtests open.
What to Expect at This Stage
No public download yet
Arena Zero is in pre-alpha. Playtests are announced on Discord first — that is the only way in right now.
Local profiles
Your settings, stats, and training progress are stored locally on your device. An account system with cross-device sync is planned, but does not exist yet.
Free to play, cosmetic only
Arena Zero will be free at release with cosmetic-only monetization. No pay-to-win mechanics, no loot boxes affecting gameplay, no competitive advantage for sale. Ever.
Expect rough edges
Pre-alpha means active development: balance shifts, map changes, and the occasional bug. Playtest feedback directly shapes the game.
The Game Modes
Competitive 5v5
The flagship mode. Attackers plant the bomb at one of two sites, defenders retake or defuse. Full round economy, halftime side swap, and MR3-style overtime blocks when regulation ends tied.
Duel 1v1
Pure mechanics against a single opponent. Preset loadouts, no economy — just aim, movement, and timing. Overtime at 10–10 requires a two-round lead. The fastest way to settle who is better right now.
Aim Academy
Structured aim training with scored drills, adaptive training plans, and honest progress tracking.
Read the full guideDeathmatch & Bot Arena
Deathmatch for raw volume and warm-up, Bot Arena for configurable AI fights in a safe environment. Neither is a ranked ladder — they exist to get you ready for one.
Your First Five Steps
Join the Discord
Playtest announcements, patch notes, and the community all live on the Discord server. This is step zero — there is no other way to get in.
Check your hardware
Arena Zero is built on Godot 4.7 and runs on a wide range of hardware, from integrated GPUs to dedicated cards. Check the System Requirements page for target specs.
Warm up in the Academy
Before your first match, run a few Aim Academy drills to dial in your sensitivity and get an honest baseline of where your aim stands.
Learn one map
The competitive pool currently features four maps: de_compound, de_orbit, de_porto, and de_souk. Learn the routes and timings of one before jumping into ranked.
Play the objective
Defusal rounds are won by bombs exploding or being defused, not just frags. Kills matter — but the clock and the objective matter more.
Ready to go deeper?
Learn how training works in the Aim Academy, or how money flows in a competitive match.