Burning Sword: Death Sun enters Steam Early Access on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, priced at $19.99. Developer Nomadic Games and publisher Rising Tide Publishing confirmed the date one week out, alongside a launch day Arena Mode contest for content creators carrying a $1,000 top prize.
The wuxia action game is set in 12th century China and follows Zhang Yixian, a warrior cast down by the elders of the northern mountain who fights his way back toward revenge. Its Steam page lists the November 17 release date and confirms the story opens in the year 1139 during the Southern Song dynasty. The game unlocks at 15:00 UTC on launch day, and review copies are now available to press and creators through the official review copy form.
Quick Facts
- Title: Burning Sword: Death Sun
- Developer: Nomadic Games
- Publisher: Rising Tide Publishing
- Platform: PC via Steam
- Early Access date: November 17, 2026 at 15:00 UTC
- Price: $19.99
- Launch contest: Arena Mode creator competition with a $1,000 prize
Launch day Arena Mode competition for creators
To celebrate the launch, Nomadic Games and Rising Tide Publishing are running an Arena Mode competition for content creators on November 17. Accepted creators will livestream a single Arena Mode run as soon as the game unlocks on Steam at 15:00 UTC, and the highest score of the day wins $1,000. Members of the development team will be in the chats cheering everyone on.
Creators can request a key without entering the contest. Those who want to compete can check the competition box on the review copy form, and the full rules are published at risingtidepublishing.com/burningsword/competition. The format rewards one clean high scoring run, so routing, risk taking and knowledge of the scoring system all matter on the day.
What is in the Early Access build
All Early Access content is now in the game and playable. The launch build includes five handcrafted linear stages with secrets off the main path, five bosses plus two secret bosses, and the full combat system built around the Power Gauge, Ignite, Quick Shot, Qi Drain and three equipped skills. The Hub area and character progression are in, along with Arena Mode, an endless arcade style score attack mode that also hosts the launch day contest.
The announcement follows the public debut of the new content at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show, held October 29 through November 1 at QSNCC in Bangkok. Visitors to the Burning Sword booth were the first players outside the studio to try the Early Access content, and hundreds of them entered an Arena Mode competition on a live scoreboard. The top player took home a replica Burning Sword from the booth along with a cash prize.
Early impressions from the show floor were warm. Roger Renfro of Load Last Save said the game is fun with a surprisingly competent understanding of fundamentals that many modern action games lack. For players tracking this season of Steam Early Access launches, Burning Sword arrives as the more combat driven option next to recent arrivals.
The road after November 17
More stages, bosses and skills will follow launch, with regular updates and a devlog for each one. The full game is planned to span five chapters and twelve handcrafted stages, with nine named bosses including Gao Tianqi, two secret bosses and many elite minibosses along the way. Everything beyond Early Access is being polished now, according to the team.
Fans of wuxia action have had a busy season, from major sales milestones to engine upgrades on Where Winds Meet. Burning Sword: Death Sun narrows the focus to fast linear action with deep scoring systems, and the $1,000 creator contest gives its Arena Mode a loud opening week. Players can follow updates on the official Burning Sword channels at linktr.ee/burningsword and add the game to their Steam wishlist ahead of the November 17 unlock.
When does Burning Sword: Death Sun enter Early Access and what does it cost
It unlocks on Steam on November 17, 2026 at 15:00 UTC, priced at $19.99. The date and price appear on the Steam page and in the launch announcement from Nomadic Games and Rising Tide Publishing.
How does the $1,000 creator competition work
Accepted creators livestream a single Arena Mode run when the game unlocks on November 17, and the highest score of the day wins $1,000. Request a key through the review copy form and check the competition box to enter. Full rules are at risingtidepublishing.com/burningsword/competition.
What content ships in the Early Access build
Five handcrafted stages with secrets, five bosses plus two secret bosses, the full combat system with Power Gauge, Ignite, Quick Shot, Qi Drain and three equipped skills, the Hub with character progression, and the endless Arena Mode score attack.
What is planned for the full game
Five chapters and twelve handcrafted stages, nine named bosses including Gao Tianqi, two secret bosses and many elite minibosses, delivered through regular updates with a devlog for each one.
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