Get ready for an intense new gaming experience on the horizon. Beautiful Light is set to launch in December 2026, bringing a fresh take on the tactical shooter genre. This PvPvPvE extraction shooter will pit 18 players divided into 6 squads of 3 operators against each other and the environment as they compete to secure valuable artifacts.
The game centers around squad-based tactical gameplay where teams must navigate hostile, horrific environments. Each mission challenges players to enter dangerous territory, locate and secure an artifact, and successfully extract it while facing threats from both enemy squads and the environment itself. The combination of player versus player and player versus environment elements creates a dynamic and unpredictable gaming experience.
Beautiful Light aims to differentiate itself from other extraction shooters by focusing heavily on objective-based gameplay rather than just elimination. Players will need to develop strategies that balance aggressive tactics against other squads with careful navigation of environmental dangers. This blend of tactical decision-making and first-person action promises to deliver high-stakes encounters where teamwork will be essential for survival.
What Is Beautiful Light?
Beautiful Light is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious tactical shooters on the horizon. Developed by Deep Worlds SA, this PvPvPvE first-person extraction shooter blends tactical realism, survival horror, and intense multiplayer action in a way that has fans of the genre buzzing. Scheduled for release in December 2026, Beautiful Light drops players into a hauntingly atmospheric world where the stakes are high and every decision matters.
At its core, the game pits six teams of three operators against each other and a terrifying world filled with player-controlled anomalies and unpredictable threats. Whether you’re coordinating a stealth extraction or going in guns blazing, the game promises a deep, tactical experience that rewards teamwork, precision, and nerves of steel.
PvPvPvE: What Does It Mean?
The term “PvPvPvE” might seem like alphabet soup at first glance, but it points to a unique blend of gameplay elements that make Beautiful Light stand out. Here’s how it breaks down:
- PvP (Player vs Player): Teams compete against one another to secure high-value objectives, primarily the artifact at the center of the map.
- PvPvP: It’s not just you versus one other squad. There are six squads in total, all trying to complete the same mission. Every decision you make has to factor in the constant risk of running into another team.
- PvPvPvE: On top of that, you have to survive a hostile environment teeming with AI-controlled enemies—and here’s the twist: some of those enemies can be controlled by other players, adding another layer of unpredictability.
This setup creates a tense, dynamic battlefield where no two matches will ever feel the same.
Gameplay Overview: Tactical Extraction Meets Survival Horror
Beautiful Light isn’t your typical run-and-gun shooter. This game rewards patience, planning, and precise execution. Each squad enters a sprawling, eerie map with one goal: retrieve the artifact and extract safely. However, standing in your way are rival teams, environmental hazards, and horrific anomalies that can turn the tide of battle in an instant.
Gameplay Features:
- Team-Based Tactical Combat: Work closely with your squad to scout locations, secure objectives, and engage enemies.
- Player-Controlled Anomalies: If your operator dies, you have the option to control one of the game’s AI anomalies, turning you into a supernatural threat for the remaining players.
- Dynamic Environments: Each map is designed with an oppressive, haunting atmosphere, complete with weather effects, shifting threats, and emergent events.
- Extraction High Stakes: Surviving isn’t enough. You need to secure your loot, extract safely, and avoid ambushes during the most vulnerable moments.
A Horror-Fueled Atmosphere That Cranks Up the Tension
One of Beautiful Light’s biggest selling points is its horror element. The environments are claustrophobic and oppressive, with eerie sound design that keeps you constantly on edge. The anomalies that stalk the map aren’t just mindless AI—they’re clever, unpredictable, and sometimes controlled by other players, which makes every corner you turn a potential death trap.
Between the fog-choked forests, decrepit urban ruins, and eerie underground bunkers, Deep Worlds SA has crafted a world that feels alive in the most unsettling way possible.
Immersive Realism and Tactical Depth
Beautiful Light leans heavily into realism. Expect a hardcore experience that includes:
- Limited HUD: There’s no traditional health bar or mini-map. Situational awareness and communication are key.
- Weapon Handling: Realistic recoil, reload animations, and ballistics mean that skillful shooting is essential.
- Resource Management: You’ll need to manage your ammo, gear, and health supplies carefully. Overextending can get your whole team wiped out.
The steep learning curve may seem intimidating, but for fans of games like Escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown, Beautiful Light looks to offer that same intense, rewarding gameplay loop—elevated by its unique horror twist.
What We Know About the Release
As of now, Beautiful Light is set for release in December 2026. While that’s still a ways off, Deep Worlds SA has been steadily releasing development updates and behind-the-scenes footage, keeping the community engaged and hyped. There’s also a planned beta phase expected in mid-2026, giving players an early taste of the action.
Final Thoughts: Why Beautiful Light Is Worth Watching
If you’re a fan of tactical shooters with deep gameplay systems and love the thrill of survival horror, Beautiful Light should be firmly on your radar. The blend of PvPvPvE elements, combined with player-controlled anomalies and an immersive, eerie world, makes this one of the most intriguing shooters in development.
With its December 2026 release date approaching (albeit slowly), we’ll be keeping a close eye on Beautiful Light for any new details. Until then, sharpen your tactics, gather your squad, and prepare for a shooter experience that promises to be as beautiful as it is deadly.
Key Takeaways
- Beautiful Light launches December 2026 as a tactical first-person extraction shooter with both PvP and PvE elements.
- Players will form 3-person squads to compete against 5 other teams while navigating horrific environments.
- Success depends on effective teamwork to secure artifacts and safely extract them from hostile territory.
Game Overview
Beautiful Light combines tactical gunplay with horror elements in a unique extraction shooter format. Players must navigate dangerous environments while competing with other squads and fighting monstrous threats.
Core Mechanics
Beautiful Light operates as a PvPvPvE extraction shooter where 18 players divided into 6 squads of 3 operators enter a mission zone. Each squad’s goal is to locate, secure, and extract valuable artifacts while facing both human and AI threats.
The game emphasizes tactical decision-making. Players must manage limited resources including ammunition, medical supplies, and specialized equipment. Communication is vital for squad success.
Visibility management plays a key role in gameplay. Operators can use tactical lights to illuminate dark areas or switch to night vision when stealth is needed.
Movement and positioning are crucial. The game features realistic ballistics and damage models that reward careful planning over run-and-gun approaches.
Setting and Atmosphere
Beautiful Light takes place in a horror-filled environment where danger lurks around every corner. The world feels oppressive and threatening, with abandoned structures and eerie landscapes creating a sense of dread.
Monstrous anomalies roam the terrain, each with unique behaviors and weaknesses. These creatures respond to sound, light, and movement, forcing players to adapt their tactics accordingly.
Weather and time-of-day systems dramatically impact gameplay. Fog limits visibility, rain masks footsteps, and darkness creates opportunities for ambush or stealth.
Environmental storytelling reveals the history of these corrupted zones through notes, recordings, and environmental details. Players piece together the narrative while completing their missions.
Strategy and Progression
Beautiful Light features an RPG-like progression system. Operators gain experience and rank up through successful extractions and completed quests. This unlocks new skills, equipment options, and tactical abilities.
Squad composition matters significantly. Teams must balance different operator specialties:
- Assault – front-line combat experts
- Support – healing and utility specialists
- Recon – information gathering and stealth
Players face meaningful choices about risk vs. reward. Valuable artifacts attract more attention from other squads and dangerous entities. Deciding when to extract with current loot versus pursuing higher-value targets creates tension.
The economy system allows players to buy, sell, and upgrade equipment between missions. Failed extractions result in lost gear, adding stakes to each engagement.
Operational Details
Beautiful Light’s tactical gameplay revolves around strategically navigating hostile environments while competing against other squads. Each mission requires careful planning and execution to successfully secure and extract valuable artifacts.
Gameplay Dynamics
Players operate in teams of three, forming one of six squads in each 24-player match. The core objective focuses on locating, securing, and extracting artifacts while navigating through enemy-controlled territories.
Each operator can specialize in different skills through the Contractor System, allowing teams to build complementary squads with varied tactical advantages. Some contractors excel at reconnaissance, while others provide medical support or heavy firepower.
Matches feature asymmetrical gameplay, with squads potentially entering the environment with different objectives or advantages. This creates dynamic interactions between teams, sometimes leading to temporary alliances or calculated betrayals.
Extraction is only possible via designated helicopter landing zones. These zones become high-tension choke points as multiple squads may converge while attempting to escape with their artifacts.
Equipment and Resources
Operators must carefully select their loadouts before deployment. The game features a diverse arsenal of weapons, ranging from standard tactical firearms to specialized equipment designed for the unique environment.
Standard Equipment Categories:
- Primary weapons (assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles)
- Secondary weapons (pistols, machine pistols)
- Tactical gadgets (heartbeat sensors, proximity mines)
- Utility items (medical kits, ammunition boxes)
Resources are scarce within the hostile environment. Teams must scavenge for supplies or eliminate rival operators to replenish their equipment.
The game incorporates a trader system where artifacts and collected resources can be exchanged for better equipment between missions. This progression system encourages strategic resource management and risk assessment during operations.
Environmental Challenges
The environment itself poses significant threats beyond rival operators. Hazardous zones contaminated with unknown substances can damage operators or impair their vision and movement.
Physical obstacles require specialized equipment or team coordination to overcome. Some areas may be accessible only through specific pathways, creating natural choke points and ambush locations.
Environmental Threat Types:
- Atmospheric hazards (toxic gas, radiation zones)
- Structural dangers (unstable buildings, trapped areas)
- Limited visibility conditions (fog, darkness)
- Natural obstacles (flooded areas, collapsed passages)
Protection against environmental threats requires specialized equipment that often comes at the expense of offensive capabilities. Teams must balance protection against combat effectiveness.
The environment contains hidden lore elements that provide context for the artifacts and the hostile setting. Discovering these elements can reveal tactical advantages or unlock special equipment options for future operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Beautiful Light’s gameplay revolves around specific mechanics, environments, and tactical elements that shape the player experience. Here are answers to the most common questions about this upcoming extraction shooter.
What are the primary objectives for squads within the game?
Each squad must enter the game environment, locate an artifact, secure it, and successfully extract with it. Finding the artifact often requires exploring dangerous areas of the map.
The extraction phase becomes particularly challenging as other squads will be alerted to your possession of the artifact. Teams must defend their position while waiting for extraction vehicles.
Strategic planning is essential as squads must balance speed, stealth, and combat readiness throughout their mission.
How does the player versus player versus environment mechanic function?
The PvPvE system creates a dynamic battlefield where squads face both AI enemies and human-controlled opponents. Environmental threats and hostile AI pose consistent dangers throughout the map.
Player squads compete directly against each other for the same objectives. This creates unpredictable encounters and requires adaptable tactics.
The environment itself serves as a third threat factor, with hazardous conditions and limited resources adding pressure to decision-making.
Can you describe the operator roles and their unique abilities?
Beautiful Light features specialized operator classes, each with distinct equipment loadouts and abilities. These include assault specialists, recon experts, support roles, and heavy weapons operators.
Each role contributes unique tactical advantages to squad composition. For example, recon operators can detect enemy positions, while support classes provide healing and resupply capabilities.
Operators can be customized with different weapons, gear, and cosmetic options that players unlock through progression.
What kind of environments can be expected in the game?
The game takes place in hostile, horrific environments designed to create tension and challenge. Settings include abandoned facilities, underground complexes, and contaminated urban areas.
Dynamic weather and lighting conditions affect visibility and gameplay strategies. Darkness serves as both cover and threat, with limited lighting options available to players.
Environmental hazards like radiation zones, toxic areas, and structural dangers create additional obstacles for squads to navigate.
What are the options available for squad communication and coordination?
In-game voice communication allows real-time tactical planning between squad members. Proximity-based audio means players must be careful about being overheard by nearby enemies.
A ping system provides non-verbal communication options for marking locations, enemies, and items. This helps maintain stealth when voice communication might reveal positions.
Squad leaders can assign objectives and coordinate movement using tactical map features.
What are the win conditions or success criteria for completing a match?
Successfully extracting with the artifact represents the primary win condition. This requires surviving until an extraction vehicle arrives at designated zones.
Alternative victory paths exist for squads who intercept and eliminate artifact-carrying teams. The intercepting squad can then claim and extract with the artifact themselves.
Experience and rewards are granted based on multiple factors including extraction success, eliminations, objectives completed, and survival time.
