Wargaming’s Steel Hunters Debuts Lore Trailer for Upcoming F2P PvPvE Mech Shooter

Wargaming has released the first entry in its Hunter Stories series, a lore trailer for Steel Hunters protagonist Razorside, ahead of the mech combat game’s 2025 launch. The video delves into the tragic backstory of Jason Miller Jr., a former Marine transformed into the 55-ton killing machine Razorside through a corporate experiment called the “Hunter Genesis.”

What is Steel Hunters?

The upcoming free-to-play title blends battle royale and extraction shooter mechanics—a hybrid approach seen in games like Hunt: Showdown. Players pilot customizable mechs (“Hunters”) in duos, scavenging resources (Starfall) and fighting AI enemies and rival teams on a post-apocalyptic Earth.

Razorside’s Story

• Origins: Once a decorated Marine, Miller was captured and forcibly converted into Razorside after the apocalyptic event “May Day Omega.”
• Abilities: Armed with heavy artillery and tactical gear, Razorside excels in long-range combat, reflecting Miller’s military background.
• Motivation: Now a cyborg, he battles corporate forces that created him, seeking vengeance while protecting surviving humans.

The trailer hints that other Hunters will receive similar deep dives, exploring their pre-mech lives and the “Hunter Genesis” experiments that bound their consciousness to machines.

Context for Newcomers

Steel Hunters marks Wargaming’s first original IP beyond its tank/naval combat franchises (World of Tanks, World of Warships). The game targets a genre dominated by Armored Core and MechWarrior, but with a live-service twist: mechs persist between matches, and extracted resources upgrade gear—a risk/reward loop familiar to Escape from Tarkov fans.

Wargaming has yet to announce a release date but confirms a Steam launch. For updates, visit the

Final Thoughts

Mech games often struggle to balance customization depth with accessibility, but Steel Hunters’ focus on character-driven lore could help it stand out. Whether the extraction mechanics resonate in a genre known for short, intense matches remains to be seen—but Razorside’s tragic backstory suggests Wargaming is betting on narrative to hook players.

Steel Hunters Gameplay Trailer:

Further reading: Official site, Steam page.