From the frozen, quiet solitude of the Arctic to the loud, chaotic wilds of an alien frontier: Goldfire Studios has lifted the lid on Ranchonauts, their gleefully unhinged new co-op game about herding unruly extraterrestrial livestock across dangerous worlds — landing exclusively on PC in 2027.
From Ice to Outer Space — Goldfire’s Bold New Direction
Oklahoma City’s Goldfire Studios won hearts with Arctic Awakening, a tense, narrative-driven survival adventure about isolation, companionship, and uncovering secrets beneath the ice. It was intimate, atmospheric, and thoughtful.
Ranchonauts is the complete opposite — a raucous, physics-powered co-op experience built for up to six players (or solo with AI helpers) where the goal is simple: get the flock from one side of the frontier to the other. The execution? Pure, glorious chaos.
What on (and off) Earth Is Going On?
Your ship has crashed. You’re stranded on a lawless sci-fi frontier. The only way to pay off your debts and fix your ride? Become intergalactic shepherds.
But these aren’t your average sheep. Bouncy, skittish, and hopelessly curious, these alien creatures will wander into danger the moment you look away — and the planet is packed with hazards to help them along:
- Electrical storms that scatter the herd mid-drive
- Gravitational anomalies that send sheep — and players — floating into the void
- Hostile local wildlife that sees your flock as lunch
- Unstable terrain that shifts, crumbles, and triggers spectacular tumbles
Everything runs on ragdoll physics — so when things go wrong, they go hilariously, dramatically wrong. Friends can accidentally knock each other over; a well-meaning nudge might send a sheep bounding off a cliff; and storms can turn a calm drive into a frantic shouting match.
Teamwork, Tools, and Total Mayhem
- Voice chat with proximity: Shout at a friend across the map? They’ll barely hear you. Stand right next to them? Perfect for barking orders — or panicking together.
- Progression: Complete contracts, pay down your repair bill, and unlock better gear — sturdier vehicles, clever herding tools, and protective gadgets to handle deadlier sectors.
- No game overs, just gales of laughter: A scattered herd isn’t a failure — it’s a rescue mission. The game is designed so you can always regroup, recover, and try again.
- PC first: Launching on Steam in 2027; console versions may follow post-release.
Why the Shift?
“Arctic Awakening was about being alone and finding connection in the quiet,” Goldfire Studios shared. “With Ranchonauts, we wanted to do the opposite — make something that brings people together in the loudest, silliest way possible. It’s about that joy of shouting directions while everything spirals — and we can’t wait to share it.”
Fans needn’t worry: the studio confirmed Arctic Awakening will continue to receive support and community updates.
Ready to Round ’Em Up?
Wishlists are open now on Steam. Expect a reveal trailer soon — and prepare for the most ridiculous, friendship-testing herding job of your life.
From blizzards to black holes — Goldfire Studios is proving that the wildest frontiers are the ones you share.
Find out more here: Ranchonauts
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