If your co-op gaming sessions don’t involve enough screaming, arguing, and unintentional sabotage, indie developer Knifing Mantis has just the antidote. The studio has officially unveiled Split Circuit Arena, an early-stage, physics-driven co-op arena combat game heading to PC via Steam—with official Steam Deck support locked in as a development target.
Forget sweaty competitive metas and toxic matchmaking. Split Circuit Arena is a PvE experience entirely built around shared chaos, communication, and completely uncoordinated mechanical warfare.
Two Drivers, One Wheel (Literally)
The central hook of Split Circuit Arena is beautifully simple yet deliberately infuriating: two players must pilot a single combat robot together.
Instead of splitting roles by driver and gunner, the controls are split right down the middle of the machine. One player commands the left side of the robot (including its wheel and left-mounted weapons), while the other player has sole control over the right side.
Want to drive in a straight line? You and your partner need to apply the exact same amount of gas. Want to turn left? Your partner needs to back off while you accelerate. Want to jump or execute an attack? You both need to hit the button at the exact same millisecond. Even the most basic navigation turns into a frantic boardroom meeting in the middle of a warzone.
Pure Physics-Driven Mayhem
Once you manage to move, you’ll have to survive. The game dumps players into hostile arenas to face off against smart, aggressive AI-controlled rival bots.
Rather than relying on artificial stats or gear scores, combat is entirely physics-driven. Players will have to coordinate in real time to ram, shove, flip, and smash through opponents. The environment itself is just as lethal, packed with hazards like rotating weapons, slamming traps, and fire pits that you can either push your enemies into, or accidentally drive yourself into because your partner panicked.
Couch Co-Op and Handheld Play
Knifing Mantis is building the game with flexibility in mind. Players will be able to team up locally for classic couch co-op or connect online to test the limits of their friendships remotely.
Crucially for handheld enthusiasts, the developers have already stated that Steam Deck support is a core target for development, meaning you’ll be able to take this beautifully uncoordinated death machine on the go.
The project is currently in its early prototype stage, with the dev duo continuing to refine the physics, damage models, enemy behaviour, and level hazards. If you want to check out the initial trailer or add the game to your wishlist, the official Steam page is live now.
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