Fireside Games Announces Hotshots Deluxe Edition

Fireside Games has officially announced the return of their high-stakes, cooperative wildfire rescue game. But this isn’t just a reprint—it’s a massive, glow-up revival.

The Hotshots Deluxe Edition is set to ignite on Kickstarter on April 21, 2026, bringing a whole new level of “press-your-luck” tension to your tabletop.

Originally nominated for the Origins’ Best Family Game Award in 2017, Hotshots puts 1–4 players in the soot-stained boots of an elite wildfire crew. Each player takes on a unique role—like the Crew Boss or the Sawyer—utilizing special abilities to contain a raging forest fire.

The gameplay is a masterclass in tension. You’ll roll dice to match firefighting icons, cut firebreaks, and deploy vehicles across a modular forest of tiles. But be warned: every roll is a gamble. If you fail to contain the flames, the fire spreads, tiles flip to their “scorched” side, and the forest edges closer to total destruction. In this game, you either beat the blaze as a team or you burn together.

We did a review of the game that you can read here.

“Hotshots is the game we get the most requests to bring back,” says Justin De Witt, Chief Creative Officer at Fireside Games. “We’re excited to bring it back bigger and better than ever.”

What’s in the Deluxe Box?

Fireside Games is leaning heavily into the “Deluxe” title, offering component upgrades that literally light up the room. The Kickstarter campaign will feature:

• LED Light-Up Flame Tokens: Forget cardboard; these tokens bring the glow of the inferno to your table.

• Upgraded Miniatures: Highly detailed firefighter figures to replace standard pawns.

• Tile Frames: Connectible edges to keep your modular forest locked in place during the chaos.

• Enhanced Visuals: A top-to-bottom refresh of the graphic design and component quality.

• Expanded Content: New surprises and gameplay additions yet to be revealed.

Quick Stats

• Players: 1–4

• Time: 45–60 Minutes

• Ages: 10+

• Launch Date: April 21, 2026

f you’re ready to answer the call, Fireside is offering some “Early Responder” perks for those who sign up before the siren sounds. By following the pre-launch page, you can snag:

1. An exclusive Hotshots Badge Patch.

2. A Hotshots Collector’s Coin (for those who reserve their pledge).

3. Access to exclusive Day-One rewards when the campaign goes live.

Whether you’re a veteran of the 2017 original or a rookie looking for a pulse-pounding co-op experience, the Hotshots Deluxe Edition looks like the definitive way to play with fire.

We also have a a great interview with did with Justin of Fireside games, you can listen to here.