Diesel Knights Kickstarter just launched and it is already 💯 100% funded.
TLDR:
TLDR: Diesel Knights is a 6v6 mech shooter that scratches that Titanfall itch we’ve all been missing, set in a gritty dieselpunk world where 65-ton war machines run on oil and coal. The Kickstarter just launched, and it’s time to pay attention.
For years, Titanfall fans have been waiting for something—anything—to fill the void left by Respawn’s legendary mech shooter. While I’ve been casually following Diesel Knights on Twitter/X and YouTube, the recent Kickstarter launch finally gave me reason to dive deep into what developer Xavier B. Johnson is building. And honestly? This might be exactly what we’ve been craving.
What Makes Diesel Knights Special
Diesel Knights isn’t trying to be a carbon copy of Titanfall—it’s carving out its own identity in a brilliantly realized dieselpunk world. Imagine towering 65-ton mechanical battle suits called “gunwalkers” that run on oil and coal, featuring WW2-inspired industrial design aesthetics. You’re not piloting sleek sci-fi titans; you’re commanding hulking, smoke-belching war machines that feel like they belong on a 1940s battlefield reimagined through a dieselpunk lens.
The game positions you as one of the “Knights” of the 407th Special Armored Cavalry Regiment, engaging in frenetic 6v6 multiplayer combat. Like Titanfall, the magic happens in the interplay between pilot and mech gameplay. On foot, you’ll utilize advanced parkour movement mechanics and mid-century inspired weapons and gadgets. But when you climb into the cockpit of your gunwalker, the entire battlefield transforms into a playground of steel and diesel fumes.
Pre-Alpha Screenshot
What excites me most is the verticality and momentum-based gameplay—hallmarks of what made Titanfall’s movement so addictive. Whether you’re playing in first or third person (yes, you get both options!), Diesel Knights promises that same fluid, high-skill ceiling movement that kept us grinding Titanfall matches for hours.
From Pandemic Passion Project to Kickstarter
There’s something inspiring about Diesel Knights’ origin story. What started as Xavier B. Johnson’s personal side project during the pandemic has evolved into a fully playable Unreal Engine prototype. Johnson now leads development solo, collaborating with a small network of freelance artists for concept work and 3D assets. This is pure indie hustle, and the results speak for themselves.
Pre-Alpha In Game Screenshot
The fact that there’s already a playable prototype available on Steam (which you can wishlist now!) shows this isn’t just concept art and promises—it’s a real game you can actually try. Time trial modes are already implemented, letting you compete for fastest times while mastering the movement mechanics.
Why This Matters
I have been seeing this game on and off on Twitter what made it work and why is it getting attention?
Not many small indie projects get funding and attention and this is a good thing for the developers.
Let’s be honest: the mech shooter genre has been criminally underserved since Titanfall 2. While we wait for any news about Titanfall 3 (it’s cancelled), indie developers like Johnson are stepping up to fill that gap.
Diesel Knights isn’t just capitalizing on nostalgia—it’s offering a fresh aesthetic twist on familiar gameplay we love.
The dieselpunk setting alone sets it apart. Instead of clean, futuristic technology, we’re getting grimy, industrial warfare. These aren’t elegant robots; they’re mechanical monsters that belong in an alternate-history WW2. That visual identity could be what makes Diesel Knights memorable in a crowded shooter market.
What’s Working: Marketing Lessons from Diesel Knights
I’ve been seeing this game pop up on and off on Twitter, and it made me wonder: why is this indie project getting traction when so many others struggle? Not many small indie projects secure funding and attention like this, so there’s clearly something Johnson is doing right.
Here’s what I’ve observed: strong visuals + consistent YouTube presence + niche audience = virality potential. Diesel Knights has polished prototype footage that looks impressive, semi-regular dev log updates that keep people engaged, and taps into an underserved audience (mech shooter fans) that’s hungry for content.
But here’s the kicker—it’s not just online marketing. Johnson has been attending in-person events like mech-focused conferences to build genuine interest and community.
This is a key lesson for indie devs: online posting alone isn’t enough. Face-to-face events, targeted communities, and showing (not just telling) through playable demos create momentum that algorithmic posts can’t match. Based on the limited dev logs available, it’s clear that strategic in-person networking has been instrumental in getting Diesel Knights noticed.
What’s Next
The Kickstarter is live now, and if you’ve been missing that Titanfall rush, this is worth supporting. With a playable prototype already available, you can actually test the movement and combat before backing. For those of us who’ve been following the project on social media, seeing it finally launch feels like watching an underdog step into the ring.
Whether you’re a Titanfall veteran looking for your next fix or someone who loves the dieselpunk aesthetic, Diesel Knights deserves your attention. Check out the prototype, throw it on your Steam wishlist, and consider backing the Kickstarter if the gameplay clicks for you.
Links:
- Diesel Knights Kickstarter
- Steam Page – Wishlist & Playtest
- Follow Development on Twitter/X (add link)
- Diesel Knights Youtube
- Press Kit with Images and Videos
First Teaser I saw
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