Cozy bonfire simulator, Chillin’ by the Fire, launches on Switch 2
Japanese game developer Oink Games has released a new title, Chillin’ by the Fire, a bonfire simulation game for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Oink Games is a developer with a background in creating popular and cleverly designed physical tabletop games, known for a minimalist and stylish aesthetic that is carried over into its digital releases.
Chillin’ by the Fire is a relaxing game where the main objective is to successfully build and grow a bonfire.
Players must chop wood, arrange the logs, and manage airflow to nurture a small flame into a large, roaring fire, with the ultimate goal of reaching “Bonfire Level 10.”
The gameplay is designed to be a quiet and engaging experience, requiring players to pay close attention to the state of the fire and the thickness and placement of the wood.
The game features a distinctive low-polygon art style for its environments, but uses High-Dynamic-Range (HDR) lighting to create a beautiful and realistic fiery glow.
While it can be played as a solo experience, the game is built around social and communicative multiplayer.
Up to four players can gather around a single bonfire in online play, using in-game chat to communicate.
An innovative “camera play” feature also allows players with an external camera to have their real-life video feed appear around the virtual fire, creating a sense of shared presence.
The game also features “talk topic” cards that appear on screen to help facilitate conversation between friends.
Several different game modes are included, such as a “Survival” mode where players must keep a fire going with limited resources, and a sandbox “Playground” mode.
The game also supports “Download Play,” which allows up to four people to play together locally even if only one person owns the game, and is compatible with the original Nintendo Switch for this feature.
Chillin’ by the Fire was officially launched on Thursday, the 31st of July, 2025, and is available now on the Nintendo eShop for ¥1,650 (approx. $11 USD/£8 GBP).
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