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NetEase’s Ananta Will Launch January 15, 2027

The free-to-play, cross-platform urban RPG frames progression around social influence and intends to sell cosmetics rather than character gacha, positioning it as an alternative to big open-world releases.

Overview

  • NetEase and developer Naked Rain announced on Tuesday that Ananta will release on January 15, 2027 for PlayStation 5, PC (Steam and NetEase client), iOS, and Android and opened pre-registration across platforms.
  • The Gamescom Opening Night Live trailer confirmed two large, anime-styled cities including Chongxiao and showed diverse traversal options such as cars, motorcycles, subways, helicopters, hang gliders, and flying cars.
  • Gameplay centers on a social-influence loop summed up as “Go Viral. Save the World.” where players build reputation through missions, side activities and content-style interactions to unlock missions, perks, and recruitable NPCs.
  • NetEase says the title is free-to-play without character gacha, meaning players earn characters through play while purchases focus on cosmetics, vehicles, and customization rather than randomized character draws.
  • The January date places Ananta roughly eight weeks after GTA 6, a timing analysts note could affect media attention and player uptake after a sustained multi-year marketing build that began in 2023 as Project Mugen.