Jul 15
Singapore-based Pawprint Studio brought a playable demo of its monster-collection RPG Animo to Bilibili World 2026, held July 10-12 in Shanghai. The game, which began a closed beta test in Japan on July 9, is set for release within 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, and Android. Animo is an open-world RPG where players capture creatures called Animo and fight alongside them, carrying up to four at a time. Its defining feature is the Link system, which lets players merge with an Animo and control it directly. In this linked state, combat becomes real-time rather than turn-based, as players manually use the Animo's skills and dodge attacks. The system also aids exploration: linking with an Animo allows swimming and climbing across treacherous terrains that are difficult for a human character. Developers plan to expand Ecology Areas tied to the Link system, where each Animo has unique background details and rivalries that players can only discover by inhabiting the creature. Animo is free-to-play with item-based monetization. The demo at BW2026 was reportedly close to the final version, with six demo units consistently occupied.
Jul 2
Pawprint Studio's free-to-play open-world ARPG Aniimo enters closed beta in early July for PC and mobile ahead of a full 2026 release on PS5, Xbox, PC, and mobile. A hands-on preview details the link system, which lets players transform into captured creatures to fly, swim, and solve puzzles.
Jun 7
Pawprint Interactive Entertainment announced on June 7 that it will hold the first closed beta test for Japan of its free-to-play open-world monster-collecting RPG Aniimo in early July. Recruitment for participants began the same day. The test is open to residents of Japan and will run on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android. The game, showcased at the Future Games Show: Summer Showcase 2026, is set in the vast open world Idyll (also called Adel in some materials) where players collect creatures called Animo. A key mechanic is the Chain or Link system, which lets players transform into Animo they have befriended. The beta will include exploration, real-time battles, puzzles, and multiplayer elements. Data from the test will be deleted, and no in-game purchases will be available. A new trailer was also released alongside the announcement. The full game is planned for release within 2026 on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store, iOS, and Android with cross-play support.