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NetEase Games

NetEase Games is running a multi-title gamescom and console push while its Japanese subsidiary Grasshopper Manufacture has gone independent as of October 1, 2026. Blood Message, Infinite ANANTA, Once Human, Sea of Remnants, Where Winds Meet, Marvel Rivals, and Gui Ying Cang Feng are all in active release or testing cycles.

Synthesized from 17 Yomimono stories · updated Oct 4

NetEase Games spent mid-2026 widening its release footprint rather than narrowing it. Once Human, the Starry Studio survival game, moved from PC and mobile to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 26, 2026, adding first-person view, cross-play, and cross-progression. An ocean-themed update, Isles of Abyss, was detailed at gamescom 2026 for October, with head of operations Derek Qiu describing the sea as a single living creature and a ship-building system that forces trade-offs. A separate October chapter, Tiangu, arrived for Everstone Studio's Where Winds Meet on August 20.

The company used gamescom 2026 to date and detail several projects. Infinite ANANTA, the urban open-world RPG from Naked Rain, was set for January 15, 2027 on PC, PS5, iOS, and Android, with a PS Store listing showing support for up to 24 online players. Sea of Remnants, the Joker Studio ocean RPG, showed a new trailer and a December 2026 closed beta ahead of a 2026 launch. Marvel Rivals expanded into a concert series with Disney Concerts, starting October 22 at Indigo at The O2 in London and November 1 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. NetEase also announced Gui Ying Cang Feng, a Chinese folklore escape action game with a PC test beginning August 7.

Blood Message, from 24 Entertainment Lin'an Studio, is NetEase's first completely new single-player AAA title. It was shown at Summer Game Fest 2026 with a story trailer, a 19-minute walkthrough, and a playable demo, but no release date or price has been announced.

On October 3, Grasshopper Manufacture announced it became independent from NetEase as of October 1, 2026, citing discussion and cooperation with NetEase and a continued relationship. The studio had come under NetEase through a 2021 share transfer and released ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN in February 2026.

Key facts

Grasshopper independence date
Grasshopper Manufacture became independent from NetEase Games as of October 1, 2026. ↗
Grasshopper NetEase history
Grasshopper Manufacture came under NetEase through a share transfer agreement in 2021. ↗
Marvel Rivals Galactic Concert dates
First show October 22, 2026 at Indigo at The O2 in London, followed by November 1 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. ↗
Once Human console release
Once Human released on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 26, 2026 with cross-play, cross-progression, and first-person view. ↗
Isles of Abyss update
Once Human's largest update since launch, Isles of Abyss, arrives in October and reworks the ocean as a hostile living creature with ship building and five sea regions. ↗
Infinite ANANTA release date
Infinite ANANTA launches globally on January 15, 2027 for PC, PS5, iOS, and Android, free-to-play with in-game item purchases. ↗
Sea of Remnants closed beta
Sea of Remnants, from Joker Studio, has a closed beta test scheduled for December 2026. ↗
Where Winds Meet Tiangu release
The second chapter of the Bujian Shan update, titled Tiangu, released for Where Winds Meet on August 20. ↗
Blood Message status
Blood Message, from 24 Entertainment Lin'an Studio, is NetEase's first completely new single-player AAA title, with no release date or price announced. ↗
Gui Ying Cang Feng test
NetEase announced the first-person escape action game Gui Ying Cang Feng, with a PC test beginning August 7. ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Announced
new trailer for Sea of Remnants (gamescom 2026 Opening Night Live) · 2026-08-27
Announced
closed beta test for December 2026 · 2026-08-27
Announced
gamescom 2026 lineup (gamescom 2026) · 2026-08-12
Announced
a new first-person escape action game, Gui Ying Cang Feng, inspired by Chinese strange tales · 2026-07-08

Connections

Produces
once human, ananta, where winds meet, sea of remnants, blood message

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/netease-games. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about NetEase Games was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed NetEase Games produces Blood Message Sep 12 · source

All coverage

Oct 3

Grasshopper Manufacture Goes Independent From NetEase

Grasshopper Manufacture announced that it became independent from NetEase Games as of October 1, 2026. The Tokyo studio, founded in 1998 and led by representative director Goichi Suda, has more than 25 years of development experience and more than 25 titles, including killer7, The Silver Case, and the No More Heroes series. It became a subsidiary of GungHo Online Entertainment in 2013 and came under NetEase through a share transfer agreement in 2021. Grasshopper Manufacture released its latest title, ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN, in February 2026 and marked its 28th anniversary in March. The studio said the decision followed sufficient discussion with NetEase Games and its cooperation, and that it will keep a good relationship and cooperate mutually if opportunities arise. It said it has built up self-publishing know-how and will keep planning and developing titles with its own style. Procedures such as changes among officers are underway.

Sep 21

Marvel Rivals Galactic Concert Sets London And Los Angeles Dates

Marvel Games and NetEase Games, working with Disney Concerts, announced the Marvel Rivals Galactic Concert, a global concert series built on the game's soundtrack. The first show is October 22, 2026 at Indigo at The O2 in London, followed by November 1 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. Shota Nakama, the game's music producer and arranger, leads the performance. More dates are promised later.

Sep 14

Once Human Interview Details October Ocean Update Isles Of Abyss

NetEase Games and Starry Studio's survival game Once Human is getting its largest update since launch in October, the ocean update Isles of Abyss. Head of Operations Derek Qiu told Game Spark the sea is designed as a single gigantic life form, with ghost ships, strange lighthouses, and ship building that forces trade-offs, and said the sea was planned from the start of development.

Aug 29

Once Human October Update Isles of Abyss Turns the Ocean Into a Living Monster

At gamescom 2026, Once Human Head of Operations Derek Qiu detailed the October major update Isles of Abyss, subtitled Ocean Expansion. The update reworks the ocean itself as a hostile living creature, adds a ship-building system from simple raft to sea fortress, and introduces five sea regions, blueprint sharing, and land-sea progression loops.

Aug 28

Infinite ANANTA Lets Players Steal Cars and Peek at NPC Smartphones in Longqi Village

NetEase Games showed its urban open-world RPG Infinite ANANTA at gamescom 2026, and the release date was set for January 15, 2027. The game is free to play and headed to PlayStation 5, Android, iOS, and PC. A media hands-on session offered two modes: a stealth-focused story mode and an exploration mode set in Longqi Village, where a character named Wei Yinglong can interact with objects and NPCs, including picking up a smartphone dropped by a fallen villager.

Aug 28

Once Human Launches on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

NetEase Games released the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of the supernatural open-world survival game Once Human on August 26, 2026. The console versions follow the PC and smartphone editions and offer over 300 hours of content at launch. First-person perspective, cross-play, and cross-progression support were added, along with PS5 DualSense haptic feedback and Xbox Game Pass member benefits. A large ocean-themed expansion, Forbidden Island, arrives in October across all platforms.

Aug 27

Sea of Remnants Shows New Gamescom 2026 Trailer, Closed Beta Set for December

NetEase Games revealed a new trailer for Sea of Remnants, an ocean fantasy RPG from Joker Studio, the developer behind Identity V, during gamescom 2026's Opening Night Live on August 26. The game is planned for release in 2026 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, and Android. Sea of Remnants is an open-world RPG set on a vast sea, where each voyage unfolds a different adventure. Players take on the role of a sailor named Sailor who has lost their memories, exploring mysterious islands to uncover the truth of the world and their own past. The trailer highlights the core theme: why does a memory-wiped navigator keep returning to the same sea? Gameplay shown includes a loop of exploration, collection, and return, along with diverse islands, mini-games, strategic turn-based battles, and various sea encounters. During voyages, enemies, bosses, potential crewmates, equipment, skills, and upgrades change, requiring players to adapt their crew and strategy. Returning to the home base city of Autopia, players use gathered resources to strengthen characters for future voyages. NetEase also announced a closed beta test for December 2026, with details on schedule and participation to come later.

Aug 26

Infinite ANANTA Release Date Set for January 15, 2027

NetEase Games and developer Naked Rain announced during the gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 stream on August 26 that the urban open-world RPG Infinite ANANTA will launch globally on January 15, 2027. The title, previously known as Project Mugen when first announced in August 2023, is set across the two cities of Xinqi and Chongxiao-Lingyun. Players take on the role of an investigator working with an organization called Chaos to handle supernatural-related problems, blending humor, adventure, and mystery. The game will be free-to-play with in-game item purchases and is planned for PC, PS5, iOS, and Android. The latest trailer shown during the broadcast included movie scenes from the game and glimpses of in-game activities, including missions and daily life in the cities. According to the official website, global pre-registrations have exceeded 18 million. A PS Store listing has also revealed support for up to 24 online players, a notable change from the up-to-4-player online multiplayer described when the game was announced in 2023.

Aug 14

Where Winds Meet Adds Chapter Two of Bujian Shan on August 20

NetEase Games and Everstone Studio will release the second chapter of the Bujian Shan update, titled Tiangu, for Where Winds Meet on August 20. The update adds new story content, giant bosses, a multi-level dungeon, new combat skills, and a community building event, alongside a gamescom 2026 showcase.

Aug 12

NetEase Games Reveals gamescom 2026 Lineup

NetEase Games announced its gamescom 2026 lineup, featuring playable demos of Sea of Remnants, Marvel Rivals, and Where Winds Meet at the Cologne event in August. The booths will include themed displays, stage performances, and limited giveaways, with specific hall and booth assignments for each title.

Jul 10

Once Human Arrives on PS5, Xbox Series X|S August 25 with First-Person View

NetEase Games and Starry Studio have announced that the free-to-play open-world survival game Once Human will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on August 25, 2026. The console version includes over 300 hours of content, a new first-person view, crossplay and cross-progression support, and enhanced controller features. Pre-order packs are now available on both stores.

Jul 8

NetEase Games Announces Chinese Folklore Escape Action Game Gui Ying Cang Feng

NetEase Games announced a new first-person escape action game, Gui Ying Cang Feng, inspired by Chinese strange tales, and opened its Steam store page. The game is set in a Chinese-style land devastated by a calamity called Shadow Disaster, where players explore stages, fight monsters and other players with cold weapons, and escape within a time limit. A PC test begins August 7.

Jul 1

Sea of Remnants Hands-On: A Pop Pirate RPG With 300 Companions From the Identity V Studio

Game Spark reports from a Summer Game Fest Play Days 2026 demo of Sea of Remnants, the new free-to-play pirate adventure from Joker Studio and NetEase Games. The game blends naval action and turn-based command battles, features over 300 companion characters, and uses a roguelite exploration loop. It is scheduled for a 2026 release on PC, PS5, iOS, and Android.

Jul 1

NetEase's First Premium AAA Single-Player Game 'Blood Message' Hands-On Report

At Summer Game Fest Play Days 2026, NetEase Games and 24 Entertainment Lin'an Studio showed a playable demo of 'Blood Message', a linear action-adventure set in late Tang Dynasty China. The game emphasizes stealth, brutal context-sensitive finishers, and cinematic chase sequences. No release date or price has been announced yet.

Jun 9

NetEase's 'Blood Message' Gets Playable Demo at Summer Game Fest 2026

24 Entertainment, a NetEase subsidiary known for NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, showed a playable demo of its new single-player action adventure Blood Message at Summer Game Fest: Play Days 2026. The game is set in 9th-century China and follows a messenger carrying news of a rebellion to the Tang capital. A 19-minute walkthrough video was also released.

Jun 5

NetEase Games Releases Story Trailer for Tang Dynasty Action Game Blood Message

NetEase Games released a new story trailer for its action-adventure game 'Blood Message' (also known as 'Return to Tang') during the Summer Game Fest 2026 broadcast on June 6, 2026. The game is set in the western frontier of the late Tang Dynasty and is based on the Chinese historical event 'Return of Shazhou to Tang'. The trailer depicts cavalry battles and siege warfare. Developed by 24 Entertainment Lin'an, this is NetEase Games' first completely new single-player AAA title. The story follows a father and his young son on a journey to deliver a message to the capital. The game was first announced in June 2025. A release date has not yet been determined. A first hands-on preview for attendees of Summer Game Fest: Play Days is scheduled to begin the following day, where a gameplay demo will be available. 'Blood Message' is planned for release on consoles and PC.

Jun 1

NetEase Games' 'Blood Message' to Appear at Summer Game Fest 2026

NetEase Games announced that its action adventure game 'Blood Message' will be featured at the Summer Game Fest 2026 live event on June 5. The game, developed by 24 Entertainment Lin'an Studio, is set in the late Tang Dynasty and follows a messenger and his son delivering a letter to the capital. A short teaser video was also released.