Few upcoming games have generated as much anticipation and mystery as Project Mugen. First unveiled at Gamescom 2023 with a jaw-dropping trailer that blurred the line between CGI and gameplay, NetEase‘s urban open-world RPG—now officially rebranded as Ananta—has been quietly but steadily moving toward a 2026 launch [0†L19-L21]. In an era of rushed releases and broken promises, Naked Rain studio has taken the opposite approach: perfecting their vision first, talking later [8†L9-L14].
But while the world of Ananta promises sprawling metropolises, web-swinging traversal, and a living city full of secrets, sometimes you need to step away from the chaos of Nova City. For those moments when you want to trade high-speed urban acrobatics for a more measured, turn‑based challenge, a different kind of entertainment awaits: Rummy91. This platform offers the classic Indian card game of Rummy—a pure test of skill, observation, and patience—providing the perfect low‑pressure complement to the adrenaline of urban exploration.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Project Mugen / Ananta in mid‑2026: the game‘s official rebranding, the world of Nova City, its genre‑defining traversal and combat systems, the roster of playable characters, major collaborations and monetisation shifts, leaked content including relationship systems and advanced customisation, the confirmed 2026 closed beta timeline, platform availability, and the full roadmap ahead. Then, we’ll explore why Rummy91‘s blend of pattern recognition and strategic discard is the ideal companion for the hours between urban adventures.
Chapter 1: The Long Road to Nova City — From Project Mugen to Ananta
The journey has been long. Project Mugen was first announced at Gamescom on August 24, 2023, by NetEase and its newly formed Thunder Fire Studio subsidiary, Naked Rain, developed by teams in Hangzhou and Montreal [0†L19-L21][12†L2-L4]. From the very first reveal, the game captured attention with its stunning urban anime visuals, seamless open-world traversal, and a setting that felt distinct from the fantasy forests and medieval castles that dominated the gacha RPG genre [1†L32-L34][1†L33-L36].
For months, the community wondered if the game was too good to be true—until September 2025, when Naked Rain finally put speculation to rest. At Tokyo Game Show 2025, the studio released a full seven‑minute gameplay trailer and allowed media and players to sit down with a live PC build of the game [1†L4-L6][9†L12-L13]. The verdict was unanimous: Project Mugen is very real, and it plays surprisingly well [9†L39-L40].
In late November 2024, the game was officially rebranded, with the Japanese version receiving the title Ananta (and the Chinese version keeping Wuxian Da). A major promotional livestream followed on December 5, 2024, revealing new details about the game‘s systems and confirming its simultaneous global launch ambitions [13†L3-L6][6†L6-L8].
The rebranding also introduced the game‘s proper English name: ANANTA. The title, drawn from Sanskrit meaning “endless” or “infinite,” perfectly captures the boundless freedom of its urban playground. The game‘s setting is Nova City (Chinese: Xinqi Shi)—a sprawling coastal metropolis where humans and supernatural anomalies live side by side, and where every street corner hides a new discovery [8†L14-L15].
Chapter 2: Nova City — A Living, Breathing Metropolis
Nova City is the heart of Ananta. It is not a static backdrop but a reactive, open-ended urban environment designed to feel genuinely alive [8†L16-L19]. The day‑and‑night cycle affects everything from NPC behaviour to mission availability. Streets bustle with activity during the day, while neon-lit alleyways come alive at night, offering different opportunities and dangers.
Players can explore districts ranging from the glitzy Sonic Burst party district and the scholarly Whalebone Library to the vibrant Iwen Art Museum, each with its own architectural style, culture, and secrets [14†L6-L9][4†L6-L7]. The city is designed to reward curiosity: wandering down an unmarked alley might lead to a hidden quest, a rare encounter, or simply a stunning view of the city‘s skyline.
NPCs in Nova City are not mere window dressing. They react to your presence, respond to your actions, and form an intricate ecosystem of routines and relationships. You can interact with them in a multitude of ways—help a street vendor, tail a suspicious figure, or just sit on a bench and watch the world go by [8†L16-L19]. The city itself becomes a character, and the more you engage with it, the more it reveals.
The game‘s world is enormous. Leaked information suggests that driving across the main city map could take up to 24 minutes from one end to the other—comparable to the density and scale of a mainline GTA title [16†L24]. Yet unlike GTA‘s relatively flat traversal, Ananta‘s city is built for vertical exploration, rewarding players who look up as much as those who look forward.
Chapter 3: Traversal — Spider-Man Meets Urban Acrobatics
If there is one feature that defines Ananta‘s moment‑to‑moment experience, it is the traversal system.
At TGS 2025, players got hands‑on time with a feature that left everyone smiling: a grappling hook that allows characters to swing between skyscrapers, wall‑run across glass facades, and soar across the city without ever touching the ground [10†L13-L15][8†L17-L18]. Crucially, this traversal comes with no stamina limit—you can swing, climb, and leap to your heart‘s content without being forced back to street level by an arbitrary meter [11†L17-L18].
Lead Producer Ashley Qi described the team‘s inspiration: they wanted movement to feel “hip and cool,” appealing to young players who grew up with superhero movies and action games. In a 30‑minute demo at TGS, players controlled Taffy as she swung between buildings, wall‑ran up sheer surfaces, and used momentum to launch herself across gaps with effortless grace [9†L39-L40][9†L44-L45]. One moment she was gliding over a traffic jam; the next, she was grappling onto a rooftop to escape pursuing enemies.
Beyond the grappling hook, players can commandeer vehicles for ground traversal, each with its own handling characteristics. Collaboration with Porsche has been announced, hinting that the game‘s garage will feature licensed vehicles for players to collect and customise [17†L6-L7]. And in a nod to player freedom, you can even carjack vehicles from NPCs—a feature rarely seen in open‑world anime games [17†L10-L11].
When you‘re not swinging or driving, the movement system supports parkour moves: sliding under obstacles, leaping across rooftops, and climbing ledges with fluid animations that make even routine movement feel like part of the action [13†L7-L9].
Chapter 4: Combat — Dynamic, Environmental, and Team‑Based
When the city‘s anomalies turn hostile, Ananta shifts into its combat mode. The system is designed to be fast, flashy, and flexible, blending team‑based tactics with environmental improvisation [11†L21-L24].
4.1 Four‑Character Teams and On‑the‑Fly Switching
Combat is built around squads of up to four characters, and players can switch between them in real time during battle [11†L23-L24][13†L9-L10]. Each character belongs to a specific attribute and role—Espers, as they are called—and their abilities synergise with one another. You might start a fight with a ranged character to soften up enemies, switch to a bruiser to break shields, then swap to a support for healing and buffs [8†L21-L23][15†L5-L6].
4.2 Environmental Improvisation
One of the system‘s most distinctive features is the ability to weaponise your surroundings [8†L22-L24]. Players can pick up random objects—golf clubs, trash cans, street signs, even mailboxes—and use them as impromptu weapons. In the TGS demo, Naked Rain showed a character smashing a trash can over an enemy‘s head, then kicking a traffic barrier into a charging foe.
The combat also encourages using the environment as cover, triggering scripted environmental hazards, or trapping enemies in confined spaces. Whether you choose to go in guns blazing or outsmart your opponents using the terrain, the system rewards creativity [4†L9-L11][15†L6].
4.3 Batman‑Style Countering and Action Flow
The core combat loop feels familiar to anyone who has played Batman: Arkham or recent Spider‑Man games. Tapping R1 performs basic attacks, while L1 triggers counter moves. Chaining hits together builds momentum, and special abilities—each character‘s unique “esper” powers—are triggered with dedicated inputs [9†L44-L45]. This rhythm of attack, parry, and ability feels fluid and responsive, encouraging players to stay aggressive.
4.4 The “No Pity‑Break” Gacha Promise
In a surprising move for the genre, Naked Rain has announced a guaranteed pull system without pity‑breaking—meaning there‘s no mechanic that forces you to pull an off‑banner character when you‘re close to a guarantee. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive [17†L5-L9]. This approach, combined with reports that revenue will focus on cosmetic monetisation (character skins, vehicle customisations, housing decorations) rather than character pulls, could represent a genuine shake‑up of the traditional gacha model [11†L25-L29][8†L25-L27].
Chapter 5: The Roster — Faces of Nova City
Ananta‘s cast includes a colourful mix of personalities, from high‑energy street artists to mysterious supernatural beings. Here are the confirmed characters as of mid‑2026:
- Taffy: The laid‑back, low‑energy child with rabbit ears who prefers conserving her energy—until she enters combat, where she can summon a massive transforming hammer or ride a vehicle to run over enemies [18†L19-L25][19†L15-L21].
- Bansy: A punk‑aesthetic artist and the group‘s graffiti expert. She wields a paint gun that sprays colourful liquids and lobs grenades, and there‘s a hint that her art may be able to come alive [18†L15-L19][19†L21-L25].
- Alan: A light‑haired male character sporting a blue and yellow windbreaker. His weapon is a yo‑yo that grows to massive size and rolls at extreme speeds to attack both near and far enemies [18†L35-L43][19†L26-L30].
- Mechanika: A spunky young engineer accompanied by a robot buddy. Her name and aesthetic suggest she fills a tinkerer or support role, specialising in ghost trapping and machinery [18†L31-L35][19†L31-L35].
- Dila: A mysterious figure who appears in promotional material as both ally and antagonist. She wields an absolutely massive sword and seems to possess control over meteoric power—perhaps tied to the game‘s supernatural anomalies [18†L26-L30][19†L36-L40].
- Player Character (Male / Female) : The “Infinite Trigger,” a customizable protagonist who serves as the player‘s primary avatar. While you‘ll control the protagonist for much of your journey, acquiring other characters allows you to jump into their shoes and experience their unique abilities [18†L8-L14][19†L40-L47].
Chapter 6: Leaked Content — Romance, Multiplayer, and Deep Customisation
While Naked Rain has been relatively tight‑lipped about the full scope of Ananta‘s systems, datamined leaks have revealed features that could significantly expand the game‘s appeal.
6.1 Romance and Afternoon Tea System
Leaks point to a detailed relationship system where players can build bonds with characters through “Afternoon Tea” interactions, complete with cinematic camera angles and branching dialogue options. Each character has a dedicated rank system tied to affection; as you increase your bond, they unlock exclusive dialogue, special interactions, and potentially in‑game rewards [16†L7-L13].
6.2 Multiplayer and Smart Matchmaking
Multiplayer appears to be based on instanced sessions rather than a fully shared open world. Leaks indicate private rooms for friend‑only sessions, team matchmaking for automated group formation, and smart matchmaking that pairs players based on both skill level and device performance [16†L14-L16].
6.3 Advanced Customisation System
Ananta‘s customisation system may be one of the most detailed in the genre. Leaks suggest an 8‑tier rarity system for cosmetic items (from basic to mythic), with each outfit supporting up to seven independent dye channels—allowing players to customise even tiny details like collars and zippers. There are dedicated equipment slots for cosmetic items, ears, tails, and accessories [16†L16-L20].
6.4 Re‑released Teasers and Ongoing Development
On December 4, 2024, Naked Rain posted a new gameplay video showcasing Nova City and its main characters, and on April 18, 2026, the studio hosted a preview broadcast revealing new details about cross‑platform simultaneous global release [17†L6-L7][6†L9-L13]. The development team has emphasised that they are prioritising quality over rushing to meet a release window, with active development currently focused on producing large‑scale content and refining game systems [8†L9-L14][6†L4-L6].
Chapter 7: Platforms and Release Window — The 2026 Roadmap
7.1 Confirmed Platforms
Ananta is confirmed for PS5, PC, iOS, and Android, with cross‑play support planned to allow players across all platforms to share the same shared world [8†L28-L29][12†L2-L4][13†L4-L5]. PlayStation 4 support was mentioned in earlier announcements, but current marketing materials focus primarily on current‑gen hardware. The game is also expected to be playable on cloud platforms [7†L9-L11][2†L15-L16].
7.2 Closed Beta 2026 — The First Playable Build
The most important news for players hungry to get hands‑on is the confirmation that Ananta will launch its first Closed Beta Test (CBT) in 2026 [11†L6-L10]. While a specific date has not been announced, preparations are actively underway. Pre‑registration is available through the official website [14†L9-L11].
The CBT will likely focus on testing core systems: server stability, combat balance, traversal feel, and the game‘s unique “no pity‑break” gacha implementation. Interested players can sign up via the official website at anantagame.com.
7.3 Full Release — Late 2026 or Early 2027
The full global release is tentatively expected for late 2026 or early 2027, according to multiple industry sources [6†L4-L6][11†L30-L32]. Naked Rain has made it clear that they will not rush the game to market; stability and polish take priority over meeting a fixed calendar date.
However, the most recent reports suggest the launch window is currently planned for the third quarter of 2026 (July to September) , beginning in China followed by a global rollout [6†L4-L7]. If this timeline holds, Ananta could be playable within months.
7.4 Regional Launch Strategy
The game appears to be targeting a simultaneous global release on PC, consoles, and mobile, with the developer maintaining a low public profile domestically to synchronise marketing and launch rhythms across all regions [6†L9-L13].
Chapter 8: The Future — What‘s Next After Launch
While the primary focus is on successfully launching the game, a post‑launch roadmap is already taking shape. Naked Rain has confirmed that they view the game as a long‑term, steady operations project rather than a one‑and‑done release [6†L7-L8]. Players can expect:
- Regular content updates introducing new districts, new missions, and new Espers to collect
- Limited‑time seasonal events tied to real‑world holidays and festivals
- Continued story chapters advancing the ongoing narrative of Nova City
- Collaborations (the announced Persona and Porsche collaborations indicate this is a priority) [17†L6-L7]
- Expanded multiplayer features building on the foundation of the initial launch systems
Leaked information also suggests that the world of Ananta extends beyond Nova City, with “other connected cities” mentioned in promotional materials—hinting at potential future expansions to entirely new metropolitan areas [14†L7-L8].
Chapter 9: Rummy91 — A Different Kind of Strategic Play
After imagining yourself swinging between skyscrapers, orchestrating team combos against supernatural threats, and exploring a city where every corner hides a new adventure, your brain might crave something different. Something with no skill trees to optimise, no grappling hook timing to perfect, and no city map to memorise.
That‘s where Rummy91 comes in.
9.1 What Is Rummy91?
Rummy91 is an online platform specialising in Indian Rummy—the classic 13‑card game that has entertained players across generations. It offers a clean, accessible interface where players can join tables, practice against bots, or compete in real time against opponents from across the country. The platform is known for its smooth onboarding process, allowing even first‑time players to start playing within minutes.
Unlike Ananta‘s sprawling open‑world demands, Rummy91 sits at the opposite end of the gaming spectrum: turn‑based, low‑pressure, and entirely dependent on observation and calculation.
9.2 Core Rules — How to Play Indian Rummy
Indian Rummy, the format used on Rummy91, follows a straightforward set of rules:
- Players and Setup: Played between 2 to 6 players. Two standard 52‑card decks plus jokers are used. Each player receives 13 cards at the start of the round.
- Objective: Arrange your hand into valid melds—sequences (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit) and sets (three or four cards of the same rank but different suits).
- The Pure Sequence Rule: Every valid hand must contain at least one pure sequence—a sequence formed without any jokers or wild cards. Without this, your declaration is invalid, no matter how strong your other combinations.
- Turn Structure: On each turn, you draw exactly one card (from the closed deck or the open discard pile) and discard one card. This continues until a player arranges all 13 cards into valid melds and declares.
- Scoring: Number cards (2‑10) are worth their face value. Face cards (J, Q, K) and Aces are worth 10 points each. Jokers are worth 0 points. Declaring ends the round, and opponents‘ leftover unmatched cards count as points against them.
9.3 Winning Strategies — Skills That Cross Over
The strategic mindset you‘ve honed in other games transfers surprisingly well to Rummy91:
1. Observe before acting. In any game, success depends on reading your opponent. In Rummy91, every card your opponent discards is a window into their hand. Watch for patterns and adjust your strategy accordingly.
2. Prioritise your pure sequence. This is the foundation of a winning hand—just like establishing a strong opening in any competitive game, securing your pure sequence first makes everything else easier.
3. Manage high‑value cards carefully. Face cards and Aces carry 10 points each, making them dangerous liabilities if left unmelded. Discard them early unless they‘re part of a near‑complete sequence.
4. Use jokers strategically. Jokers can substitute for any missing card in impure sequences and sets. Save them for the trickiest combinations rather than wasting them on easy matches.
5. Know when to fold. If after several turns your hand has no path to a pure sequence, taking an early penalty is far better than waiting for the round to end and being stuck with a hand full of high‑point cards. Recognising a losing hand early is a skill that separates good players from great ones.
9.4 Why Rummy91 Complements Project Mugen
Ananta demands your full attention—whether you‘re swinging between skyscrapers, chaining combat abilities, or uncovering the mysteries of Nova City. After a long session of high‑energy gameplay, your brain needs a reset.
Rummy91 offers that reset. It‘s turn‑based, strategic, and paced at your own rhythm. You can play a quick round between dives into Nova City or settle in for a longer session when you simply want to clear your head. The stakes are measured in points, not in hours of progress lost.
The beauty of modern digital entertainment is that you don‘t have to choose one world. Some days, you want to soar across Nova City, master the grappling hook, and build the perfect Esper team. Other days, you want to sit back, draw a card, and see if you can build that pure sequence before your opponent declares.
So pre‑register for the Ananta closed beta. Polish your grappling hook skills. Theorycraft your ideal four‑character squad. And while you wait for Nova City‘s doors to open? Pull up Rummy91, deal 13 cards, and let the quiet satisfaction of a well‑played hand take over.