Ananta is expanding its open world ambitions with two large city maps that are designed to offer different environments, activities and stories when the free game launches in early 2027.
The game will feature Nova City and Chongxiao, with the second location being considerably larger than the first. Producer Ash Qi says the development team wants Ananta to become the biggest open world game in the free to play market, while offering dozens of hours of story content alongside a wide range of city based activities.
Nova City was the first environment created for the project. During development, the team decided it needed another major location, leading to the creation of Chongxiao.
Nova City and Chongxiao will have different identities
The two locations are not simply variations of the same city.
Nova City is designed around a modern entertainment focused setting with a lively and sometimes chaotic atmosphere. Chongxiao takes a different direction, combining more advanced technology with stronger cultural influences and large tourist attractions.
| Feature | Nova City | Chongxiao |
|---|---|---|
| General style | Modern entertainment focused city | Futuristic city with stronger cultural influences |
| Atmosphere | Lively and occasionally chaotic | Technology and tourism focused |
| Relative scale | Large | Considerably larger than Nova City |
| Major activities | Shopping, restaurants, music and nightlife | Similar city activities plus location specific experiences |
| Inspiration | Mix of modern global city influences | Shanghai and Hangzhou |
| Notable feature | Coastal urban environment | Weilan Lake and large landmarks |
One area currently being developed inside Chongxiao is Lingyun. Its visual foundation draws heavily from Shanghai and Hangzhou, where members of the development team live and work.
The developers are using recognizable architecture and scenery as inspiration rather than attempting direct recreations.
Chongxiao's Weilan Lake, for example, is based closely on Hangzhou's West Lake. The latest footage also includes scenery resembling the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon and a skyscraper similar to Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Tower.
Cities will support more than missions
Ananta's open world is also being designed around everyday activities rather than limiting players to combat and story missions.
The developers say players will be able to shop, visit restaurants, attend live music performances and go dancing. Characters can also be invited to participate in some activities alongside the player.
Individual cities will have activities connected to their surroundings. Chongxiao, for example, will allow players to go boating on Weilan Lake.
Previous gameplay footage has already shown a broader collection of systems including driving, melee combat, third person shooting, wingsuit travel and web style traversal through the environment.
The combination suggests Ananta is being built around both structured missions and free exploration across its cities.
Chongxiao became part of the project during development
The decision to create Chongxiao was made roughly a year into work on Nova City.
Although Chongxiao eventually became the larger environment, the developers say each map is intended to maintain its own stories, atmosphere and activities rather than functioning as one continuous urban area.
Ananta is scheduled to launch on January 15, 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5 and mobile devices. It will use a free to play model, with Nova City and the larger Chongxiao forming the main urban environments announced so far.
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