In 2023, E3 was canceled, leaving gamers hungry for news of what’s on the horizon. What games should we be looking out and preparing for? What should we make room for on our must-play lists? NetEase, a leading force in the gaming industry, has answered these questions with their NetEase Connect 2023 Annual Product Launch event. Whether you're a hardcore gamer seeking intense shooters, strategic masterminds yearning for immersive experiences, or casual gaming fans looking for engaging multiplayer adventures, NetEase has delivered an array of thrilling announcements to satisfy gamers everywhere.
Bring On the Games!
The event featured an impressive lineup of 19 games, including several we were excited to get more details on. We’ve covered announcements of many games showcased at the event and were eager for more information to share. Gamers may already be familiar with several IPs NetEase is known for, but here are a few quick notes about the games shown at this year’s event.
The Lord of the Rings: Rise to War is an officially licensed mobile strategy game that recreates the world of Middle-Earth with a focus on its attention to detail and the source material! Players can form their fellowship, establish fortified settlements, assemble their armies, and live their own War of the Ring.
Harry Potter: Magic Awakened is a card collection and MMORPG game set in the enchanting world of Hogwarts. Thanks to the game’s engaging gameplay, immersive world-building, and the ability to create your own character and attend classes, it’s managed to captivate millions of fans worldwide. The NetEase Connect revealed that Harry Potter: Magic Awakened soared to the top of both the paid and free charts, surpassing 50 million downloads in just 7 hours after release.
Infinite Lagrange, which we covered recently, is a space exploration game where you travel the universe mining for resources, building ships, exploring galaxies, and protecting yourself from pirates and other explorers.
Identity V is the first asymmetrical horror mobile game with a Victorian-era art style and a gothic twist. You enter the game as a detective or hunter in 1v4 gameplay as you race to solve the mystery in randomized maps and escape the killer.
Justice Online Mobile is an MMORPG set in ancient China, incorporating elements of traditional Chinese culture, like: martial arts, mythical creatures, and traditional architecture – all with a creative twist on how players interact with the world around them.
Justice Online Mobile offers players the opportunity to craft and influence the constantly evolving world around them. Non-playable characters dynamically respond and adapt to players' choices and actions and within this virtual realm, players can engage in immersive and realistic interactions with the diverse cast of characters thanks to intelligent AI-based NPC technology that NetEase designed years ago.
Infinite Borders is NetEase's new simulation game set in a Three Kingdoms-themed terrain, combining ancient Eastern elements. What sets Infinite Borders apart is its unique season structure, allowing players to conquer the world anew each season while encountering different enemies and allies. Players can assume various roles like strategist, spy, commander, or alliance leader, allowing them to experience the game from different perspectives. The "Conquest Season" introduces specific gameplay mechanics tailored to each scenario, offering a distinct and immersive experience every season.
A title gamers should be familiar with is NARAKA: BLADEPOINT. This 60-player battle royale experience is unlike anything else we’ve played. A battle between two ancient gods eons ago created an artifact of legendary power, the Mask of Immortality. Now you are one of the many heroes looking to claim that powerful treasure for yourself.
Players worldwide have gathered on Morus Island to engage in fast-paced combat that features a wide array of weaponry that runs the gamut from katanas to muskets. Conquer the competition by wall running, zipping across mountains and buildings with grappling hooks, and parkour effortlessly as you hunt down unsuspecting foes to claim the Mask of Immortality as your own. The game already has more than 10 million players waiting to greet you.
Once Human, is a new weird sandbox survival game by Starry Studio set in the aftermath of an apocalypse that altered the fabric of reality. A world where bloodthirsty creatures roam the earth while secret shadow organizations seek to take dominion and control it.
Horror fans may be interested in Dead by Daylight Mobile. This 4v1 multiplayer game allows you to play as a ruthless Killer or as one of four Survivors attempting to escape a gruesome death. You can either hunt and sacrifice or hide and escape. Which side will you choose？
The futuristic street racing game Ace Racer is part Tron and part Need for Speed. Race to the finish line with the help of a variety of customization options. But don’t just get to the finish line – drive with style! In addition to the customization options, each race awards players for stylish drifts, turbo boosts, and more.
Vikingard is a casual simulation mobile RPG inspired by the hit TV series Vikings. Players find themselves in the role of a tribal leader tasked with rebuilding their clan, which is on the verge of destruction. With dwindling prestige and the harsh Scandinavian winter closing in, your people look to you for leadership. Expand your territory, cultivate crops, preside over trials as their Jarl, and engage in fierce battles with warriors in true Viking fashion. Vikingard offers fully fleshed-out characters, an engaging storyline, and dynamic gameplay. Vikingard has recently commenced its third collaborative event with the highly praised "Vikings" series, which has garnered immense popularity among players worldwide.
Lost Light is a free-to-play survival shooter game for PC and mobile with 10M+ registered players, and once ranked in the top 30 trending new games in the Google Play Store.
Those looking for a sports game can download Dunk City Dynasty. A mobile game featuring NBA stars Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, Jordan Clarkson, and more. Play against other players, team up with friends, and build your squad to rule the court. One-click team formation, innovative 11-point game modes, and dynasty mode are some options that make this an excellent mobile game for basketball fans.
Another interesting mash-up of different genres is the high-stakes espionage-themed game of hide & seek Mission Zero. A captivating blend of genres, Mission Zero combines elements of espionage and hide & seek gameplay. Players assume the role of hunter or spy, engaging in a thrilling game of cat & mouse. With unique abilities, nerve-wracking escapes, and an array of item-based tactics, players must outwit their opponents. The game delivers an intense sense of tension as players navigate the dynamics of pursuit and evasion, creating an immersive experience of psychological warfare and strategic deception.
Ashfall is being billed as the first cross-platform (PC and mobile) post-apocalypse shooter MMORPG ever made. The world’s economy has deteriorated in a not-so-distant future, and a violent conflict between humankind and artificial intelligence has gripped this futuristic wasteland. Players will embark on an adventure into the broken world to pursue destiny.
Fans looking for a casual party game for mobile devices should check out Eggy Party, where you’ll compete against other players in creative and hilarious minigames. Players can customize their characters with different adorable outfits, emotes, and expressions to stand out from their peers while dodging giant eggs barreling down toward them or running through an obstacle course toward the finish line. The game also features a unique user-generated content feature that enables players to create their own maps and gameplay styles.
Badlanders is a survival looter shooter where you’ll face other survivors and scavenge for treasure in a post-apocalyptic world. While it may sound familiar, there’s a twist. In Badlanders, you must escape to keep your hard-earned loot before time runs out. Cash out, or get knocked out. Your fortunes can change in the blink of an eye.
Epic of Tia - Genesis Project was one of the most intriguing projects shared at the event. It is an open, robust, easy-to-use MMORPG creation platform for anyone to create their own game without boundaries or barriers. Automatic server creation, an all-in-one integrated editor and game client, assisted publishing, and the ability to be compensated for what you create, make this a potentially industry-shaping game.
Finally, NetEase Esports Center, a thrilling venture by NetEase Games, stands as one of their latest projects. This platform serves as a hub for all things related to NetEase's esports endeavors, including the latest updates on tournaments, events, and dynamic partnerships with esteemed esports organizations and game developers. Stay connected to the pulse of the esports world through this exciting platform, where you can witness the evolution of competitive gaming unfold before your eyes.
Whether you’re into survival horror, historical simulation, racing, or card collecting – the NetEase Connect 2023 Annual Product Launch event had a game for everyone.
Rewatch Now
On top of these announcements, the NetEase Connect event also had special guests, including Award-winning composers Hans Zimmer and Steve Mazzaro, known for their work on films like Iron Man, The Dark Knight Rises, and Inception.
The NetEase Connect 2023 Annual Product Launch Event streamed live on May 20th on YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, Facebook, and Taptap. However, you can catch the replay HERE. We’ll be there to bring you all the future game updates and announcements with more in depth breakdowns as they continue to come out. If you download one of the games listed online, maybe we’ll see you soon!
