China's Hypergryph has revealed the initial gameplay of Arknights: Endfield, which is set to be released in early 2026.

      Credit: Arknights: Endfield

      Chinese game developer Hypergryph showcased the first live gameplay demonstration of its forthcoming title, Arknights: Endfield, during Apple's annual product launch event last week. This game, a new addition to the Arknights series, is set to launch globally in early 2026 for PlayStation 5, PC, iOS, and Android.

      Why it matters: Released in 2019, the Arknights mobile game has emerged as one of China's most beloved titles, recognized for its tower-defense mechanics and anime-inspired visuals. Apple's decision to highlight a Chinese-developed game at the iPhone 17 launch emphasizes the increasing impact of China's gaming industry on the global landscape.

      Details: According to the live gameplay presentation at Apple's launch event, Arknights: Endfield adopts a 3D real-time strategy RPG format. Developed using the Unity engine, it is anticipated to offer high-quality character models and dynamic lighting effects.

      Pre-registration for Arknights: Endfield has begun globally, with the company reporting over three million sign-ups on its website. The game will be featured in hands-on demos at the Tokyo Game Show from September 25 to 28, marking its first significant public testing before launch.

      The design of the gameplay environment merges advanced technology with post-apocalyptic themes, showcasing elements like roaring Originium engines in the wild, interlinked industrial systems driven by automated production lines, and desolate landscapes extending toward the horizon—all depicting a world impacted by disasters and ongoing crises.

      The combat system revolves around the cooperation of four-member squads, requiring players to react in real time to unusual enemy types and to strategically position their units to secure resources and explore unfamiliar territories.

      Context: In a presentation at Gamescom 2025 last month, Hypergryph revealed that players will assume the role of the "Administrator," responsible for leading the Endfield industrial zone in the effort to rebuild civilization in a challenging wilderness. This storyline builds upon the original title's central theme of survival against overwhelming odds.

      Estimates from SensorTower indicate that Arknights generated around RMB 2.6 billion ($355 million) in global revenue in 2024.

      Data from ActivePlayer.io suggests that Arknights currently enjoys approximately 715,400 monthly active users (MAU) across platforms like iOS and Android.

      Jessie Wu is a tech journalist based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming sector for TechNode. You can reach her via email at [email protected].