Ananta producer reveals second massive open-world map inspired by Shanghai and Hangzhou
At Gamescom 2026, Ananta producer Ash Qi revealed a second open-world map, Chongxiao, inspired by Shanghai and Hangzhou, promising dozens of hours of story content when the game launches in 2027.
“Nova City was the first map we created,” Qi said. “Chongxiao is something we knew we had to make about a year into developing Nova City. In terms of scale, Chongxiao is quite a bit bigger than Nova City, but each map has its own identity, with different stories and a distinct atmosphere.” Qi described Nova City as leaning into a modern, entertainment-driven vibe with a livelier, occasionally chaotic energy, while Chongxiao offers more advanced technology, richer cultural content, and large-scale tourist attractions.
The two cities also look dramatically different. Nova City resembles a blend of Tokyo and Los Angeles, while Chongxiao draws more explicitly on Chinese influences. Qi revealed that the team is currently building Lingyun, a city within Chongxiao, and that the inspiration comes from Shanghai and Hangzhou, where the developers live and work. “Both cities have very striking everyday scenery and iconic modern landmarks,” Qi explained. “Our goal was to have the real cities as a foundation and layer Ananta's setting on top of it.”
The latest trailer shows real-world features from those places, including a skyscraper nearly identical to Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower. Chongxiao is built around the Weilan Lake, closely modelled on Hangzhou’s West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that appears on China’s one-yuan banknote. Hangzhou’s Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, three small stone pagodas, are also visible in the trailer.
Qi stressed that the team is not recreating these places one-to-one. “We’re giving them new settings and memorable adventures shaped by our IP and story needs,” he said. Ananta has already shown off a range of mechanics, including driving, melee combat, third-person shooting, wingsuits, and web-slinging. The cities themselves will offer more typical activities. “Anything you’d want to do in a modern city: shopping, grabbing a bite at a restaurant, catching a live music show, or dancing the night away, it’s all there,” said Qi. “You can even invite your favorite character to do these things with you. Each city also offers its own distinct activities based on what makes it unique. In Chongxiao, for example, you can go boating to experience Weilan Lake.”
Ananta is scheduled to launch for PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile on January 15, 2027.