Cinder City | NCsoft new MMO Shooter previously called Project LLL

NCsoft Rebrands Project LLL as Cinder City – a Sci-Fi MMO Shooter

What was once known only by its codename, Project LLL, has officially been revealed as Cinder City. This ambitious new title from South Korean developer NCsoft and its new studio, BigFire Games, is a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game that aims to carve out a new niche by blending the scale of an open world with the intense action of a tactical third-person shooter.

Set for a global release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in 2026, Cinder City drops players into a war-torn, post-apocalyptic vision of Seoul, South Korea. However, this isn’t just another futuristic shooter. The game is built on a unique science-fiction concept where a cataclysmic event has shattered history, causing different timelines to violently collide.

The World and Lore of Cinder City

The narrative of Cinder City is a complex tapestry of alternative history and temporal paradoxes. The developers have meticulously crafted a world where three distinct eras have been fused into one chaotic reality:

• The 10th-century Byzantine Empire
• 21st-century modern-day Seoul
• A hyper-advanced 23rd century

This “time-blended” setting allows for a unique mix of ancient architecture, modern landmarks, and futuristic technology coexisting in a single, devastated landscape. The game’s title, Cinder City, directly reflects this world, symbolizing humanity’s struggle to reignite hope in a ruined metropolis.

To build this ambitious world, the development team drew inspiration from a respected canon of science-fiction literature and film, citing the works of Isaac Asimov (Foundation), Frank Herbert (Dune), and Philip K. Dick (Blade Runner, The Man in the High Castle) as key influences on the game’s lore and themes.

Gameplay: A Hybrid of MMO and Tactical Shooter

Cinder City is designed to be a “new genre” that merges three distinct gameplay styles into one seamless experience.

A Massive Open World Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game features a massive, seamless open-world map spanning over 30 square kilometers. NCsoft’s goal is to create an immersive experience with no loading screens, using procedural generation to create dynamic encounters that react to the player’s actions, moving beyond the static quests of traditional MMOs.

Tactical Third-Person Combat The core gameplay is a tactical third-person shooter with a strong emphasis on realistic gunplay and movement. Layered on top of this are futuristic abilities granted by customizable combat suits and advanced gear. Players can use skills like active camouflage, jump jets, and deployable healing fields and energy barriers. Stealth and strategy are key, as players can use drones to scout and plan their attacks.

Vehicular and Mech Warfare A defining feature of Cinder City is the integration of pilotable vehicles and large-scale combat mechs. Much like in the Titanfall series, players can hijack and pilot heavily armed, bipedal mechs, creating a dynamic battlefield where infantry, light vehicles, and powerful mechs clash in asymmetric warfare.

Instead of a traditional character creator, players will choose from a roster of predefined heroes, each with their own established backstory and motivations, suggesting a strong focus on character-driven storytelling.

Continue Exploring and Discussing cool games like Cinder City

With its unique blend of genres and high-concept sci-fi world, Cinder City is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious new IPs of 2026. For more exciting games and gaming news, check out MetaForge News section and join our community Discord to discuss these new releases and get more hyped for new cool games with other passionate gamers!