What to know
- Cinder City is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026, but no exact release date has been announced.
- The first pre-alpha playtest runs from August 14–16, 2026, with limited access for U.S. players aged 16 and older.
- The current PC requirements are unusually demanding, requiring at least 32 GB of RAM, though the developer says these may change before launch.
- No official voice cast or character cast has been revealed yet.
If you’ve been following Project LLL, you’ll know it has officially evolved into Cinder City, a new open-world MMO tactical shooter from NCSoft and BigFire Games. Following its reveal at Gamescom, the game has attracted attention for its massive post-apocalyptic version of Seoul, cinematic storytelling, large-scale battles, and surprisingly high PC requirements.
Although many details remain under wraps, the developers have confirmed several important pieces of information regarding the game’s launch, supported platforms, gameplay, playtest, and hardware requirements. Here’s everything currently known.
Cinder City at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | BigFire Games (NCSoft) |
| Publisher | NCSoft |
| Former Name | Project LLL |
| Genre | Open-world MMO tactical third-person shooter |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Release Window | Second half (H2) of 2026 |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, GeForce NOW |
| Setting | Post-apocalyptic futuristic Seoul |
| Gameplay | Solo, Co-op, PvE and PvPvE |
| Current Cast Status | Not announced |
When is Cinder City releasing?
Cinder City currently has a release window of the second half of 2026. However, NCSoft has not announced an exact release date.
The game made its public debut under its new name during Gamescom 2025 after previously being known as Project LLL. Since then, the studio has continued showcasing gameplay while preparing for multiple testing phases before launch.
At the moment, players should expect additional playtests before the full release, meaning the launch schedule could become more specific later this year.
Which platforms will Cinder City launch on?
NCSoft has confirmed that Cinder City will release for current-generation platforms.
| Platform | Status |
|---|---|
| PC | Confirmed |
| PlayStation 5 | Confirmed |
| Xbox Series X/S | Confirmed |
| GeForce NOW | Confirmed |
| Nintendo Switch | Not announced |
| PlayStation 4 | Not announced |
| Xbox One | Not announced |
The game is being developed around Unreal Engine 5 and modern hardware, making a release on older console generations unlikely.
What are the current PC requirements?
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Cinder City has been its hardware requirements.
The current Steam listing asks for 32 GB of RAM as the minimum, while recommending 64 GB, which is significantly higher than most modern PC games.
| Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| CPU: Intel Core i5-10400 / Ryzen 5 3600 | Intel Core i7-14700K / Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
| GPU: RTX 2060 / Radeon RX 6600 XT | RTX 4060 / Radeon RX 7700 XT |
| Memory: 32 GB RAM | 64 GB RAM |
| Storage | SSD Required |
The developer has clarified that these specifications are based on a pre-alpha build, and optimization work is still ongoing. As development progresses, the final launch requirements may become less demanding.
Pre-alpha playtest requirements
Before the full release, NCSoft is running its first pre-alpha playtest.
Playtest schedule
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 14–16, 2026 |
| Region | United States only |
| Minimum Age | 16 years |
| NDA | Required |
| Registration | Official website and Steam |
How to participate
- Visit the official Cinder City playtest registration page.
- Sign in using your Steam account.
- Complete the registration form.
- Wait for selection emails if chosen for the test.
- If accepted, download the pre-alpha build before the testing period begins.
Players should note that this playtest is under a strict NDA, meaning gameplay recordings, screenshots, livestreams, and public discussion of the test content are prohibited.
What is Cinder City about?
Cinder City is set in a devastated version of future Seoul, where advanced technology, collapsing civilization, and dangerous factions have transformed the city into a massive battlefield.
Players take on the role of a futuristic soldier or knight searching for their missing daughter while fighting through hostile territories populated by human enemies, mutated creatures, powerful machines, and giant bosses.
Unlike traditional shooters, Cinder City combines:
- Large open-world exploration
- Tactical third-person combat
- Solo and cooperative gameplay
- PvE encounters
- PvPvE activities
- Large boss battles
- Dynamic environments
The developers have emphasized teamwork while still allowing players to tackle much of the content alone.
Is there an official cast?
At the time of writing, NCSoft has not revealed the game’s voice cast or character cast.
Although trailers introduce several story characters—including the protagonist and their missing daughter—the developers have not announced any actors or voice performers.
| Cast Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Main protagonist | Not revealed |
| Missing daughter | Not revealed |
| Supporting characters | Not revealed |
| Voice actors | Not announced |
| Motion capture cast | Not announced |
More casting information is expected closer to launch.
While an exact release date is still pending, Cinder City is shaping up to be one of the most technically ambitious MMO shooters planned for 2026. Its blend of open-world exploration, tactical third-person combat, cooperative gameplay, and cinematic storytelling offers something different from traditional online shooters.
The unusually demanding PC requirements have certainly sparked discussion, but NCSoft has already indicated that optimization is ongoing. Until the final build arrives, players should treat the current specifications as provisional. Meanwhile, anyone eager to try the game early can look forward to the pre-alpha playtest, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
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