Tencent Unveils Arthurian Knights Concept to Attract Western Audience

In an insightful interview with Wccftech, the developers of Tides of Annihilation from Eclipse Glow Games delved into the game's unique concept and future plans. Here’s a closer look at what makes this game stand out and what fans can expect.

Tides of Annihilation Aims For A Western Audience

The Central Concept Of Arthurian Myths And Knights

During Gamescom 2024, Eclipse Glow Games, a China-based studio, shared with Wccftech the reasons behind choosing a Western setting for Tides of Annihilation. The decision was influenced by their financial backer, Tencent, who set different expectations for this game compared to their other project, Black Myth: Wukong. "This game and Black Myth: Wukong are two projects invested in by Tencent, and there were different expectations set on these two projects. Black Myth: Wukong targeted the Chinese market, but for this project, we targeted a Western audience, so we chose the Arthurian legends," explained the game’s producer. The central concept revolves around knights, specifically King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Set in a post-apocalyptic modern-day London, Tides of Annihilation follows the journey of Gwendolyn, the apparent last human survivor amidst an Outworld invasion. The game blends an alternate modern setting with fantasy elements inspired by Arthurian myths.

Devil May Cry-inspired Combat And Over 30 Bosses

Action-RPG enthusiasts will notice the striking similarity between Tides of Annihilation’s combat and that of the iconic Devil May Cry series. The developers confirmed this influence, stating, "It’s definitely more like Devil May Cry," but with an added feature of difficulty selection to cater to a broader audience. The game offers simple controls for less hardcore players, enhancing accessibility.

Players can customize their combat style with four weapons and over ten different Knights to choose from as sidekicks. Gwendolyn discovers her ability to command the legendary Knights of the Round Table, who assist her in navigating the ruins of London to uncover the truth behind the invasion. With over 30 bosses, each boasting unique abilities, the game promises challenging and engaging gameplay. "Players will have to prepare for very challenging boss fights," the developers emphasized.

Plans Of Creating An Anthology

Eclipse Glow Games also expressed their ambition to expand the Tides of Annihilation franchise into an anthology, exploring different settings and mythologies with new protagonists. "But we would still want to use the Outworld invasion concept that we're using for Tides of Annihilation," they noted, indicating that this theme would be central to the anthology. The success of the first title is crucial for realizing these future plans and bringing more mythologies to life.

Currently in its beta phase, Tides of Annihilation is slated for a tentative launch in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players will join Gwendolyn on her quest to save not only London but also the intertwined fantasy realm of Avalon.