Tencent Targets Western Audience with Arthurian Knights in Tides of Annihilation

In an insightful interview with Wccftech, the developers at Eclipse Glow Games shed light on the unique concept behind Tides of Annihilation, a game that intertwines Arthurian legends with a post-apocalyptic London setting. Dive into the details of its innovative concept and what the future holds for this exciting title.

Tides of Annihilation Targets a Western Audience

The Central Concept of Arthurian Myths and Knights

During Gamescom 2024, the team at Eclipse Glow Games, a China-based studio, discussed the strategic direction of Tides of Annihilation with Wccftech. The game's Western setting was influenced by their financial backer, Tencent, which aimed to capture a different market than 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. This decision led to a central concept revolving around knights, evolving into the iconic King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Set in a post-apocalyptic modern-day London, Tides of Annihilation presents a world devastated by an Outworld invasion. The protagonist, Gwendolyn, appears to be the last human standing. While the game is rooted in a contemporary setting, it weaves in fantastical elements inspired by Arthurian myths, creating a rich, immersive narrative.

Devil May Cry-inspired Combat and Over 30 Bosses

Action-RPG enthusiasts will notice the striking resemblance of Tides of Annihilation's combat to that of the beloved Devil May Cry series. The developers confirmed this influence, stating, "It's definitely more like Devil May Cry," but they've also introduced a difficulty selection feature to cater to a broader audience. This makes the game more accessible, with simpler controls for those less experienced with action games.

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 join her in battling through the ruins of London to uncover the truth behind the invasion. With over 30 bosses, each boasting unique abilities, players are in for a challenging and engaging gameplay experience. "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. They aim to explore different settings and mythologies, potentially featuring a new protagonist for each game. "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 remain central to the series. The success of the first title is crucial for realizing this vision and bringing more mythologies and titles 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 follow Gwendolyn as she navigates her fate and strives to save not only London but also the mystical realm of Avalon, which seems to be merging with the real world.