Cinder City, previously known as Project LLL, made a spectacular appearance at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025 with an immersive gameplay trailer that unveiled the thrilling prospects of this much-awaited post-apocalyptic MMO. NCSoft initially introduced Project LLL in 2022 through a visually rich trailer emphasizing gunplay mechanics. Since then, enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating updates, with the recent rebranding to Cinder City marking a significant milestone in its development journey.

Set in a dystopian future version of Seoul, South Korea, Cinder City is a narrative-driven open-world shooter MMORPG crafted with Unreal Engine 5. The game boasts exceptional graphics and fluid gunplay, as highlighted in earlier previews. Beyond standard third-person shooting, previous trailers have showcased an array of mech suits and diverse vehicles, enriching the gameplay experience. While player-versus-player (PvP) elements may be incorporated, the footage released so far emphasizes player-versus-environment (PvE) battles, suggesting a strong focus on cooperative gameplay.

During Gamescom ONL 2025, NCSoft unveiled a new trailer for Cinder City, providing a deeper insight into the game's post-apocalyptic universe and varied gameplay segments. The trailer featured multiple combat scenarios, including intense gunplay, mech suit engagements, helicopter flights, and ground vehicle operations. Although a specific release date was not disclosed, it was confirmed that Cinder City is being developed for PC and major gaming consoles.

The gameplay trailer also highlighted what appears to be a raid boss encounter, reminiscent of epic battles in titles like World of Warcraft. Dozens of players, equipped with mechs, helicopters, and vehicles, collaborated to confront a colossal mech resembling Godzilla in an urban setting. This encounter seems to require coordinated efforts from at least ten players, likely offering substantial rewards. It remains uncertain whether this is a world boss or an instanced event, but the trailer indicates that Cinder City will include multiplayer boss fights upon release.

In addition to Cinder City, NCSoft announced Time Takers at Gamescom ONL, a third-person team-based hero shooter that incorporates time manipulation as a core mechanic for survival and progression. Both games are third-person shooters but differ significantly in theme and scale. NCSoft's extensive experience with successful MMO launches, including Guild Wars, Aion, and Lineage, bodes well for the future of these exciting new projects.