From Project LLL to Cinder City

NCSOFT has officially rebranded its ambitious MMO shooter Project LLL as Cinder City. First announced in 2022, the game was pitched as a massive futuristic online shooter powered by Unreal Engine 5, with promises of large-scale battles and a persistent open world. Initially slated for a 2024 release, the title slipped into delay, leaving many to wonder about its fate.

With this rebranding, NCSOFT and development partner BigFire Games have reassured fans that the project is still alive and evolving — though no new gameplay footage was shown.

A Futuristic Seoul in Ruins

At its core, Cinder City is described as a story-rich MMO shooter set in an alternate future where 23rd-century technology collides with 21st-century society. The action unfolds across a post-apocalyptic version of Seoul, with a world designed to replicate real-world locations in stunning detail. NCSOFT emphasises authenticity, not only in its environments but also in its approach to combat.

The developers are doubling down on realistic gunplay, highlighting tactical depth, precision, and immersion as central to the experience. While the latest announcement did not confirm whether the monstrous enemies teased in the 2022 trailer will still appear, the mix of human conflict and potential supernatural threats leaves room for surprises.

What Comes Next for Cinder City

No release date or platforms have been confirmed for Cinder City, and with its scale of ambition, it may still be some time before fans get hands-on experience. However, the rebrand suggests that NCSOFT is positioning the game as a primary tentpole in its future lineup, potentially to stand alongside other industry heavyweights in the live-service shooter space.

For now, fans can only speculate about how Cinder City will evolve and whether it can deliver on its promise of a truly immersive MMO shooter experience set in one of gaming’s most authentic futuristic cityscapes.