Neon Giant to Expand The Ascent Into Full Franchise With Krafton Support
The studio is transitioning its cyberpunk hit into a long-term IP after reaching 12 million players.
Neon Giant is transforming its cyberpunk action RPG, The Ascent, from a standalone title into a comprehensive franchise. The studio confirmed the strategic shift during gamescom, signaling a long-term commitment to the intellectual property.
Arcade Berg, Neon Giant's creative director and co-founder, stated that the studio is moving the title "from a game to a franchise," noting that more news will follow as the long-term plan is finalized. While a direct sequel was not explicitly named, Berg confirmed that the studio now possesses the necessary backing and support from parent company Krafton to execute this expansion. This growth follows the commercial success of the original title, which has reached over 12 million players since its launch.
Evolution of the Studio
The Ascent originally debuted in 2021 as a twin-stick action RPG, establishing a distinct visual and mechanical identity in the cyberpunk genre. Following the studio's acquisition by Krafton, Neon Giant has diversified its development pipeline. The team is currently working on 'No Law', a first-person immersive sim cyberpunk game scheduled for release in 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
In addition to new projects, the studio continues to support its original hit. A major update for The Ascent is scheduled for November 2026, which will specifically target improvements to system reliability and the co-op experience.
Industry Implications
This transition indicates that Krafton views The Ascent as a commercially viable and scalable IP. By moving toward a franchise model, Neon Giant may leverage its current experience with first-person gameplay—developed during the creation of 'No Law'—to explore new genres. This suggests that future entries in The Ascent universe may deviate from the original isometric twin-stick formula to reach a broader audience or offer different gameplay perspectives.
Future Outlook
While the broad goal of franchise expansion is set, the specific nature of future releases remains unconfirmed. Observers will be watching for whether the studio opts for a traditional sequel or branches into spin-offs that utilize the first-person mechanics currently being honed in 'No Law'. For now, the immediate focus remains on the 2026 technical update and the 2027 launch of their new immersive sim.