Ananta Release Date: JPMorgan Shifts Forecast to 2027

A JPMorgan research report published today has revised its internal forecast for Ananta's global launch, moving it from the second half of 2026 to the first half of 2027. Here's a full breakdown of what the report actually says, what it doesn't say, and what you should realistically expect.

What JPMorgan's Report Actually Says

JPMorgan Chase issued a research note today lowering its target price for NetEase shares · from HK$295 to HK$280 for Hong Kong-listed shares (09999.HK), and from US$190 to US$180 for US-listed shares (NTES.US).

The reason cited is a 3% reduction in NetEase's 2026 earnings-per-share forecast, attributed directly to delays in upcoming game launches. Within that report, JPMorgan revised two key title forecasts for NetEase's pipeline:

• Sea of Remnants · now expected in Q3 2026 (previously Q2 2026)
• Ananta · now expected in the first half of 2027, or 1H 2027 (previously 2H 2026)

Crucially, JPMorgan simultaneously reaffirmed its Overweight rating on NetEase stock and kept it as its top pick in China's digital entertainment sector over a 6-to-12-month horizon. The revised forecast reflects a delay, not a loss of confidence in the game itself.

This Is a Forecast, Not an Official Announcement

Banks like JPMorgan track game pipelines to model revenue expectations for investors. Their forecasts are informed by industry signals, earnings calls, and market analysis · but they have been wrong before, and they can be wrong again in either direction.

What this means in practice: 1H 2027 is now the most credible external estimate available, but the actual launch could come earlier or later depending on NetEase's internal decisions.

What Was Previously Expected

Before today's report, the community expectation · based on previous JPMorgan modeling and NetEase's own communication · pointed to a second half of 2026 launch window.

Ananta (formerly Project Mugen, officially renamed in late 2024) completed its first Closed Beta Test in China in January 2026, running from January 16 to January 20 on PC. At that point, a 2026 global launch still appeared plausible. The Q1 2026 CBT feedback and NetEase's adjusted pipeline appear to have pushed that timeline back by roughly two to three quarters.

What We Know for Certain

To cut through the speculation, here's what is officially confirmed as of today:

Why the Delay Isn't Necessarily Bad News

A delay in a live-service game is not uncommon, and in Ananta's case it may signal something positive: NetEase is not rushing a game that has 17 million pre-registrations and significant investor attention behind it.

JPMorgan's continued Overweight rating and top-pick designation tells you what the financial market thinks · they see the delay as a short-term earnings shift, not a red flag on the game's commercial prospects. Ananta alongside Sea of Remnants remains a central pillar of NetEase's growth thesis for analysts.

The extra development time also gives Naked Rain room to address CBT feedback before a global launch that will compete directly with established titles in the urban action RPG space.

When Will Ananta Officially Announce Its Release Date?

NetEase has not provided a timeline for when a global release date will be officially revealed. Based on patterns from similar titles in the genre, an official announcement typically comes 4-8 weeks before the actual launch date, often accompanied by a global pre-registration campaign ramp-up and a major trailer drop.

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This article will be updated as new information becomes available. Last updated June 29, 2026.