The upcoming Chinese title Ananta, previously known as Project Mugen, has found itself in the spotlight for reasons beyond its gameplay. Developed by Naked Rain and NetEase Montreal and published by NetEase, the open-world action RPG has been rebranded and redesigned, with developers reportedly positioning it to compete with Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 6. However, the shift in direction has been met with allegations of borrowed animations and concerns over its massive file size on PC.
According to reports, Ananta’s map blends stylistic elements of Sleeping Dogs and GTA 5. While ambitious in scale, early discussions have focused on technical demands. Some estimates suggested the PC version could require up to 233 to 250 GB of storage, although later revisions placed the figure closer to 150 to 180 GB. The base game alone is said to exceed 100 GB, with expectations of further growth as live service content rolls out. Another set of details described scalable installation options, with as little as 40 GB required for 720p and up to 100 GB for 4K assets in version 1.0.
Beyond its size, the game faces scrutiny for allegedly copying animations from titles such as Spider-Man, Watch Dogs, and GTA 5. Clips circulating online suggest notable similarities in character movement and combat sequences. While critics argue this undermines originality, some fans counter that not every animation needs to be reinvented, especially given the game’s high-profile association with Sony and promotion on PlayStation platforms. Supporters argue that such backing makes outright theft unlikely without consequences.
Despite the controversy, Ananta is still generating curiosity. Its unusual premise combines urban chaos with fantastical elements, ranging from ostriches sprinting through the streets to surreal encounters with rebellious objects. Whether its ambition will outweigh the concerns remains to be seen as NetEase pushes forward with the release.
Ananta is scheduled to launch as a free-to-play title on PlayStation, PC, and mobile devices, with a release date yet to be confirmed.
