Ananta Developers Highlight Unique Features Amid GTA 6 Comparisons

Ananta, the highly anticipated free-to-play adventure game, has received over 15 million pre-registrations, generating significant excitement within the gaming community. The recent gameplay trailer showcased more than seven minutes of in-game footage, revealing a vibrant open world filled with diverse mechanics, including drone piloting and intense combat scenarios reminiscent of popular titles like Watch Dogs and Yakuza.

Despite its rising popularity, Ananta has faced numerous comparisons to the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6). Fans have noted similarities in driving mechanics and character-switching features, as well as the overarching concept of a realistic virtual environment. One notable comment during Ananta’s presentation humorously suggested that GTA 6 was postponed to avoid competition with Ananta, prompting a deeper exploration of the relationship between these two games.

Distinctive Features of Ananta

In a recent written interview, the development team at Naked Rain expressed their appreciation for the comparisons to GTA 6, but emphasized the significant differences that set Ananta apart. “Although both Ananta and GTA 6 fall into the urban open-world genre, there are still very many key differences between us, from the art style and character stories to many other aspects,” the team stated.

One of the most notable distinctions is Ananta’s setting. While both games take place in urban environments, Ananta is designed with an East Asian influence. The developers noticed that many existing city-themed games are modeled after American locales like Los Angeles and New York. They aim to capture the essence of modern Asian urban life, an experience that remains underrepresented in the gaming landscape. Currently, the game features one city that is still in development but will expand over time to include iconic locations across Asia.

In terms of visual style, Ananta adopts a cel-shaded aesthetic that diverges from the photorealism typically associated with the GTA franchise. The developers revealed that many team members are influenced by anime, which has inspired their artistic direction. “We want to bring these anime-style worlds to life and deliver them to a global audience,” they noted.

Innovative Gameplay Mechanics

Ananta introduces a unique character-switching mechanic, allowing players to transition between different protagonists while maintaining the continuity of their lives. Unlike the character select system in GTA 5, where players would interrupt a character’s daily routine, Ananta allows original characters to continue their activities even when players switch to another character. “Our goal is to design a system that is unique compared to other RPGs, where diverse people and professions coexist in cities,” the developers explained.

This commitment to creating distinct personas rather than simple control points enhances player engagement. The team emphasized that their vision has remained consistent since the project’s inception: to create a game that surpasses players’ imaginations, allowing for a rich and varied virtual life.

Concerns about the free-to-play business model potentially compromising this vision have been addressed by the developers. They assured potential players that Ananta will not feature character gacha mechanics. Instead, monetization will focus primarily on character skins, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the experience of living as different characters without the limitations often associated with free-to-play models.

Customization options will include upgrades for characters’ homes and vehicles, all obtainable through in-game currency, ensuring that players can engage deeply with the game world.

While a firm release window has not yet been established, Ananta is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile platforms. As development progresses, anticipation continues to build, and many will be closely monitoring updates on this exciting new title.