5 Years Later, Cool Cyberpunk Shooter The Ascent Is Getting a Major Update — and It Sounds Like a Sequel Is in the Works
Publisher Krafton has announced a major update for The Ascent, Neon Giant's cyberpunk twin-stick action RPG, timed to mark the game's fifth anniversary since its 2021 release. The update, arriving in November 2026, focuses on improving reliability and stability rather than adding new content, and the announcement includes hints that a sequel or franchise expansion is in development, which matters given the game's substantial player base.
The November update will improve co-op teleportation, the encounter system, save-game reliability and player-progression reliability, aiming to deliver a smoother experience for both solo and co-op players. Krafton also teased plans to expand The Ascent "across new platforms, genres and future sequels", fuelling speculation about a possible The Ascent 2 or a Nintendo Switch 2 port. The Ascent has attracted over 12 million players since launch, and Neon Giant co-founder Arcade Berg said the update marks "a new chapter" for the franchise's ambitions; the 20-person Swedish studio is simultaneously developing another title, No Law.
In short
- The Ascent gets a major reliability update in November 2026
- Krafton hints at sequels and expansion to new platforms and genres
- The Ascent has surpassed 12 million players since its 2021 debut
Explained simply
The Ascent is a cyberpunk action game released in 2021 by Swedish developer Neon Giant and published by Krafton. It features science-fiction storytelling combined with top-down shooting gameplay that can be played solo or cooperatively. The game has attracted over 12 million players since its launch, building a substantial global player base.
Publisher Krafton has indicated that the franchise will expand into new platforms and genres in the coming years. These plans have sparked speculation among players and observers about potential sequels or spin-offs within the Ascent universe. The announcement marks a new strategic direction for what began as a single-platform release five years ago.
Neon Giant, the 20-person Swedish studio behind the game's original creation, continues to develop new projects alongside work on The Ascent franchise. The studio has signalled its ambitions to grow the IP beyond the original 2021 game. Further details about the franchise's expansion and any new releases remain to be formally announced.
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