Developer Neon Giant has confirmed its intention to transform its 2021 cyberpunk action RPG, The Ascent, into a full-fledged franchise. Speaking at gamescom, studio co-founder and creative director Arcade Berg revealed that the company has developed a franchise plan with support from its parent company, Krafton.
"It's something we always wanted to do," Berg stated. "Creatively, after we were done with the first The Ascent — that was a smashing success for us — creatively, we just wanted to go somewhere else. We weren't ready to do more The Ascent there and then." He added that the team's size and investment at the time also prevented them from immediately pursuing a sequel.
Neon Giant is currently focused on its upcoming first-person cyberpunk game with immersive sim elements, No Law, slated for a 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. However, the new backing from Krafton allows the studio to pursue more ambitious projects and take creative risks. This support has been instrumental in building the franchise strategy for The Ascent.
"One of the great things that we are now working with Krafton is that we now have backing and support that we can take creative risks," Berg explained. "So together with them, we've actually built a franchise plan. We're moving The Ascent from a game to a franchise. And we'll be dropping more news as we figure things out, because it's a longer-term plan. But it's really exciting for us to now know that we have backing and support to do more. And what that is, I can't really go into details of."
The original The Ascent, released in 2021, garnered over 12 million players and was praised for its engaging twin-stick action, detailed environments, and distinct cyberpunk aesthetic. IGN's review noted its satisfying gunplay and ultra-violence in a neon-soaked world as standout features, though it found the story and characters less memorable.
Krafton previously announced a significant update for The Ascent, scheduled for November 2026, which aims to enhance the experience for both solo and co-op players. The update will include improvements to co-op teleportation, the encounter system, and the reliability of save games and player progression. This update arrives five years after the game's initial launch.
Krafton has also teased that The Ascent brand will expand into new genres, prompting speculation about the direction of potential future installments. The exact nature of The Ascent 2 or subsequent titles remains undisclosed, leaving open the possibility of the franchise exploring genres beyond its original twin-stick action RPG roots.