NetEase’s open-world Wuxia RPG Where Winds Meet has launched globally to notable early momentum, surpassing 2 million players within its first 24 hours. The milestone follows more than 10 million pre-registrations and reflects significant anticipation for the title outside China. Developed by Everstone Studio, the game extends NetEase’s push toward large-scale, high-fidelity projects that use a free-to-play model without pay-to-win systems.
Rapid Growth Across PC and Console
After its Chinese PC launch in December 2024 and mobile release in January 2025, the global version of Where Winds Meet focuses on PC and console platforms. The rollout led to a swift jump in player activity, with the game reaching a peak of around 250,000 concurrent users on Steam shortly after release. The performance highlights growing overseas interest in historical and mythological Chinese settings, a trend strengthened by the international success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong.
Player Response and Early Feedback
Set during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the game offers more than 100 hours of narrative-driven content within a large open world. Early player response has been broadly positive, particularly toward the game’s visual presentation and its emphasis on traditional Wuxia themes.
However, some criticism focuses on elements carried over from mobile design, including UI density, complex menus, and control systems that feel optimized for touchscreen inputs. Console players have noted that these interface challenges can affect the overall experience, making future updates an ongoing point of attention.
Industry Impact and NetEase’s Strategic Direction
NetEase is framing Where Winds Meet as part of its broader strategy to build cross-platform F2P titles that avoid aggressive monetization mechanics. If the game maintains strong commercial performance, it may serve as a meaningful example of how large-scale F2P releases can succeed without relying on heavy gacha or pay-to-win systems. Niko Partners CEO Lisa Hanson recently spoke with CGTN Europe about the game’s rising global visibility, further underscoring industry interest in its early results.
As the global market continues to warm to Chinese-developed games and historically rooted settings, Where Winds Meet appears positioned to play a visible role in how publishers approach cross-platform RPG design in the coming years. Its reception may also influence how studios incorporate player-friendly monetization strategies into large-scale releases, including those exploring emerging frameworks such as web3-enabled game systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Where Winds Meet?
Where Winds Meet is an open-world Wuxia RPG developed by NetEase’s Everstone Studio. It features narrative-driven content set during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
Is Where Winds Meet free-to-play?
Yes, the game uses a free-to-play model and does not incorporate pay-to-win or heavy gacha systems.
What platforms is Where Winds Meet available on?
The global launch focuses on PC and console platforms. The game is already available on PC and mobile in China.
How many players joined at launch?
The game surpassed 2 million players within its first 24 hours of global release and reached about 250,000 concurrent users on Steam.
What are the main criticisms from players?
Some players have noted that the UI and controls feel heavily influenced by mobile design, contributing to interface complexity, particularly on consoles.
Why is Where Winds Meet significant for the industry?
Its early success may serve as evidence that high-budget F2P RPGs can perform well globally without relying on pay-to-win monetization, influencing future development strategies.
