Zone Nine

The vision of Zone Nine Survival is to develop a fully immersive MMO RPG blending storytelling, strategic gameplay, and emergent narratives powered by the game’s distinctive AI content generation system. The game explores themes of survival, resilience, and human ingenuity within a world redefined by a global cataclysm, aiming to create a richly engaging experience that mirrors real-time player choices.

Inspired by the original IP “Heaven No. 9,” the game’s storyline centers around Lou, a protagonist shaped by a desolate, zombie-filled world. This New Era, dominated by “Machine Gods,” offers players unique narrative arcs that evolve with their decisions, placing them in a world where survival and discovery unfold through actions and alliances. The storyline establishes a bleak yet hopeful journey, inviting players to engage in a narrative of survival and transformation.

The project’s innovative modular development approach allows for the gradual release of new game modules, enriching the universe and refining the gameplay mechanics. Adopting a “Build in Public” philosophy, Zone Nine Survival engages with its community early on, allowing them to influence the game’s direction. Regular updates based on player input contribute to a thriving and evolving game universe. To follow their latest updates, visit their official Twitter account.

Zone Nine has a detailed roadmap, broken into multiple phases to guarantee a high-quality gameplay experience. The project commenced in 2022 with conceptualization, followed by prototyping in 2023, and the addition of core modules, such as survival and crafting, in early 2024. The game’s pre-alpha phase, titled “Zone Nine Nihilation,” began in Q3 2024, showcasing combat and initial survival elements.

In Q1 2025, exploration and environmental modules will be added, with Q2 and Q3 2025 focusing on social systems, guild mechanics, and a player-driven economy. The game’s final phase of integration and polish will extend through 2026, leading to an official launch in 2027. Zone Nine aims to evolve continuously based on community feedback, ensuring a vibrant, responsive gaming environment. Explore more about their roadmap on the Zone Nine documentation page.

Zone Nine Survival is backed by the strategic and financial strength of the Ancient8 ecosystem, a leading force in Web3 gaming infrastructure. The project’s partnership with Ancient8 brings critical resources and technical expertise, enabling innovative blockchain-driven mechanics and immersive gameplay. Ancient8 is supported by top-tier investors, including Dragonfly Capital, Pantera Capital, Animoca Brands, Hashed, Jump Crypto, and Coinbase, providing substantial support for the game’s expansion within the Web3 space.

The collaboration with Ancient8 leverages their ETH-based Layer 2 technology, tailored for scaling blockchain games, and a robust ecosystem that includes tools such as AI-driven NPCs and Zk-VRF technology. This strategic alliance enables Zone Nine to deliver seamless gameplay and a player-owned economy, supporting in-game asset ownership and trade. Through this partnership, Zone Nine is also integrated into Ancient8's broader community, where developers and gamers interact within a collaborative framework of shared servers and decentralized infrastructure.

Currently, Zone Nine is accessible in pre-alpha, allowing players to experience “Zone Nine Nihilation” with core combat and survival mechanics. This early access offers valuable player feedback, helping developers enhance gameplay and optimize server performance. Keep up with the latest on future access programs via their GitBook gameplay page.