NetEase and 24 Entertainment Studio released a three-minute story trailer for the upcoming third-person linear action-adventure game Blood Message this month [1].

The reveal highlights a shift toward historical action-adventure titles that leverage specific cultural conflicts to drive narrative stakes. By centering the plot on a high-stakes mission to deliver a message, the developers are positioning the game as a character-driven experience within a rigid historical framework.

Blood Message is set in 848 AD [2] during the Dunhuang Uprisings in China [3]. The plot follows a protagonist tasked with sending a message eastward, a journey that the developers said could alter the fate of his homeland [4].

The project is a collaboration between 24 Entertainment Studio (Lin'an) and NetEase Thunder Fire [3]. The cinematic trailer, which debuted in June 2026 [1], provides a glimpse into the game's visual style and the volatile environment of the Dunhuang region during the ninth century.

As a linear action-adventure title, the game focuses on a structured progression rather than an open-world design [1]. This approach allows the developers to tightly control the pacing of the story, and the delivery of the historical context surrounding the uprisings [3].

IGN hosts River Jing and Wind Ling presented the footage during a live broadcast, showcasing the cinematic scale of the production [4]. The trailer emphasizes the tension of the era, blending combat with the urgency of the protagonist's mission [4].

“Blood Message is set in 848 AD during the Dunhuang Uprisings”

The development of Blood Message suggests a growing trend in the gaming industry to utilize niche historical events, such as the Dunhuang Uprisings, to create distinct atmospheric identities. By opting for a linear structure over an open world, NetEase is prioritizing narrative cohesion and cinematic delivery, which may appeal to players seeking a more focused, story-heavy experience than typical action titles.