Giant Network’s Supernatural Action Team reimagines horror through Chinese folklore and modern gameplay
Giant Network showcased its hit game, Supernatural Action Team, at ChinaJoy 2026, highlighting its blend of Chinese folklore, cooperative gameplay, and innovative AI integration, attracting over 200 million registered users.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
At ChinaJoy 2026, Giant Network emphasized Supernatural Action Team, a multiplayer adventure game that fuses light horror with traditional Chinese cultural elements like Nuo Opera. The game also features advanced AI-driven characters capable of dynamic decision-making and social interaction, positioning AI as a core gameplay technology.
Imagine playing a spooky adventure game where you team up with friends to explore mysterious places. Now, imagine some of your teammates aren't real people, but super smart computer players that can talk to you, make their own plans, and even surprise you by changing sides! That's what a company called Giant Network is doing with its game, using special computer brains called AI to make the game more exciting and unpredictable, blending old Chinese stories with new technology.
Analysis
Reimagining Horror with Chinese Folklore
Giant Network's Supernatural Action Team stands out in the competitive gaming market by uniquely blending traditional Chinese culture with modern gameplay mechanics. The game, which debuted in January 2025, integrates elements from China's intangible cultural heritage, such as Nuo Opera masks and traditional sculptural designs, into its aesthetic and in-game features. This cultural immersion extends to collaborations with inheritors of traditional crafts, like Nuo mask carving, and partnerships with significant cultural IPs including the Forbidden City and Dunhuang Art Museum. By doing so, Giant Network is not only creating a distinctive visual and narrative experience but also exploring new avenues for cultural storytelling within interactive entertainment, making the horror genre more accessible through cooperative play rather than pure terror.
AI as a Dynamic Gameplay Element
A significant innovation highlighted by Giant Network is the integration of AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), directly into gameplay. Supernatural Action Team introduced an AI challenge mode in January, where AI-controlled characters engage in dynamic decision-making and natural communication with players. Unlike conventional scripted non-player characters (NPCs), these AI agents can adapt strategies based on game state, manage resources, assess risks, and even conceal their identities or betray teammates. This level of unpredictability and social interaction, demonstrated by over 25 million AI-powered matches in its first week, transforms AI from a background utility into an active, influential participant in the game's narrative and flow.
Giant Network's Vision for Interactive Entertainment
Giant Network is positioning AI not merely as a productivity tool for game development but as a fundamental gameplay technology capable of reshaping player interactions. The company's experience with large-scale AI deployments, including features like AI Mystery Theater in its social deduction game Super Sus, provides valuable real-world data for integrating LLMs into live-service games. This strategic focus on combining cultural storytelling with advanced AI-powered experiences underscores Giant Network's vision for the next generation of interactive entertainment, aiming to deliver richer, more unpredictable, and culturally resonant gaming experiences as the industry increasingly converges around AI and live-service models.
Key points
- Giant Network showcased Supernatural Action Team at ChinaJoy 2026, highlighting its blend of Chinese folklore and modern gameplay.
- The game, released in January 2025, has attracted over 200 million registered users and surpassed 10 million daily active users by Q1 2026.
- Supernatural Action Team integrates traditional Chinese cultural elements, such as Nuo Opera, into its design and collaborations.
- The game introduced an AI large language model (LLM) challenge mode where AI characters make dynamic decisions, communicate naturally, and can even betray players.
- Giant Network views AI as a core gameplay technology that enhances player interactions and contributes to the future of interactive entertainment.
The successful integration of advanced AI, particularly LLMs, into live-service games like Supernatural Action Team could pave the way for more dynamic and engaging player experiences across the industry. This approach could lower barriers to entry for complex genres and foster new forms of interactive storytelling, making games more accessible and unpredictable for a wider audience.
