I still vividly remember tuning into the Arknights 2nd anniversary livestream a few years ago. That January broadcast wasn't just another celebration — it was a treasure trove of teases and heartfelt messages from the developers. Among the new skins, the music, and the charming voice actor greetings, producer Hai Mao sat down for a rare, quiet interview that many fans might have missed. In it, he dropped the kind of hints that can keep a community buzzing for years. Now, in 2026, it feels like the perfect moment to look back at those words and ask: how many of those spinoff dreams are starting to take shape?

The Spinoff Tease That Started It All

During that exclusive chat on the official YouTube channel, Hai Mao revealed something that made my ears perk up immediately. He confirmed that the development team had already brainstormed several ideas for brand-new Arknights games, each stepping away from the beloved tower-defense core. The most concrete idea he mentioned? A strategy game where you could command entire factions rather than individual operators. Imagine marshaling the forces of Rhodes Island, Laterano, or Kazimierz in grand tactical battles. That alone was enough to make me start theorizing.

But then he went even further. Hai Mao said the project he personally wanted to make most was an RPG set in the world of Terra. A full role-playing experience where you could walk the streets of lungmen, explore the desolate tundra of Ursus, and truly interact with operators beyond the base screen. He framed it as the ultimate way to live inside that world. And honestly? In 2026, with the technology for immersive mobile and PC RPGs more advanced than ever, doesn't that idea feel more tantalizing — and realistic — than before? Could an Arknights RPG finally be the title that bridges the gap between gacha and grand adventure?

The Doctor Without a Face

Another striking detail from that interview was Hai Mao's stance on the Doctor. He confirmed, without hesitation, that the Doctor would remain faceless. No canon design, no official appearance. This isn't just a quirky design choice; it's a deliberate decision to let every player self-insert as the strategic genius of Rhodes Island. For me, that philosophy has always been one of Arknights' quiet strengths. It keeps the narrative intimate even as the cast of operators balloons past 300. In a potential spinoff RPG, this raises a fascinating question: will we finally see a character creation suite for the Doctor, or will the avatar remain a deliberate blank slate even in a fully realized 3D world?

Skadi and the Art of Leaving an Impression

When pressed about his favorite operator, Hai Mao famously dodged a direct answer but singled out Skadi. He noted how Skadi left a huge impression on the community, and that alone made her special. It’s hard to disagree. The Skadi the Corrupting Heart variant, with its haunting dynamic art and unsettling transformation, was a visual landmark for the game. Hai Mao even teased that more dynamic outfits like hers could appear in the future. Looking at the game now, in 2026, we’ve seen that promise fulfilled in gorgeous Live2D skins and event animations. But could that flair carry over into a spinoff? An RPG with dynamic costume changes and dramatic skill cut-ins sounds like a natural evolution.

Anime Updates and Voice Actor Celebrations

That anniversary livestream wasn't just about games. It also pulled back the curtain on the Arknights: Prelude To Dawn anime adaptation. We learned that Ace would finally appear in the animated series, voiced by the legendary Takashi Matsuyama. A fresh key visual dropped, and the excitement was palpable. Alongside that, messages from the Japanese voice cast flooded in, making the community feel closer to the characters than ever. Those anime plans have since borne fruit — multiple seasons and OVAs have deepened the lore. But doesn’t the continued success of the anime only strengthen the case for a narrative-driven RPG spinoff? The world is already so richly animated; translating that into a playable form seems like the next logical step.

What 2026 Means for Those Promises

So, where are we now? Yostar and Hypergryph have stayed busy, expanding Arknights into music, merchandise, and even a board game. But the spinoff video games remain the community's biggest unfulfilled wish. In interviews over the years, Hai Mao has reiterated his RPG desire, and job listings have hinted at unannounced projects built with Unreal Engine 5. Could 2026 be the year we finally get an official reveal? Perhaps an announcement during the upcoming anniversary stream? A strategy game starring the factions would also be a phenomenal title, especially for fans who love the political intrigue of Terra.

What truly amazes me is how that single, low-key interview from years ago still shapes our expectations today. The combination of candid producer talk and concrete creative direction is rare in the gacha space. It makes you wonder: if and when these spinoffs arrive, how will they expand the universe for new players and veterans alike? Will the RPG let us build our own squad of operators from scratch, or will it follow a set protagonist like Amiya? The possibilities are endless, and the wait has only made the speculation sweeter.

Join the Conversation

So I’ll leave you with the same question that echoed in the comment sections back then and still burns today: what kind of Arknights spinoff is your dream? A faction-based grand strategy game? A vast open-world RPG? Or perhaps something entirely unexpected, like a life simulation where you manage the Rhodes Island landship day by day? Drop your thoughts in the comments — because if these years have taught me anything, it’s that the developers are listening. And who knows? The next anniversary stream might just be the one that turns all our waiting into a brand-new adventure.