The first glimpse of 'Mabinogi Eternity,' the ambitious project to migrate the classic title to the Unreal Engine, arrives with an alpha test scheduled for this autumn.

NEXON dropped the news during the Mabinogi 22nd Anniversary Fantasy Party showcase on the 27th. General Director Min Kyung-hoon took the stage to confirm that the upcoming autumn alpha test will focus on fine-tuning the early-game experience, with doors open even to new players.

Mabinogi Eternity is, at its core, a complete engine overhaul to Unreal Engine 5. First unveiled at the 2023 Fantasy Party, the project aims to bring the game's world and characters to life with more vivid visuals, while also streamlining quality-of-life features like the dyeing system.

The studio is leaning heavily into Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen technology to manage real-time lighting, promising a much more immersive experience when it comes to weather and light cycles. They are also busy rebuilding aging structures and reinforcing character rigs to ensure more fluid animations.

Existing players can breathe a sigh of relief: your data is coming with you. Director Min emphasized that ensuring all player specs transition seamlessly into 'Eternity' remains their 'unchanging goal,' reinforcing that this project is all about securing the long-term future of Mabinogi.

Meanwhile, the 22nd Anniversary Fantasy Party also features a 200-seat demo booth for Eternity. Attendees get a hands-on look at character customization, exploration of Erinn, and a few peculiar events.

The customization demo is quite generous, providing 227 fashion items (30 sets) and a variety of 'Fixed Color Dye Ampoules' in the inventory. Through the 'Fantasy Party Fashion Selection Box,' players can mix and match parts to test the revamped dyeing system in real-time.

The 'Erinn Exploration' segment allows players to roam five revamped regions, with Moon Gate fast travel enabled for convenience. The areas include Tir Chonaill, Dugald Aisle, Dunbarton, Abb Neagh, and Gairech Hills. Director Min specifically pointed out the Abb Neagh Lake as the most visually stunning spot in this build.

Finally, the 'Suspicious Event' tasks players with hunting down 'Suspicious Treasure Chests' found on the outskirts of villages and across the field to collect 'Suspicious Fragments' in exchange for special rewards.

Director Min noted, "We are working tirelessly to ensure the UI and various other elements are significantly more polished than what you see in this Fantasy Party build." Further details regarding the alpha test will be released on the official website in due course.