Ahead of gamescom 2025, NCSOFT has made a surprise announcement of a new IP titled Time Takers.

Developed by Mistil Games, Time Takers is a third-person, team-based shooter built around a time resource called Time Energy. In-game, players can accumulate Time Energy through combat or by collecting it in the field, then spend it to unlock or upgrade skills.

At its core, Time Takers follows the battle royale rule that only one team survives. The game features a variety of “travelers,” each with their own unique skills. Weapon choice is unrestricted, and the skill-like “apps” can be mixed and matched freely, allowing players to build a combat style to suit their preferences rather than being locked into fixed roles.

True to its focus on “time,” the setting and cast aren’t tied to any single era—a key hallmark of Time Takers. The footage shows a wide range of locales from medieval Japan and Europe to contemporary cities and futuristic backdrops. Likewise, the travelers span wildly different periods, from medieval knights to even a chimpanzee in a spacesuit, all gathered from across time.

Time Takers is already listed on the Steam store and is currently recruiting participants for a playtest. While a launch date has yet to be announced, the game will be free-to-play and is slated to include Korean voice-over.

The game's listing on Steam states, "Join a team of unique characters from across time and fight to collect Time Energy, a resource used to unlock and upgrade skills, revive teammates, or secure survival in a rapidly evolving battlefield. Every choice you make—whether to grow stronger now or hold on for later—shapes the flow of the match. Unlike traditional hero shooters, Time Takers lets you break out of fixed roles. Each character brings a unique ability, but your choice of weapons and apps completely transforms how you play — even with the same character."

This article was translated from the original that appeared on INVEN.