Grey State Studio, a subsidiary of Tencent Games, has unveiled a new free-to-play title set in a horrifying alternate dimension — and it’s probably not coming to consoles anytime soon.

Players take control of a Strider, an elite agent hired by a mysterious organization to infiltrate the Grey State—an unstable dimension teeming with abominations and strange relics. The mission is simple: retrieve the priceless Vertex from the heart of the anomaly and survive a nightmarish no-man’s-land where rival teams are fighting for the same prize. This isn’t about saving the world. It’s just business. The Grey State represents the most perilous and profitable gold rush in history. The twist? This wasteland is a graveyard of nightmares—a true Horrorverse. Think of every monster you’ve ever feared or loved; you’ll likely meet its twisted counterpart here. It’s not one horror story—it’s all of them combined.

Drop in, gear up, and get out. Rules of Engagement delivers a tense PvPvE experience where every match is a race against time. Squads start with basic equipment, sparking a frantic rush to hunt grotesque creatures and collect stronger gear before the timer expires. When the final countdown begins, a crucial choice awaits: extract early for a guaranteed reward or risk everything to claim the Vertex and fight for a coveted seat on the last chopper out. The decision is yours.

The first Alpha Playtest introduces three unique classes, each with deep talent trees for creative character builds. Sledge is an unstoppable tank armed with a hammer and shield. Pyro is a deranged firestarter who controls chaos with flames and gas. Phantom is a deadly assassin who strikes from the shadows with surgical precision. In Rules of Engagement, smart builds and teamwork can easily triumph over pure reflexes—a game that values intelligence and rewards creativity.

The business model is simple: the game is completely free-to-play and supported only by cosmetics. Gear is earned through skill or luck—never through payment. The developers believe that the best games are made with the community, not just for them. They invite players to join the project’s Discord, test the builds, share feedback, and help shape the game’s evolution together.

Rules of Engagement: The Grey State launches in 2026 for PC on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and WeGame in China.

Source: Gematsu