Behind the Scenes at the Tides of Annihilation Chengdu Preview Event

In August 2026, we headed to Chengdu with more than 20 invited media and influencers for a first hands-on look at Tides of Annihilation. After working with Eclipse Glow Games and our partners at ZAM since 2024, we were excited to give people time with the game we’d been talking about for so long.

Reverb helped plan and coordinate the event, bringing together press and creators from North America, Latin America, and Europe. The Eclipse Glow Games team welcomed everyone to their home city, with a visit that included two hours of gameplay and a chance to see a little of Chengdu for ourselves.

Two Hours with the Game

The hands-on session gave attendees time to explore the game’s blend of modern London and Arthurian legend, experiment with the knight system, and take on its boss fights.

There’s always some anticipation on our side when media sit down with a game for the first time. We know the work that’s gone into it. Now we get to hear what they think.

The response gave the team plenty to feel good about. IGN highlighted the puzzle gameplay alongside the action. Video Games Chronicle praised the variety throughout the demo, and MeuPlayStation saw real promise in the knight combinations. Across the previews, the visuals and boss battles were frequent talking points.

A recurring piece of feedback was especially nice to hear: two hours wasn’t enough. Attendees wanted to keep playing.

Exploring Chengdu, Pandas Included

Eclipse Glow Games put a lot of thought into the visit beyond the demo stations. Attendees had a day to experience Chengdu, try the local food, and spend some time exploring. And yes, we went to see the pandas.

As Reverb’s PR Panda, I would have had questions if we hadn’t.

That time together was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Between the meals and the sightseeing, we had a chance to get to know everyone a little better. The studio’s hospitality came through throughout the visit, and several attendees described it as one of the best-organized gaming events they’d attended.

The Coverage That Followed

The Chengdu event led into a busy stretch of coverage ahead of gamescom 2026. Our post-event review covered more than 100 articles, including hands-on previews and follow-up reporting.

IGN, Game Informer, Push Square, Video Games Chronicle, and Insider Gaming were among the outlets sharing impressions. Their stories gave readers a closer look at how Tides of Annihilation actually played, with detailed observations about combat, exploration, and the knight system.

For our team, it was a rewarding few days. We helped bring people to Chengdu to spend time with the game, and they left with plenty to write about.

Thank you to Eclipse Glow Games and ZAM for the partnership, and to everyone who made the trip. We’re glad we got to share this part of the journey with you.

Planning Your Next Press Event?

Getting your game in front of the right people takes preparation. Reverb can help with media outreach, event planning, and the details on the ground so your team can focus on sharing the game you’ve built.

Have an event in mind? Let’s talk about how we can help.

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