The lively moments from summer 2025 China Joy remain vivid, and today the bell tolls of Lisbon harbor have locked in the coordinates again. Following six months of meticulous polishing, "Great Voyage Era: Origins," authorized by Koei Tecmo and LINE Games and distributed by Shengqu Games, officially declares the national server’s "Distant Sailing Test" will open from January 28 to February 10, 2026. From the initial stunning reveal to the confident approach of the launch, this is not just a test schedule but a return carrying the promise of the "Golden Age" alongside next-generation technological breakthroughs.

A gathering of nostalgia: The harbor bells ring again, rekindling thirty years of exploration spirit.

For many admirals, "Great Voyage Era" itself is a melody etched into their DNA. Since its first release in 1990, the series has stood at the pinnacle of maritime simulation games with its unparalleled freedom and grand epic scope. Countless nights were spent waiting for dawn at Lisbon harbor, and many voyages braved the stormy Cape of Good Hope to trade a shipload of spices.

"Great Voyage Era" was the spark for geography lessons, the beginning of heroic dreams, and a free-spirited narrative carved into youth. Now, the harbor bells toll once more. John Farrell, Katarina... those familiar names and faces will return alongside the national server’s progress. This "Distant Sailing Test" is a formal homecoming invitation sent to all veteran captains by this ocean carrying thirty years of memories.

Technical crowning: Unreal Engine 4 recreates a "moving oil painting" and 4K authentic seas.

If nostalgia is the reason to board, then "technical crowning" is the confidence behind "Great Voyage Era: Origins" boldly claiming the title of the series’ "ultimate masterpiece." This is far more than a simple remake; it is a digital aesthetic revolution.

Powered by Unreal Engine 4 at its core, the game employs cutting-edge deferred rendering technology. This technique supports processing massive dynamic light sources within the same scene, transforming the once flat sea surface into a realistic map featuring light refraction and wave physics feedback. When displayed in 4K ultra-high definition, whether it’s the bustling crowds at the harbor or the shimmering vast ocean under changing day and night, every voyage becomes a flowing visual feast.

Hardcore research: Seeking business opportunities in a real-time global strategy game.

As a professional maritime title, the "hardcore" aspect of "Great Voyage Era: Origins" lies not only in appearance but also in its core structure. The game deeply integrates 16th-century global historical facts, faithfully reproducing nearly 100 authentic ships with a free modification system, and dynamically simulates over 20 extreme weather conditions—currents, storms, and even changes in constellations all realistically affect your sailing efficiency.

Within the dynamic free trade system, the specialties and prices of more than 200 global ports fluctuate in real time based on each player’s investments and sales. This big data-driven economic competition means every "merchant run" is no longer a mindless back-and-forth but a psychological battle requiring insight and profit calculation.

Additionally, the newly added chronicle system covers 29 admiral biographies and 10 fate-driven storylines, accompanied by full voice acting from veteran actors, giving this adventure a profound historical immersion beyond strategic gameplay.

At this moment, the sunset over Lisbon glistens on the deck, and the compass needle is fixed on the coordinate of January 28, 2026. This "Distant Sailing Test" is the crucial preliminary voyage leading to the official open beta. As the first navigators of the national server, every piece of feedback from admirals during this journey will be the foundation for optimizing the future public test. Admirals, prepare yourselves—let us set sail once again!