Gamescom Opening Night Live delivered a packed two-hour showcase of reveals and updates, but one of the most distinctive announcements came from a brand-new studio. MBC Game Studio unveiled 1001 Threads of Mizan, an upcoming co-op fantasy action-adventure game that fuses the epic, large-scale combat of God of War with the classic storytelling of One Thousand and One Nights. The news was reported by Gamerant.
The game, revealed via a two-minute trailer during the ceremony, is slated for PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. While no release date has been confirmed, the announcement marks the debut project from MBC Game Studio, a new company funded by the MBC Group, which the developer’s website describes as “the largest media company in the Middle East.”
According to an official press release, the studio is composed of “elite developers from BioWare, Hi-Rez, Ubisoft Montréal and Bungie,” positioning 1001 Threads of Mizan as an ambitious first entry into the market.
What Is 1001 Threads of Mizan?
1001 Threads of Mizan is a 1-3 player co-op action-adventure game that draws heavy inspiration from One Thousand and One Nights, the famous collection of classic poems and stories assembled over several centuries by writers and poets from across Asia and Africa. Many of those tales are set in a fantasy version of Arabia, and the game leans into that setting with a vibrant fantasy world.
Players take on the role of one of three heroes, each with a distinct ability set, and can play solo or alongside two online allies. The narrative centers on aiding the legendary storyteller Shahrazad as she attempts to protect humanity from an army of jinn. The game’s official website describes the flying carpet mechanic as letting players “soar, dive, and strike in fluid motion,” a nod to the iconic imagery associated with the Aladdin tale.
The reveal trailer did not include any actual gameplay footage, but the description suggests combat encounters will frequently pit players against colossal jinn enemies that tower above them, echoing the scale and spectacle of God of War‘s boss battles.
Arabian Nights Roots and Western Favorites
The source material for 1001 Threads of Mizan has a rich and complex history. Some of the most popular tales in the Western world from One Thousand and One Nights include Sinbad, Aladdin, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. However, the Sinbad tale originally existed outside the collection, while Aladdin and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves were added by a French translator in the 1700s.
This layered history gives the game a deep well of source material to draw from, blending well-known characters and motifs with lesser-known elements of the classic stories. The choice to center Shahrazad, the frame narrator of the collection, suggests a narrative-driven approach that could weave multiple tales into a single campaign.
Platforms, Developer, and What’s Next
1001 Threads of Mizan is being both developed and published by MBC Game Studio, marking the company’s first game on the market. The studio’s backing by the MBC Group, a major Middle Eastern media conglomerate, signals a significant investment in the gaming space.
The game is confirmed for PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2, giving it broad multi-platform reach. With no release date announced, details on the combat system, progression, and how the co-op mechanics will function remain under wraps until the studio shares more information.
Gamescom Opening Night Live also featured other major reveals, including a free remaster for The Witcher 3, gameplay for Dungeons & Dragons: Warlock, and boss fight teases for Final Fantasy 7 Revelation. Among those heavy hitters, 1001 Threads of Mizan stands out for its unusual blend of influences and the pedigree of its development team.
