October 2026 has fewer new game launches than crossovers and version updates, which is normal for the gacha calendar. The news that will matter most to you over the next few weeks is the arrival of Arknights: Endfield on Steam with version 1.6, a pair of crossovers with franchises from outside the genre, and a run of updates packed into the end of the month.

Arknights: Endfield reaches Steam with version 1.6

Gryphline is launching an update alongside the Steam release of Arknights: Endfield. Version 1.6, called Sanctuary of Ink, adds two new operators: Si, who runs the Yuanyuan Manor inn, and Argent Flow, who comes with the horse Nuli. Both will be available through limited recruitment banners.

The version date is October 15, according to the update calendar we used to put this roundup together. The update also adds a painting-inspired area, Si's Painting, which the team describes as a world of brushstrokes. If you have been waiting to start on PC or want another reason to log back in, the Steam launch and the new operators land on the same day.

Persona 5 and The War of Genesis crossovers

In Heaven Burns Red, the collaboration with Persona 5 Royal takes up the month. According to Pocket Gamer's coverage, the game gives out more than 10,000 Quartz during the event. The special story, "Operation Takanawa Mementos ~Wake Your Heart~", brings SS characters such as Tsukasa Tojo, Queen, Ruka Kayamori and Violet.

Uncharted Waters Origin gets the universe of The War of Genesis. The standout is Grau S Heidelloon, an admiral who comes from outside the original game. Characters from the previous collaboration also return, including Black Prince and Iyolin Pandragon, which should shake up team compositions for players who own both versions of the roster.

If you play for the story, the Heaven Burns Red collaboration is the one with the most text to read. If you are chasing a stronger team in Uncharted Waters Origin, this month's banners give you more reason to pull. That is our read for the two crossovers.

What changes in late October

The calendar gets busier between October 21 and 29:

  • Honkai Impact 3rd: version 9.0, The Light at Dream's End, ends on October 22, according to the official HoYoverse site.
  • Zenless Zone Zero: version 3.3 is listed with maintenance scheduled for October 21 in the update tracker we used.
  • Monster Hunter Outlanders: the iOS and Android launch is set for October 29. It is a free open-world game from TiMi Studio Group, licensed by Capcom.

The exact maintenance time depends on the server you play on. Check each game's official announcement before you plan around a specific hour. For players who split time between several gachas, that week is the one to keep an eye on, since three different schedules meet.

Big launches pushed to 2027

Not everything announced has a date for the coming weeks. Ananta, from NetEase, is listed with a launch date of January 15, 2027, on PC, PS5, iOS and Android. Petit Planet, from HoYoverse, has been announced for the winter of 2026, with no exact date yet.

If you only play on mobile and do not want to spend on new launches, the most useful move right now is to follow the version dates for the games you already have. The next months look like a stretch of updates rather than debuts, and that is where most of your resources will go.