XD officially launched the SS2 season, 'Crown of Winter Flowers', for its turn-based RPG ETERIA on the 4th. The update brings a suite of new battlefields, progression systems, additional Animus characters, equipment overhauls, and quality-of-life adjustments, effectively widening the structural scope of the gameplay.

The heart of this season is the new battlefield, 'Tribunal of the Frost'. This update integrates the wintry combat environment alongside a slew of fresh elements. Players can also get their hands on the season pass, exclusive skins for both male and female Hyperlinkers, and new Chak paint jobs immediately.

Two new Animus characters have arrived: Rowan, the Commander-in-Chief of the EOS Secret Security Unit, and the underground rock sensation and bassist, Santique. The roster continues to grow on the 25th with the arrival of prototype Animus characters Pailin and Senyu, followed by the Ultimate-class Animus Piamelia in January 2026.

A key system introduced this season is the 'SR Animus Awakening'. The initial roster for SS2 awakening includes Turandot, Sania, and RC-77, complete with dedicated challenge content, material gathering, and expanded upgrade trees. This new growth structure aims to make SR-tier characters much more viable, offering players a broader strategic toolkit.

Quality-of-life improvements have also been rolled out. The Void Exploration Crisis difficulty now features a one-touch clear function for normal monster floors, while the Fantasy Theater SSS difficulty can be completed instantly upon mutual agreement. The Infinite Train now includes an automated card selection feature, and the growth screen has been updated with a UI that calculates base and bonus stats combined. Detailed combat statistics tracking is also on the roadmap for future updates.

The SS2 season events are now underway. A series of New Year-themed events will kick off in late December, including the 'Chak Treasure Hunt', where players collect secret keys to unlock rewards and boost multipliers. Furthermore, the Peak Arena is introducing a limited-time event mode without rank implications, with the first iteration arriving in late December.

Finally, the structure for 'EWS 2025', one of this year's major global events, has been finalised. After regional qualifiers and finals, the top 16 contestants will gather in Shanghai in February 2026 to battle for the championship title, with the winner earning the honour of having a bespoke Animus skin created in their likeness.