The gaming industry is on the cusp of a transformative evolution, driven by the amalgamation of veteran talent and cutting-edge technology. A new gaming studio has emerged, showcasing a development team composed of industry veterans with extensive experience from leading companies such as Sony, Amazon, Riot, Blizzard, Ubisoft, and Epic. Their collective portfolio highlights involvement in iconic titles including Call of Duty, Valorant, Fortnite, Planetside 2, and other notable shooters.
One of the studio’s significant advancements is leveraging blockchain technology to enhance the game’s economy. The integration of robust smart contract functionality ensures sustainability and support for complex decentralized applications (dApps). Specifically, they will utilize Etherlink, a Layer 2 solution tailored for gaming, which promises seamless processing and scalability—essential components for creating AAA titles.
Another Player On The Web3 Gaming Horizon
At the helm of this innovative studio is a co-creator of well-known franchises such as EverQuest, Planetside 2, and H1Z1. The recently announced funding round of $30.5 million is being led by prominent investors including Bitkraft and Brevan Howard Digital, with participation from The Tezos Foundation, Hashed, Delphi Ventures, Shima Capital, North Island Ventures, among others.
Arthur Breitman, co-founder of Tezos, shared his enthusiasm:
“‘Holy smokes, it’s the EverQuest guy with an AAA team and they’re building an immersive world with AI, are you kidding me!?’ were my initial thoughts, and I’ve remained as excited since!”
The upcoming game is set to unfold on the fictional island of Marova, where players will assume the role of elite operatives known as Reapers. Participants can build and manage bases, engage in territorial warfare, and participate in resource extraction in a unique Player vs Player vs Environment (PvPvE) ecosystem.
Upon release, the game will be accessible on multiple platforms including Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the official website. Players will have the opportunity to trade in-game rarities such as characters, bases, skins, and craft items within the Reaper Actual Ecosystem using Etherlink. This approach aims to empower players with tools for content creation, fostering a vibrant community and an active game economy.
John Smedley, the studio’s CEO, emphasized the importance of their technological choices:
“Tezos and Etherlink are fundamental to delivering a groundbreaking digital ownership experience within gaming. Players will benefit from a transparent and sustainable blockchain environment.”
Further commenting on the infrastructure, Efe Kucuk, Head of Gaming at Trilitech, noted, “Infrastructure in games should feel invisible until it matters. That’s what Etherlink allows – no friction, no gimmicks, just permanence when it counts.”
The gaming community can anticipate the announcement of the “Foundation” phase, or pre-alpha, in the near future, which will include early access to the game and on-chain, tradable items.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve with advancements like these, one thing remains clear: the intersection of veteran experience and innovative technology is paving the way for an exciting future in Web3 gaming.
