A new wave in blockchain gaming may be underway as x.com/playoffthegrid” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Off the grid, a battle royale game based on Avalanche, experiences major success.
As the first web3 game to reach the top positions on the Epic Games Store, the game's initial release attracted traditional gaming audiences who may now be more open to blockchain integrations.
Off the Grid has captured attention through engaging gameplay rather than leading with cryptocurrency-based assets or nft promotions, a marked shift from the way many web3 games approach adoption.
Source: Off the GridTake a game-centric approach
Industry experts have suggested that Off the Grid's popularity could be attributed to this focus on gameplay rather than cryptographic elements.
“To achieve broad adoption, you need to focus on the player and what brings them value,” said Hans Andersson, Chief Commercial Officer at Moonray Studios.
In its early access stage, Off the Grid emphasized unique Battle Royale mechanics, gaining visibility on social media where clips circulated widely and went viral. Unlike previous web3 games that have been criticized for prioritizing token distribution or nft sales, Gunzilla delayed the introduction of any crypto components.
This approach meant that players were initially unaware of blockchain integration, allowing them to focus solely on the game.
Source: Off the GridA gradual integration of Blockchain
Behind the scenes, Gunzilla operates on the Avalanche blockchain, and the end-game plan includes integrating an item marketplace and token economy into the GUNZ network. However, this integration is being rolled out incrementally, and blockchain aspects were kept low profile in the game's initial release.
Gunzilla's decision reflects a broader trend in web3 development, which emphasizes full gameplay experiences before introducing tokenized elements.
While Off the Grid has garnered positive reception from traditional players, challenges remain. Despite the game's promising early access release, player feedback has highlighted performance issues, especially on PC, along with some underdeveloped gameplay elements.
However, the “early access” model has allowed developers some freedom to address these issues through continuous updates.
Why is this important for blockchain games?
Off the Grid may set a precedent for other blockchain-based games seeking mainstream appeal.
“Thousands of web3 games have been announced and few teams are really able to deliver on them,” said Nicolas Pouard, vice president of Ubisoft's Strategic Innovation Lab and head of the Blockchain Initiative.
Industry observers believe that Off the Grid's gradual approach to blockchain elements may point to a viable path forward, helping to bridge the gap between traditional and web3 players.
The presence of the game on major platforms such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series x could also influence the industry. Although these platforms have yet to fully embrace cryptographic elements, the availability of Off the Grid on such systems demonstrates the potential reach of web3 gaming in traditional gaming ecosystems.
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