Ubisoft, the French video game company known for Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry and the Tom Clancy series, announced the release of its first game incorporating Web3 technology.
Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles will launch on Oct. 23 and will be deployed on the Oasys layer-2 Home Verse, a blockchain-powered ecosystem for Web3 gaming.
In an interview with Cointelegraph, Sylvain Loe-Mie, the game’s executive producer, explained how Web3 technology improves the experience without overwhelming the user experience:
“Web3 technology enables players to own their in-game assets in a meaningful way [...] This ownership creates a deeper connection with both their Champions and the overall experience.”
Ubisoft’s Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles. Source: Ubisoft
Related: Crypto wallets deter gamers from trying Web3 games: Report
Focus on PvP and champion creation
The game is described as a tactical role-playing game (RPG) in which players assemble teams of champions to compete in player-vs.-player (PvP) battles.
Set in a dark fantasy world, team building, strategy and combat are central themes. Players can own, trade and use 75,000 unique digital collectible champions to build their teams for battle.
Ubisoft’s new Web3-augmented game will feature a “Forge” system, which allows players to customize their champions to create new ones.
Loe-Mie explained that the Forge system “may face challenges, such as balancing the system to ensure all crafted Champions remain fair and competitive.”
“We are committed to fine-tuning these elements to deliver a seamless and rewarding experience for everyone."
A champion digital collectible from Ubisoft’s upcoming Web3 game Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles. Source: Ubisoft
Related: Web3 game asset ownership is worthless without interoperability
Community and feedback-shaped development
Ubisoft’s entry into Web3 gaming has already included alpha and beta tests to gather feedback from players and ensure the game’s mechanics are well-balanced.
Still, reliance on digital collectibles can come with risks, as seen in previous Web3 games like Axie Infinity, where fluctuations in market value led to economic instability.
Loe-Mie acknowledged that “market volatility and fluctuating demand” can impact the entire system and said the focus remains on ensuring the game’s future sustainability:
“Our focus is on creating a sustainable game where digital collectibles enhance the experience rather than dictate it.”
Related: Lamborghini brings cars to Web3 games with Animoca, Motorverse partnership
Crypto wallet complexity is a barrier for gamers
According to an industry report titled “The Future of Web3 Gaming is Competitive: Global Gaming Report 2024,” the leap from Web2 to Web3 gaming can be offputting for those unfamiliar with cryptocurrency wallets.
Web3 gaming protocol Elympics created the report in collaboration with the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA) and blockchain game data tracker PlayToEarn.
The report revealed more than 10% of the survey’s participants said that crypto wallet complexity was the primary reason they hadn’t played blockchain games.
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