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Gunzilla is set to introduce its $GUN token on Binance, a strategic move aimed at enhancing the trading of gaming items within its community for the Off the Grid battle royale game.
This initiative aligns with Gunzilla’s ambition to elevate Off the Grid—a fusion of Web2 and Web3 mechanics—into a leading title within the realm of Web3 gaming. Notably, the company gained attention recently for acquiring Game Informer, a move that aims to revitalize the game journalism landscape after its closure by GameStop.
Theo Agranat, the director of Web3 at Gunzilla, elaborated in an interview with GamesBeat that the $GUN token will serve as a gateway to the GUNZ platform, which provides blockchain-friendly infrastructure tailored for game developers. The token’s utility extends to purchasing in-game assets, customization options, and covering Hex decoding fees. Players will have the option to earn $GUN tokens through gameplay or acquire them directly.
Off the Grid has already attracted substantial interest, amassing over 14.5 million wallets on the Avalanche blockchain, and currently boasts approximately 500,000 daily active users. The game has recorded an impressive 431 million transactions, averaging two to three million daily transactions.
Thus far, all activities have been conducted on a testnet environment. With the imminent launch of the mainnet, Gunzilla anticipates expanding its reach notably through Binance’s Web3 network. The game is currently accessible via the Epic Games Store, diverging from platforms like Steam due to their restrictions on Web3 titles.
Notably, the GUNZ ecosystem will become the first Layer 1 project on Avalanche to integrate with Binance, making the $GUN token the first Web3 gaming token available on Binance since Pixels launched in early 2024.
Off the Grid is also pioneering by being the first Web3 game available on consoles such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and it has garnered involvement from major streamers like Timthetatman and Shroud.
Currently, daily active users have decreased from earlier highs of around 900,000—partly attributed to campaigns with popular influencers such as Ninja—to roughly 400,000. However, user engagement has shown signs of recovery. Agranat commented, “We anticipated a drop-off. Knowing that we currently have only 20% of the game live and in early access, we are focused on continuous development.”
He added, “We’ve positioned ourselves as the largest Web3 triple-A gaming ecosystem globally, launching the most significant Web3 project embraced by the mainstream. Our goal is to establish a presence on the leading exchange, Binance, which serves 250 million users.”
Launched in October 2024, Off the Grid features Web3 elements that players can choose to engage with, while also providing a free-to-play option for those not interested in blockchain features.
The GUNZ platform is designed to facilitate game development by minimizing the need for substantial investments in custom blockchain setups. It includes user-friendly SDKs that allow studios to create community-oriented Web3 economies.
On the Avalanche blockchain, the ecosystem offers a blockchain wallet, companion app, NFT marketplace, and NFT minting engine. Gunzilla aims to white-label these tools to assist other projects in onboarding gaming intellectual property to its platform.
Gameplay
Set in a dystopian future envisioned by Neill Blomkamp, the creative director known for films like District 9 and Elysium, Off the Grid immerses players in a battle royale where survival is rewarded with a prize of $100 million. Participants undergo a surgical transformation, replacing lost limbs with cybernetic enhancements, and possess the ability to be revived after death through advanced medical technology.
Blomkamp and Gunzilla have assembled a team of seasoned game developers, with Agranat noting that only 20% of the game has been revealed to early-access players.
Players typically begin in three-person squads, often transitioning from other intense battle royale games such as Apex Legends and Warzone. “We have been pleased with our onboarding performance, as evidenced by our growing user base. Each update has driven higher retention and conversion rates,” Agranat stated.
Recent updates have made the game more accessible to newcomers, facilitating encounters against AI characters, resulting in a substantial 35% retention rate for subsequent games. Future enhancements will introduce ranked modes and skill-based matchmaking to ensure players face appropriate challenges while enjoying a fulfilling experience.
The Web3 angle
Off the Grid’s gameplay features revolve around cyber-enhanced combat. Players can discover a Hex Cube within the game, which they can carry until they locate an extractor. Successful extraction requires defending the site against other players who may attempt to thwart their efforts and steal the cube.
Upon successful extraction, players receive the Hex Cube in their inventory, which they can decode by paying a transaction fee. The decoded item might be a cyber limb, weapon, or other cosmetic enhancements. Players also have opportunities to sell unwanted items in the marketplace, a distinct advantage of Web3 gaming compared to traditional Web2 models where resale isn’t an option. The worth of items is contingent on their rarity, with unique items potentially fetching high prices.
With the launch of the $GUN token, Gunzilla will transition testnet tokens to the mainnet but ensure that existing items traded during the test phase will be retained by players. Eventually, these assets could be sold on platforms like OpenSea.
On the inaugural launch of the $GUN token on Binance, players will have the option to use Ethereum for transactions, facilitating in-game purchases. Players can obtain tokens through gameplay or buy them on the exchange, providing flexibility for those who wish to expedite their gaming experience.
Agranat emphasized the growing potential of the GUNZ ecosystem, expressing plans to incorporate additional games. Players will utilize their $GUN tokens across these future projects, enhancing the seamlessness of transactions.
While converting Web2 players to Web3 can benefit Gunzilla, Agranat underscores that the primary focus is on delivering entertainment. “Our mission is to provide an immersive and engaging gaming experience. We aim to show players the value of asset ownership through Web3, without imposing conversion as a necessity,” he remarked.
Origins
Founded in 2019 by Vlad Korolov, Neill Blomkamp, and Alexander Zoll, Gunzilla has an experienced leadership team with a strong background in game development. Korolov and Zoll previously worked on the successful free-to-play shooter, Warface, with ambitions of creating a Web3 title that could offer players true asset ownership—a concept not approved in their prior endeavors.
Building on their vision, they left to create Gunzilla, focusing on enhancing the gaming experience through the integration of blockchain technology. “Their desire to provide meaningful asset ownership and a peer-to-peer marketplace predated their discovery of blockchain as an optimal solution,” Agranat stated.
Gunzilla has seen rapid growth, expanding its team to 420 employees. The company has successfully raised $76 million since its inception, primarily capitalizing on the Avalanche blockchain for its developments.
Agranat believes that blockchain technology is still in its infancy, much like the early days of the internet. He shares an analogy to highlight that users typically don’t question the technologies they rely on—instead, they want a seamless, enjoyable experience. He contends that the success of gaming should not be measured solely by its Web3 properties but rather by its ability to engage players effectively.
The Game Informer deal
Gunzilla’s recent revival of Game Informer, following GameStop’s decision to shut down the magazine in August 2024, has generated excitement among the gaming community. Agranat noted that Korolov and Zoll, long-time fans of the publication, were eager to return it to the spotlight.
Despite the acquisition, Agranat clarified that Game Informer operates independently from Gunzilla’s Web3 initiatives, maintaining its journalistic integrity and autonomy, with a distinct management team.
Source
venturebeat.com