MadWorld: A Post-Apocalyptic Shooter Game with NFT-Based Territory Control
MadWorld, a post-apocalyptic shooter game for iOS and Android, is offering early access playtesting to players interested in trying out its NFT-based territory control elements. The studio behind the game, Carbonated, has also announced that it raised $11 million in funding from notable investors.
Carbonated Inc was founded in 2015 by industry veterans from companies like PlayStation and Electronic Arts. They recently revealed that they secured $11 million in Series A funding, led by Com2uS, the South Korean gaming giant responsible for the XPLA blockchain network used by MadWorld. Other backers include Andreessen Horowitz, Bitkraft Ventures, Cypher Capital, Blocore, Goal Ventures, and WAGMI Ventures. In 2020, Carbonated raised $8.5 million with Andreessen and Bitkraft as investors.
MadWorld: A Unique Gameplay Experience
MadWorld combines competitive shooting action with territory control gameplay based on NFT land assets. Set in a post-apocalyptic version of Earth after “The Collapse,” the game offers intense battles for survival. Some key features of MadWorld include:
- Players can own, upgrade, and trade tokenized versions of real-world locations on a hex grid of over 250,000 land plots.
- Each land plot has specific resources and benefits.
- In-game clans must pay “tribute” to the NFT landowner if they want to battle on specific plots or enjoy unique perks.
- Tribute is paid using “Rounds,” an in-game currency that will eventually be converted into an on-chain cryptocurrency.
To maintain and increase tribute benefits, landowners can invest Rounds into their land. Carbonated CEO Travis Boatman explained that Rounds can be converted into the game’s future on-chain token, pending feedback from early access players.
Mobile Gaming: The Ideal Platform for Crypto Tech
Travis Boatman, a mobile gaming veteran with experience at Zynga and Electronic Arts, believes that mobile games are the ideal space to showcase crypto technology, as long as they have broad appeal. He stated:
“We think mobile is where the breakout will happen for Web3. Mobile gamers are super familiar with purchasing digital goods with digital currency. We believe it’s only one additional cognitive step to do this on-chain. While the usability still needs to be improved—and lots of great companies are working hard on this—it still all rests on great game experiences to drive it.”
Boatman also mentioned that recent developments, such as Google’s more favorable stance towards Web3 games on the Android Play Store and the introduction of NFT experiences in the iOS App Store while adhering to Apple’s guidelines, have created a conducive environment for crypto gaming.
The Importance of Regulations in Gaming
Boatman emphasized the importance of regulations in gaming, stating that they protect consumers from exploitative practices seen during the early days of free-to-play mobile games. He believes that game creators must work within these regulations and create exceptional gaming experiences to drive demand for ownership.
“To create that ownership demand, games simply need to be so good that players will crawl over broken glass for them. That’s much harder to do—which is why we think we’re seeing fewer teams with deeper experience chasing this space.”
Overall, MadWorld offers an immersive gameplay experience with its combination of shooting action and NFT-based territory control. With the support of prominent investors and the growing interest in crypto gaming, MadWorld has the potential to make a significant impact in the mobile gaming industry.
Hot Take: The Rise of NFT-Based Gaming
The emergence of NFT-based gaming is revolutionizing the gaming industry by introducing new ways for players to own and trade in-game assets. MadWorld, with its unique gameplay mechanics and NFT land assets, exemplifies this trend. As more developers explore the possibilities of combining blockchain technology with gaming, we can expect to see further innovation and exciting experiences in the future.
However, it’s crucial for game creators to prioritize user experience and ensure that crypto integration is seamless and accessible to a wide audience. The success of crypto gaming relies on delivering exceptional games that capture players’ attention and provide them with meaningful ownership experiences.
With the support of major investors and a team of experienced industry professionals, Carbonated is well-positioned to make a splash in the crypto gaming space. MadWorld’s early access playtest will provide valuable feedback for further improvements and refinements, ultimately shaping the future of NFT-based gaming.