Ubisoft, the renowned AAA game studio, is making strides towards the release of its first blockchain-based game. During Paris Blockchain Week, the studio unveiled the first gameplay trailer for Champion Tactics Grimoria, offering Cointelegraph an exclusive playthrough of the tactical PVP RPG.
Champion Tactics Grimoria allows players to create unique blockchain-based figurines with distinct features and characteristics. These figurines can then be combined into a team of three for turn-based gameplay. The game exhibits the same level of polish and quality that is expected from Ubisoft titles, featuring high-end graphics and animations that enhance the overall gaming experience.
To ensure a strategic and competitive gameplay environment, players must learn which combinations of heroes work best together and how to counter the choices made by other players. Ubisoft Strategic Innovation Lab’s vice president, Nicolas Pouard, explained that the studio took a different approach compared to other developers in the blockchain gaming space. They focused on building a universe around the assets and nonfungible tokens that form the core of the game.
Champion Tactics Grimoria revolves around champion figurines with various skills and abilities. Just like in DOTA, different champions synergize well with specific classes and specs, and they can counter the figurines chosen by opponents in turn-based matches.
During the Paris event, Ubisoft and Oasys, the gaming blockchain protocol behind the game, provided attendees with a firsthand look at the gameplay. They also announced a whitelist that allows prospective players to start crafting figurines for their champion rosters.
Pouard emphasized that Ubisoft’s goal is not solely driven by financial motivations but rather to demonstrate their ability to release a high-quality Web3 game that grants players true ownership of their digital assets. He stated, “We want to give the players the power to populate the game with figurines and understand what it means to own your gaming assets.”
In addition, Oasys revealed a new integration with the omni-chain interoperability protocol LayerZero as part of its 2024 Dragon Update. This update aims to enhance interoperability within Oasys’ gaming ecosystem.
The announcement from Ubisoft and Oasys comes amidst discussions about the potential of Web3 gaming. While some critics argue that Web3 gaming falls short, players of the popular game Ava and 2M Bitcoin Miner have managed to earn 13 cents, challenging the notion that Web3 gaming is unprofitable.