Off The Grid: What to Know About the Crypto Shooter Game Launch?

Teuta Franjkovic
October 14, 2024
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CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.
'Off the Grid' focuses on experience, not on tokens

Highlights

  • "Off the Grid" prioritizes engaging gameplay over token incentives.
  • The game leverages blockchain technology for asset ownership and trading, adding value.
  • "Off the Grid" has quickly gained popularity on Epic Games Store and streaming platforms.

‘Off the Grid’, a battle royale shooter, first came out as early access but quickly became one of the top-grossing free-to-play blockchain games on the Epic Games Store but there are many new things one should know about.

The game takes a center approach to blockchain gaming first, bringing premium gameplay over incentivized token mechanics. Integrating blockchain into the game will complement the game and not be the main attraction.

Minting in-game assets such as weapons and skins as NFTs on Avalanche’s AVAX subnet GUNZ ensures players’ ownership of those assets. This allows them to participate in secondary markets, making the items not only valuable inside the game but also tradable.

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‘Off the Grid’ – What is It All About?

‘Off the Grid’ uses blockchain technology through an Avalanche AVAX subnet called GUNZ, which would create an independent blockchain ecosystem for minting NFTs representing in-game items such as weapons and skins. Since the Epic announced the game, AVAX price grew by more than 9% in a week.

Developed by Gunzilla Games and built on the Avalanche blockchain, this game blends a more old-school take on battle royale with blockchain, offering something different and grabbing the attention of both gamers and the crypto community.

Since it was minted on-chain, the game gave players ownership of these items in return. This would, in turn, create a way for trading in secondary markets. This adds value and ownership beyond standard in-game purchases. This is because assets are transferable and can be profitable for the owners.

That is a big deal, as the game is an AAA title – the blockbuster equivalent of movies within gaming. This also represents a pivot from the current model Web3 gaming. Other games were usually focusing more on token rewards than the actual gameplay.

Traditional blockchain games have been under the wrong name for giving rewards that convince people to start playing but only for the rewards, thus seeing a sharp drop in user count shortly after the airdrop. At the same time, ‘Off the Grid’ places its sound gaming experience first and foremost, while blockchain features support the ecosystem, not drive it.

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Blockchain Gaming to Focus on Gameplay, Not Tokens

The design choice also reflects industry leaders’ calls for blockchain games to focus on an engaging gameplay experience, leveraging tokenization to enhance gameplay rather than as a primary driver. However, tangles in joining crypto wallets, for instance, are yet to be overcome for increased blockchain game adoption.

In fact, a survey conducted by Elympics, the Blockchain Game Alliance, and PlayToEarn revealed that over 10% of surveyed individuals have never tried blockchain gaming, which may suggest that smoothing user onboarding is probably key to the growth of blockchain gaming.

‘Off the Grid’ is working to make blockchain gaming more appealing and sustainable, working on a more gaming-first approach over incentivized token mechanics.

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Overcoming Barriers to Blockchain Gaming Adoption

Since its release, ‘Off the Grid’ has been sitting at the top of the Epic Games Store’s Most Popular Free-to-Play PC Games list, beating several of Epic’s smash hits. It also topped the trending list, showing how well-received the game was. On Twitch, the title is performing equally as well, as roughly 148,000 viewers were online this past Friday, making it the most-watched game on the service.

So, as of now, early access only supports limited content, such as one map and game mode, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Although the in-game economy based on GUNZ tokens has been implemented, the key features of blockchain, such as NFT-based rare items and weapons, have yet to be fully integrated.

A considerable part of ‘Off the Grid’ recent rapid rise has involved an enormous marketing push: gameplay clips flooding social media, many tagged with #OTGpartner, and streams featuring popular streamers like Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag.

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Teuta is a seasoned writer and editor with over 15 years of expertise in macroeconomics, technology, and the crypto and blockchain sectors. She began her career in 2005 as a lifestyle writer for *Cosmopolitan* before transitioning to business and economic reporting for renowned outlets like *Forbes* and *Bloomberg*. Inspired by thought leaders like Don and Alex Tapscott and Laura Shin, Teuta embraced blockchain's potential, viewing cryptocurrency as one of humanity's most transformative innovations. Since 2014, she has specialized in fintech, focusing on crypto, blockchain, NFTs, and Web3. Known for her strong collaboration and communication skills, Teuta also holds dual MAs in Political Science and Law.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.