Blockchain-based game Illuvium is set to attract millions of PC and mobile gamers when it launches on the Epic Games Store, home to popular games such as Fortress Heroes.
Illuvium, an interoperable blockchain game developed by Illuvium Labs, will be available on the Epic Store on November 28 after months of backend work to bring the game up to its standards.
Speaking exclusively to Cointelegraph ahead of Epic’s launch, Illuvium co-founder Kieran Warwick outlined the evolution of the game in order to cater to a mainstream audience and comply with the platform’s legal and compatibility requirements:
“The results of these efforts not only earn Illvium a place on the leading gaming platform, but also improve our product.”
The game was developed using Unreal Engine 5 on the Immutable X network. Its beta release on Epic Games will feature three different game types in the Illvium universe.
These include Overworld, an open-world exploration game and “creature catcher reminiscent of beloved classics,” an auto-battle strategy game called Arena and Zero, and a game with Other game-related action and tabletop city-building games. Warwick said its approach to structuring different genres and game modes is designed to appeal to a wider range of gamers.
“By launching three different games in three different genres, we’ve significantly expanded our addressable market. The only problem is it takes longer to get to that point,” Warwick added.
Given that blockchain games with non-fungible token (NFT) elements have struggled to break into the mainstream, Warwick’s team has adapted its approach to attract more users. He highlighted the barrier to entry for non-Web3 native gamers as a key reason for the slow adoption of blockchain games:
“One of the most frustrating things about NFT games is that you need a wallet and a lot of money to try the game. We no longer need a wallet and can play for free. We think this is the only way to gain mainstream adoption.”
As Cointelegraph recently reported, Web3 ventures such as Animoca Brands have highlighted the hesitancy of mainstream game publishers to list games that include Web3 infrastructure.
Animoca Brands CEO Robby Yung previously said that mainstream players are still unsure of its inherent impact and are worried that Web3 integration will bypass existing business models that rely on distribution fees.
Related: ‘The social benefits are huge’: Web3 games transform digital ownership
Warwick echoes these sentiments and says this common attitude is influenced by a variety of factors. One factor is the integrity of the game design, with some critics arguing that the inclusion of NFTs could lead to a pay-to-win mechanism or negatively impact game design by prioritizing monetization over player experience.
Regulatory issues are another consideration, with Warwick stressing that blockchain technology and NFTs are still “in a gray area in many areas.”
“Games with NFT functionality may run into trouble with regulators, affecting their viability and legality.”
The volatility of the cryptocurrency market and NFTs, as well as widespread fraud, is another obstacle of concern for mainstream issuers.
Still, Illuvium’s imminent launch bodes well for the broader blockchain gaming industry. Warwick describes this as a major milestone as their game comes to the same platform as some of the most popular mainstream games of recent years.
“This is a big step forward. People have been saying for years that Web3 games are the next big thing in cryptocurrency,” Warwick concluded.
Over the past year, Web3 gaming investors have taken a more cautious approach to backing early-stage studios building blockchain games. This was necessitated by the effects of the prolonged cryptocurrency bear market, which required more rigorous due diligence by industry venture capitalists.
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