Unveiling Gala Games: Revolutionizing Gaming

Unveiling Gala Games: Revolutionizing Gaming

Get ready for an extraordinary journey into the world of Web3 gaming! Blockchain tech has brought about a revolutionary era in gaming, opening up endless possibilities for gamers, developers, and investors. In this series of reports, we will delve into the exciting Web3 gaming ecosystems that are reshaping the gaming industry's future as we know it.

In this particular installment, we shine the spotlight on the Gala Games ecosystem. Co-authored with Gala Games and Dappradar, we’ve conducted a comprehensive exploration of Gala Games' gaming landscape. We shed light on the talented team propelling the ecosystem forward, showcase noteworthy projects and partnerships, and introduce the games that you need to keep an eye on.

Key takeaways

• Gala Games prioritizes fun and immersive gameplay, with the blockchain element taking a backseat, delivering complete entertainment to players.

• The team includes experienced developers from renowned titles like Doom, Halo, and Call of Duty, leading to significant growth with over 400 employees.

• The Gala brand allocates $5B to Web3 objectives, attracting top talent and achieving progress without venture capital or ICO.

• Gala Games taps into the mobile gaming scene by acquiring Ember Entertainment and its gaming portfolio with over 15 games with 20M+ downloads.

• Collaborating with Web2 entertainment titans expands Gala ecosystem's reach and offers engaging content to a larger user base.

• The success of Gala Game titles on Epic Games Store and Steam could pave the way for Web3 games in the mainstream.

• Gala Games and Huobi collaborate, resulting in ROCK DAO creation, expanding the GameFi ecosystem with a focus on Tron.

• Gala Games expands its portfolio, supports independent studios, and pursues strategic pillars for growth in 2023.

Table of Contents

• Gala Games: A Brief Dive In

• The Gala-ctic Team

• Revitalizing Blockchain Gaming: Why Gala Games?

• Gala Games: Commitment To Security, Transparency, And Accountability

• Rebuilding Trust: Redemption and Restitution

• A $2 Billion Token Burn!

• Spending Billions To Build A Powerhouse

• Gala Games’ Move to Mobile

• Expanding Horizons: Collaborations with Universal Games and DreamWorks

• An ‘Epic’ Partnership!

• ‘Steamy’ Launches

• ROCK DAO And Partnership With Huobi

• Beyond Gaming?

• Promising Games to Keep an Eye on

• An Ambitious Roadmap for 2023 and Beyond!

Introduction

In recent years, the gaming industry has witnessed the rise of numerous promising initiatives as companies strive to distinguish their ventures amidst the crowded landscape of crypto gaming projects. This industry's remarkable growth and immense potential have generated billions of dollars for speculators and attracted millions of people to participate.

However, like any emerging sector, the competition within the gaming industry is intense, and only a select few are likely to achieve long-term success. As companies continue to employ different strategies to ensure survival in this harsh landscape, Gala Games stands out as one of the top contenders.

What sets Gala Games apart is its commitment to creating AAA games that captivate gamers not solely because they leverage the blockchain- but because the games themselves are of exceptional quality. Gala Games understands that the key to success lies in delivering outstanding gaming experiences that appeal to a wide audience.

With this approach, Gala Games is positioning itself as a formidable player in the gaming industry, committed to delivering top-notch gaming experiences that can rival traditional AAA titles.

Gala Games: A Brief Dive In

Most Web3 games have unfortunately become monotonous, cumbersome, and uninteresting, paradoxically losing sight of the very essence that makes a digital game enjoyable- the fun, immersive, and entertaining gameplay.

Many players engage with most Web3 games solely due to their earning aspects rather than for the gameplay and enjoyment they provide. This frustrating trend has let down many gamers.

Enter Gala Games, a platform that houses a collection of blockchain games with the primary objective of making Web3 games enjoyable once again. Established in 2019, Gala Games is among the early pioneers in the P2E space. The platform operates based on four fundamental principles that drive its services:

1. Fun First: Gala Games places utmost importance on delivering its players a fun and engaging gaming experience.

2. Owned By Players: The platform emphasizes player ownership, allowing individuals to have a stake and influence in the games they participate in.

3. Community Rules: Gala Games values the input and involvement of its community, encouraging active participation and contribution to shape the platform's future.

4. Powered By The People: The platform operates with the collective power of its community members, fostering a sense of collective empowerment.

An intriguing aspect of Gala Games is its aim to make the blockchain element of its games take a backseat, focusing instead on delivering complete entertainment to players. Unlike many other platforms in the field, Gala Games has successfully expanded its functionality beyond the Ethereum network. It works with Binance Smart Chain and Polygon and plans to collaborate with Tron soon.

The Gala-ctic Team

Eric Schiermeyer and Michael McCarthy co-founded Gala Games. Schiermeyer, renowned for his role in co-founding Zynga, a major online gaming platform responsible for popular mobile games like Farmville and Mafia Wars, brings valuable expertise to Gala Games. McCarthy, who also had a background at Zynga as a director, joined forces with Schiermeyer to contribute to the vision of the Gala Games.

John Osvald, the President of Games at Gala Games, boasts a 15-year career in the gaming industry, primarily at Zynga, but most recently serving as the Head of Products at Electronic Arts' mobile games division. With his extensive experience, Osvald assumes the crucial responsibility of overseeing the development of games at the Gala Games, making him an ideal fit for the role.

Adding to the company's talent pool, Mark Skaggs, former vice-president of Electronic Arts (EA), has joined Gala Games as its Chief Operating Officer (COO), bringing his valuable industry insights to the team.

The development team at Gala Games has also expanded to include individuals who have contributed to the creation of renowned gaming titles such as Doom, Halo, Call of Duty, etc., further enriching the company's expertise.

In the span of four years, Gala Games has experienced significant growth, evolving from a startup to a multinational organization with over 400 employees.

Indeed, this success indicates that gaming presents a perfect use case for non-fungible tokens and other blockchain techs. Players strongly desire to own their hard-earned in-game items, and Gala Games appears well-prepared to meet this challenge.

Revitalizing Blockchain Gaming: Why Gala Games?

Gala Games sets itself apart from other platforms in the space with its bold vision for the future, centering around the growth of blockchain gaming. In contrast to the persistent debate between play-to-earn and play-and-earn models, Gala Games has consistently aimed to provide players with play-to-own opportunities, a feature the platform believes gamers have longed for across generations.

During a 2020 interview with egamers.io- well before the NFT boom- Gala Games Co-Founder Eric Schiermeyer extensively discussed the fundamental principles that form the foundation of Gala Games' overarching strategy.

He shed light on the increasingly predatory monetization tactics employed by mainstream triple-A publishers, who prioritize player retention and profit at the expense of user satisfaction.

Here are three key aspects that make Gala Games stand out:

1. Exceptional Gaming Experience

Gala Games is revolutionizing blockchain game design by prioritizing an exceptional gaming experience. While many play-to-earn games focus solely on repetitive gameplay to facilitate earning, Gala Games recognizes the importance of providing gamers with an enjoyable and immersive experience. By understanding that emphasizing technical aspects of blockchain alone may alienate the gaming community, Gala Games aims to attract casual users drawn to the earning facet and hardcore gamers seeking captivating gameplay.

2. Player Empowerment 

Gala Games empowers players through its innovative approach to blockchain-powered gaming. Leveraging blockchain tech, Gala Games offers players true ownership of in-game assets. This ownership extends beyond the game's ecosystem, enabling players to trade, sell, or utilize their assets in various ways, fostering a player-driven economy.

The Gala Nodes is another empowering aspect, allowing players to own and operate a part of the gaming ecosystem. By running a Gala Node, players can earn rewards like GALA tokens and NFTs while contributing to the growth and stability of the Gala Games network. Furthermore, users can influence the development of the Gala Games ecosystem and witness its growth through the operation of decentralized nodes.

3. Solid Community Support 

Gala Games thrives on the unwavering support of a dedicated community of gamers. The platform values and carefully listens to the feedback provided by the community, actively incorporating their suggestions and making changes accordingly. By involving the players in the development process, the Gala Games team ensures that the games resonate with a wide audience, leading to high public acceptance and engagement levels.

Gala Games aims to address the criticism that many blockchain games prioritize monetary incentives over enjoyable gameplay. They focus on creating "blockchain games you'll actually want to play." The Gala platform offers various services to achieve this goal:

Diverse Games: Gala Games hosts immersive games with crypto-based rewards, including multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), real-time strategy (RTS), simulator, and role-playing (RPG) games. Examples of these games are Spider Tanks, Legends Reborn, GRIT, Walking Dead: Empires, etc.

NFTs for Ownership: In-game items such as weapons, tools, and skins are tradeable on the Gala Store, which acts as an NFT marketplace. Gala Games also leverages OpenSea and other NFT marketplaces to facilitate trading these items.

Film and music: The Gala brand has expanded its offerings beyond gaming, venturing into film and music with its platforms, Gala Film and Gala Music. While Gala Games is a division of the Gala brand, Gala Film and Gala Music are distinct entities also owned by the Gala brand. Together, they contribute to the brand's diverse and multifaceted presence in the entertainment industry. Moreover, these platforms offer artists a direct channel to showcase and sell their creations to consumers, potentially allowing game studios to extend their franchises beyond gaming.

In February 2022, Gala Games introduced Project GYRI (now called GalaChain), an independent blockchain designed to host the Gala ecosystem. While initially a permissioned blockchain, the Gala team intends to transition it to a more decentralized model once its stability is proven.

Gala Games empowers users by giving them control over the items they own and the entire Gala network through its decentralized node system and GALA token. Over 50,000 player-run nodes power the ecosystem.

Four principal types of nodes power the network:

1. Founder's Nodes: These nodes are owned by users who can vote on the project's evolution using GALA. Only 50,000 Founder Nodes are available, and they can be purchased from Gala platform using the GALA token.

2. Game Nodes: Users who host gaming servers may receive special allowances and considerations in the games they support, such as NFT rewards and the ability to invite other players.

Node architecture. Source: Gala Games blog

Besides, Gala Games has partnered with notable entities such as Polygon, Flare, Bitrue, Binance Smart Chain, Brave, and Opera. The collaboration with Polygon, a leading player in the Web3 gaming scene, hints at exciting potential developments expected in the near future.

Gala Games: Commitment To Security, Transparency, And Accountability

Gala Games recently successfully underwent CertiK's rigorous verification and due diligence process, earning the prestigious Gold KYC Badge. CertiK is an industry benchmark and needs no introduction.

The Gold KYC badge is a significant recognition of the Gala Games team's integrity and trustworthiness.

CertiK's team of experienced former intelligence and law enforcement investigators conducted a thorough risk assessment of the team members.

The fact that Gala Games' core team passed CertiK's verification and vetting process provides an added layer of safety and security for the entire ecosystem.

Users can have confidence knowing that the project team has been identified and verified, and CertiK securely holds their personal information.

Source: Certik

Undoubtedly, Gala Games remains steadfast in its commitment to providing the highest security and trustworthiness. The achievement of the CertiK KYC Gold badge, along with its position on the CertiK Security Leaderboard and the Verified Teams Leaderboard, further solidifies its dedication to these principles.

Furthermore, Gala Games has launched a bug bounty program in collaboration with Immunefi, the leading Web3 bug bounty platform. This program offers a total of $1 million in rewards throughout 2023. The bug bounty program invites white hat hackers and security researchers to uncover and report vulnerabilities within Gala Games' various platform components.

With bounties ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, individual rewards are determined based on the potential threat level associated with each identified issue. This initiative aims to ensure a safer and more secure experience for Gala Games' rapidly growing user base.

Gala Games continues to prioritize the highest level of security, trust, and innovation, fostering an ecosystem where creators and users can thrive.

Rebuilding Trust: Redemption and Restitution

Gala Games experienced a setback with the infamous pNetwork hack, which raised concerns about the platform's stability. On November 4, 2022, chaos ensued as fears emerged of a potential billion-dollar hack or rug pull.

The concerns arose when a single blockchain address seemingly minted over $1 billion worth of pGALA tokens from the pGALA bridge (a third party tool not associated with Gala Games). PeckShield, a crypto watchdog, flagged this suspicious activity, and pNetwork, which provides routing infrastructure for DeFi and gaming tokens, including GALA, appeared to be involved. The chaos resulted in Huobi temporarily delisting the $GALA token.

At the time, pNetwork, Gala Games' cross-chain interoperability bridge, stated that it had orchestrated a "white hat attack" on itself to prevent malicious actors from stealing users' funds.

However, in March 2023, Gala Games took legal action and filed a lawsuit seeking $27.7 million in damages and compensation from pNetwork.

Additionally, in April 2023, Huobi and Gala Games made efforts to provide restitution to GALA token holders affected by the pGALA scheme. Huobi pledged $25 million worth of cash and user benefits, including 15 million USDT and $10 million equivalent equity compensation for the victims. On the other hand, Gala Games offered affected users $25 million worth of node licenses as a form of restitution.

These initiatives aimed to alleviate the losses the affected GALA token holders suffered and restore confidence in the Gala Games ecosystem.

A $2 Billion Token Burn!

In May 2023, Gala Games deliberately decided to burn $637 million worth of $GALA tokens. The gaming platform took this action in response to the community's request for a reduction in token supply.

Gala Games faced a challenge with an excessive supply of its native token, $GALA, which caused concern among the Gala community. There was apprehension that the team might sell off their holdings and exit the space, contributing to a 96% price drop in 2022.

To address these concerns, Gala Games released its 2023 Vision Paper, in which the team committed to burning two billion $GALA tokens over the year.

Additionally, the platform burned an additional 3,961,582,987 $GALA tokens, representing the total amount of tokens it had received in revenue since its launch in 2019. This move improved community sentiment and strengthened the platform's node ecosystem.

After completing its V2 token airdrop, Gala Games continued its efforts. On-chain data revealed that the Web3 gaming company burned an additional 15 billion tokens, bringing the total number of burned tokens to nearly 21 billion. This significant burn amounted to approximately $637 million based on current valuations. The team has plans to burn roughly $2 billion worth of tokens by the end of 2023.

Jason Brink, President of Blockchain, Gala Games, emphasized the importance of sustainability, stating, "At a fundamental level, we believe that if the ecosystem is going to work and be sustainable in the long-term, we need to be able to live off the rewards we receive from the ecosystem as well—not have a gigantic pile of GALA we could dip into whenever."

Spending Billions To Build A Powerhouse

Describing the Gala brand as "ambitious" would be an understatement, as the Web3 platform has set its sights not just on games but also on dominating various industries within the Web3 space, including music, film, and other entertainment sectors. Gala demonstrates its commitment through substantial financial investments:

In December 2021, the Gala brand announced a collaboration with C2 Ventures to establish a $100 million blockchain gaming fund. This joint fund aimed to support game developers and emerging projects utilizing blockchain technology, encompassing areas such as play-to-earn, GameFi, metaverses, and other decentralized gaming solutions. The goal was to foster innovation and drive the growth of the blockchain gaming industry.

Building upon this ambitious foundation, the Gala brand revealed an extensive expansion plan in February 2022, allocating a staggering $5 billion to its Web3 objectives. This substantial allocation covers various creative domains, including gaming, movies, music, and theme park NFTs.

• With $2 billion earmarked for gaming, Gala Games demonstrates its unwavering focus on advancing and revolutionizing this sector.

• Additionally, $1 billion is dedicated to pursuing the platform's music ambitions, while another $1 billion is for producing innovative and captivating movies. The remaining $1 billion is set aside for Gala theme park NFTs, presenting a unique opportunity to explore immersive digital experiences.

These substantial financial resources will attract top talent from the entertainment industry and serve as a strong foundation for creating groundbreaking works across different genres. Gala Games aims to push the boundaries of what is possible within the Web3 space, enabling the creation of compelling and transformative content that resonates with a global audience.

Moreover, it's important to highlight that Gala Games has achieved remarkable progress without venture capital funding or conducting an initial coin offering (ICO) for its native GALA token.

While Gala Games did obtain some funding from Binance Smart Chain's (BSC) $100M Accelerator Fund, it drew its initial funding from building a strong supporter base by selling Founder's Nodes.

Besides, Gala Games generates revenue by selling NFTs for its existing and upcoming blockchain games, which are available on the Gala store. This organic and community-driven approach demonstrates Gala Games' commitment to building a sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystem.

Gala Games’ Move to Mobile

In February 2023, Gala Games made an exciting announcement regarding the acquisition of Ember Entertainment and its extensive gaming portfolio, which includes over 15 games. These games have collectively amassed more than 20 million downloads since their launch.

Ember Entertainment is renowned for its notable title, Walking Dead: Empires, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the popular AMC series 'The Walking Dead.' Gala Games had been collaborating with Ember on this game before the acquisition.

However, the acquisition not only included Walking Dead: Empires but also Ember's entire collection of mobile games. Gala Games has integrated titles like Dragon Strike: Puzzle RPG and Meow Match into the Gala ecosystem, and more are in the pipeline.

Bridging the Gap: Leveraging familiarity of in-game tokens

The Gala brand is innovatively linking the creation of in-game premium currency, called 'Gems,' to the burning of $GALA tokens. This approach streamlines the integration of games into the Gala ecosystem, leveraging the familiarity of in-game currencies from Web2 mobile games.

Gems enable players to seamlessly participate in the Gala ecosystem by purchasing in-game items with fiat currency- removing barriers that may deter Web2 mobile users or casual gamers from exploring Web3 games of the Gala ecosystem. Additionally, Gems can serve as introductory rewards, encouraging players to transition into the full blockchain experience.

However, it's important to note that Gems is not a cryptocurrency but an in-game currency.

• The only difference from other traditional in-game coins is that the creation of Gems is tied to the burning of $GALA tokens.

• When players purchase Gems using fiat within the game, the equivalent value of $GALA tokens is sent to a burn address and effectively removed from circulation.

Notably, since Gems are non-transferable, and their creation is intrinsically linked to the burning of $GALA tokens, they are a unique and valuable asset in the Gala Games universe. Gala Games plans to implement this monetization strategy first in 'Meow Match' and then in 'Dragon Strike.' The platform also plans to extend this strategy to its mobile game portfolio and potentially non-mobile games in the future.

Notably, Meow Match was the first to implement a crypto strategy among the integrated titles. This move is part of Gala Games' long-term strategic plan. Through this integration, Gala Games aims to provide high-quality gaming experiences to cater to the expectations of over 2.5 billion mobile gamers.

Undoubtedly, this acquisition aligns with Gala Games' vision of empowering players to take control of their digital assets and offers an expanded selection of rewarding gaming experiences.

The growth of mobile gaming has been truly remarkable, surpassing even the impressive expansion of PC gaming. Mobile devices, conveniently accessible at our fingertips, have become the most comfortable and preferred entertainment devices. Gaming experiences on mobile have become sleeker, faster, and more convenient than many PC and console gamers may realize. The advancement of technologies has blurred the boundaries between mobile and console gaming, bringing the advantages of console gaming to mobile users.

This progression is significant as it allows Gala Games to tap into the vast potential of mobile gaming for several reasons:

• Onboarding New Users

• Building a Sustainable Ecosystem

• Empowering People through Play

• Worldwide Accessibility

• Rapid Game Publication

Source: The Games Market in 2022: The Year in Numbers | Newzoo

The mobile gaming market's significance cannot be overstated, with its dominant position in the gaming industry. With over 2.5 billion active users and annual revenues surpassing $103 billion in 2022, mobile gaming now accounts for more than 50% of global gaming revenue. Although the year-over-year growth may show signs of slowing down, studios continue to venture into the mobile space, recognizing its immense potential for success.

The acquisition of Ember Entertainment by Gala Games not only expands the ecosystem with a diverse portfolio of mobile games but also allows Gala Games to offer a broader range of engaging experiences to its existing user base and tap into the lucrative mobile gaming scene.

Expanding Horizons: Collaborations with Universal Games and DreamWorks

In June 2022, Gala Games announced its partnership with Universal Games and Digital Platforms to develop a Battlestar Galactica Web3 game, Battlestar Galactica Eternity (previously called Project Saturn). This official Battlestar Galactica game is set in the same universe as the beloved series reboot from the early 2000s. The multiplayer strategy game takes place approximately 40 years after the First Cylon War, with each new season introducing unique circumstances for survivors to navigate.

Additionally, the Gala brand collaborated with Universal Games and Digital Platforms again on the release of DreamWorks Animation's Trolls VOX, a collection of digital collectibles inspired by characters from the popular blockbuster film franchise. The collaboration involved the release of 8,888 unique DreamWorks Animation's Trolls VOX, including collectibles featuring characters like Poppy, Branch, and Guy Diamond.

The Trolls franchise is known for its award-winning music, heartwarming stories, and diverse characters. It includes hit films like "Trolls" (2016) and "Trolls World Tour" (2020), as well as TV series and digital content. The original movie earned nearly $350 million worldwide.

VoxVerse serves as the NFT-powered metaverse for Gala's VOX Collectibles. VOX tokens are one-of-a-kind NFTs with 3D animations and future utility, enhancing the interactive experience within the VoxVerse metaverse.

Jim Molinets, the SVP of Production at Universal Games and Digital Platforms, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "The DreamWorks Animation's Trolls VOX will further our goal of expanding the DreamWorks Animation Trolls franchise in new and unique ways, providing fans with compelling opportunities to engage with their favorite characters."

By partnering with established entertainment companies like Universal Games and Digital Platforms, Gala ecosystem gains access to valuable intellectual properties and expertise, enabling the platform to offer a broader range of engaging content and attract a larger user base.

These collaborations align with the Gala brand’s ambitious vision of dominating various industries within the Web3 space, including gaming, music and film.

An ‘Epic’ Partnership!

Last year, Gala Games and Epic Games forged a publishing deal to bring Gala Games’ titles to the Epic Games Store. The leading digital game distribution platform (akin to Steam or GOG.com) boasts a user base of over 230 million PC gamers, according to Epic Games' "2022 Year in Review" post from March.

Epic Games, renowned for its wildly successful battle royale game Fortnite, peaked with 15.3 million concurrent users during the Chapter 2 Season 5 finale in December 2020. While current estimates suggest around 3 million concurrent users, Fortnite remains the world's second most popular game in terms of active monthly users, surpassing titles like COD: Warzone and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Seeking to replicate this level of popularity, Gala Games' GRIT was one of the first titles to debut on the Epic Games Store. Like Fortnite, GRIT is a battle royale game- but set in the gun-slinging Wild West.

Gala Games expressed excitement about this significant development in a press release, highlighting its potential for the present and future, stating, "Epic is a pioneer and visionary in the video game industry. Gala Games' titles being available on the Epic Games Store brings legitimacy to this new genre of gaming. Easy access to Web3 games is a turning point for those players who have not yet seen how digital ownership can enrich the gaming experience."

The Web3 movement has sparked controversy in the gaming industry, with some developers and players criticizing NFTs and other crypto products as overhyped and potentially exploitative.

However, Epic Games' co-founder and CEO, Tim Sweeney, made it clear in a tweet that NFTs and blockchain game creators have a place within the Epic Games Store. As a result, a range of Web3 studios has launched games on the platform.

Gala Games partnered with Mythical Games and became the first to release a blockchain game on the store with Blankos Block Party in September 2022. Other titles are following suit, with Immutable X’s Gods Unchained being the latest.

Currently, the Epic Games Store features nearly 30 blockchain games, with the majority planning to go live publicly in 2023. Moreover, several of these titles offer early access codes to their communities for testing purposes. Examples include Superior, MetalCore, World Eternal Online, and The Machines Arena, demonstrating the growing presence of Web3 games on the platform, particularly by Gala Games.

These developments occur amid ongoing resistance from Steam, the world's largest PC game distributor, against Web3 publishers. In October 2021, Steam made it clear that it did not welcome Web3 games on its platform and subsequently delisted Age of Rust due to the advantages the game provided to holders of its NFTs.

In January 2022, Ubisoft admitted that its attempt to engage with the NFT space had failed because "gamers don't get it." However, DappRadar reports that investments in blockchain games and metaverse projects have shown promising signs in 2023.

The coming months will be crucial in determining whether blockchain games can attract a substantial audience on the Epic Games Store, one of PC's largest online gaming marketplaces.

Tim Sweeney criticized marketplaces like Steam, stating, "Let's just be honest about what was really happening there. The other stores aren't blocking crypto games because they think 'crypto' equals 'bad.'" He insists that many marketplaces still "distribute all kinds of bad stuff." Sweeney further suggested that these marketplaces simply aim to collect their 30% fees ( a jab at Apple) and block anyone who refuses to comply.

With GRIT receiving prominent placement on the Epic Games Store, it could pave the way for other notable Web3 games if it resonates with a group of gamers who may be skeptical of NFTs. The game's free admission, combined with the enduring popularity of the battle royale genre and the implementation of "Generative Hero NFTs," could prove to be the pivotal factors in making headway among non-blockchain gamers.

‘Steamy’ Launches

Gala Games made a significant move in its campaign to transition gaming industry giants into the Web3 space by launching Superior, a roguelite co-op third-person shooter game, on Steam as an early access title in November 2022.

Developed by Drifter, a Seattle-based game development studio known for employing former lead developers from the Gears of War franchise, Superior's Steam launch marked a milestone achievement for Gala Games. Steam, being the largest video game distributor, has the potential to drive increased user counts within the Gala ecosystem, given its extensive user base of 131 million monthly active gamers and a passionate community.

It's important to note that the Steam edition of Superior does not incorporate NFTs or any other blockchain tech. However, players on Steam can enjoy cross-play capabilities, allowing them to team up with players from other platforms. While direct ownership capabilities are not available within Steam, players have the option to migrate their accounts to the Gala Games launcher or other potential platforms in the future.

Superior has garnered positive reviews and is well-received in the market, contributing to its success.

More recently, Gala Games launched playtest of Legends Reborn, a new RPG featuring unique gameplay and NFT integration, on Steam. The playtest availability of Legends Reborn on Steam offers the advantage of cross-play, enabling players from both Steam and Gala Games to participate in matches together.

However, Steam's ban on NFTs presents a challenge for Legends Reborn, as the player-owned items represented by NFTs can only be utilized through a Gala Games account, limiting the full experience for Steam users.

Although Steam does not currently support games with NFT integration, allowing Web3 companies like Gala Games to list their creations on the platform (albeit without NFT functionality) provides an excellent opportunity to introduce crypto gaming to a wide audience. With a massive user base of 120 million monthly users on Steam, capturing the attention of these gamers will play a vital role in driving the mass adoption of blockchain gaming.

Moreover, the presence of Gala Games' titles on Steam, even without full NFT integration, creates an opportunity to generate awareness and interest in the broader crypto-gaming concept. The exposure of Gala Games' creations on the platform introduces the idea of digital ownership and the potential benefits of blockchain tech to a mainstream gaming audience. This exposure helps build familiarity, trust, and curiosity among gamers, paving the way for future adoption of Gala Games' fully integrated Web3 titles and Web3 games as a whole.

ROCK DAO And Partnership With Huobi

In March 2023, Huobi Global and Gala Games joined forces to collaborate on investment and listing opportunities for Web3 projects. The partnership aims to enhance Huobi's Web3 objectives and involves integrating the GalaChain to improve the underlying on-chain technology.

One of the initiatives resulting from this collaboration is the ROCK DAO and $ROCK token. The total supply of $ROCK is 5,973,780,169 tokens, with 1.4 billion serving as the reserve fund for ROCK DAO; and Gala Games and Huobi holding 0.7 billion each. The 1.4 billion $ROCK tokens in the reserve fund will never enter the secondary market and function as governance tokens, granting holders voting rights.

Gala Games plans to establish connections with the Tron ecosystem and integrate $ROCK with the Gala Games ecosystem. ROCK DAO will closely collaborate with Huobi and Gala Games to explore the Web3 GameFi ecosystem, enhance the gaming experience, foster cooperative partnerships, and facilitate community governance. In the Gala Games ecosystem, $ROCK will serve as a reward token and can be used to offset commission fees in the NFT market.

Gala Games has plans to migrate its entire entertainment ecosystem to its own layer-1 blockchain called Project GYRI. $ROCK will play a significant role in the Gala Games entertainment ecosystem as a utility token.

The cooperation with Rock DAO and Huobi presents Gala Games with an excellent opportunity to expand its global reach and develop the GameFi ecosystem. Gala Games aims to establish itself as a key partner of the Tron Network and work closely with Tron to advance the Web3 gaming industry.

Beyond Gaming?

Web3 companies in the entertainment industry recognize the importance of flexible NFT minting and the need to onboard as many people as possible to the Web3 space. It is why many firms, including the Gala brand, are diversifying their platforms, even if they are still in development phases.

The Gala brand is taking steps to expand its presence in the Web3 ecosystem through Gala Film and Gala Music. Gala Film is a platform that allows users to engage in "watch-to-earn" mechanics, while Gala Music provides a similar experience with "listen-to-earn" mechanics.

Gala Games, as a division of the Gala brand, coexists alongside the distinct entities Gala Film and Gala Music- all under the ownership of the Gala brand.

Gala Music

Following the popularity of Gala Games' first title, Town Star, the platform decided to cater to musicians looking to enter the Web3 space through NFTs. Launched in February 2022, Gala Music embodies Gala Games' core values of shared ownership and decentralization, as stated on its website. Gala Music aims to strengthen the relationship between musicians and fans, going beyond the traditional game-player dynamic.

Leading the way in this endeavor is the iconic rapper, Snoop Dogg, who acquired the branding rights to Death Row Records, the record label that played a significant role in launching his career in 1993. Snoop Dogg has joined Gala Music as one of its prominent artists, with the ultimate goal of establishing a fully decentralized Web3 record label, often referred to as Death Row Records 3.0.

Player and Fan Node systems are at the heart of Gala Music's functionality. $BEAMS, the platform token, will unlock rewards for listeners and artists, creating an ecosystem that benefits all participants. Gala Music strives to create a dynamic and interactive platform that redefines how music is consumed and experienced in the Web3 era.

Gala Film

Gala Films, an arm of the Gala brand's decentralized entertainment ecosystem, aims to revolutionize the film industry through its node system. Operators who own these nodes will receive tangible rewards for their contributions.

So, what does Gala Film offer?

Beyond the promise of rewards and greater equity for emerging filmmakers, Gala Film plays a crucial role in the Gala brand's overarching goal of providing its supporters with a truly metaversal experience. The roadmap outlines plans for IPs premiering on Gala Film to feature interoperability with Gala Games and vice versa.

One project that exemplifies this hope is RZR, a series debuted exclusively on Gala Film.

Like Gala Music, Gala Film seeks to deepen the connection between artists and their fans. One notable project that embodies this vision is Razor, a series exclusively debuted on Gala Film. Led by actor and producer David Bianchi, RZR offers interested users an inside look at the ongoing development of the series. Through this innovative concept of audience participation, the project aims to provide future fans with unprecedented insights into the creative process.

Source: Deleted Tweet

In an interesting development, Gala Games tweeted about a collaboration with A-list Hollywood stars Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The now-deleted tweet revealed plans for users to acquire Gala Films movie tickets through QR codes. The announcement sparked significant excitement, leading to a remarkable surge of over 120% in the GALA token price.

A Gala Games representative confirmed the collaboration, stating, "The announcement post was meant to be a closed post for the Discord community and wasn't supposed to be shared in a public place," the anonymous spokesperson said. "It was also part of a larger conversation in Discord about where Gala Film was headed. Gala took the tweet down out of respect to all involved partners but we look forward to sharing more about these projects in the near future."

Gala Films and Gala Music within the Gala ecosystem not only diversify the offerings but also create synergies that enhance the overall user experience. Ultimately, the expansion into film and music through these platforms enriches the Gala Games ecosystem, driving its growth and cementing its position as a prominent player in the Web3 entertainment industry.

Promising Games to Keep an Eye on

1. Spider Tanks (Live)

Spider Tanks, developed by the Netherlands-based award-winning game studio Gamedia, is a popular PvP brawler for PC and Mac. With its focus on eSports, it offers a thrilling and competitive gaming experience. The game allows players to craft their tanks and engage in intense combat against other players.

Similar to popular games like Brawl Stars by SuperCell, Spider Tanks offers a straightforward premise: assemble your tank and jump into various game modes for endless entertainment.

Gameplay and Customization Options

• The game encompasses a variety of maps and game modes that offer fast-paced, strategic, and enjoyable gameplay experiences.

• The ability to customize tanks with different bodies and Weapons and 20 distinct abilities adds depth and personalization to the gameplay experience.

• The garage feature is a central hub for upgrading and customizing tanks' weaponry and abilities, allowing gamers to create unique battle machines.

Strategic Gameplay and Teamwork

• While powerful weapons and useful upgrades are essential in Spider Tanks, the game revolves around strategy and teamwork.

• Players must collaborate with their teammates to devise effective strategies that outsmart their enemies in the intense battle arena.

• The emphasis on strategy enhances the game's competitive nature, offering players a dynamic and immersive gameplay experience.

Catering To All With Diverse Gaming Options

• Spider Tanks caters to players of all backgrounds with its clean UI and diverse gaming options.

• Players can engage in training sessions against bots, host or join exhibition games, or challenge themselves in the tense survival mode.

Profit Opportunities

• Spider Tanks offers a range of exciting game modes, including Team Deathmatch, Chicken Chaser, Capture the Flag, King of the Hill, Kill Confirmed, and Poultry Pusher.

• Tank ownership is based on NFTs, allowing players to rent out their tanks to others.

• Each tank comprises a unique combination of Body, Weapon, and at least two Abilities. (Body and Weapon function as individual NFTs, while abilities don't).

• Tanks can also have NFTs for Skins and Props, which provide stat boosts and add further customization options.

• Victories in matches reward players with Victory Points, with rarer Tank NFTs yielding higher points.

• Players can acquire Land in Spider Tanks as Planetary Nodes or Maps, opening up further opportunities for engagement and progression.

Honor system

Spider Tanks introduced the groundbreaking "Honor" system to its players, aiming to foster fair play, deter exploitative behavior, and preserve the game's essence.

• A player's Honor score determines the level of rewards they can earn, with positive actions increasing and maintaining the score, while negative actions decrease it, resulting in reduced rewards.

• Since its launch, Gala Games has adjusted the Honor system, such as raising the starting Honor score and enhancing rewards for positive actions.

• Additionally, players can transfer a limited amount of $SILK daily without affecting their Honor score.

Spider Tanks is a captivating and addictive game catering to novice and experienced P2E players. While the game demands a certain level of skill and quick thinking, it remains accessible and engaging for a wide range of gamers.

With its commitment to ongoing development, Spider Tanks constantly introduces new maps and modes, keeping players invested and eager to experience the tank-driven mayhem that lies ahead.

As the game continues to evolve, incorporating new features and expanding its player base, Spider Tanks is poised to significantly impact Web3 eSports and capture the attention of gaming enthusiasts worldwide.

2. Town Star (Beta)

Town Star is a farm and town-building simulation game that offers players a delightful and addictive gaming experience. Developed as a competitive agricultural game, Town Star challenges players to build efficient and productive towns within a specified time frame.

With its simplistic visuals and engaging gameplay, Town Star has gained popularity among players, reminiscent of the addictive nature of games like Clash of Clans.

Captivating Town-Building Experience

• Town Star was launched in the first half of 2020, introducing players to a captivating town-building experience.

• Players compete against each other to construct the most effective and productive towns.

• The game combines farm management, resource gathering, and crafting elements to create an engaging gameplay loop.

• The charming cartoon aesthetic and accessible browser-based gameplay make Town Star appealing and relaxing.

Strategic Gameplay

• Gameplay mechanics are reminiscent of other farming games, with players clicking and collecting resources.

• Strategic town planning is crucial for success in Town Star, requiring players to consider factors such as location, transportation routes, resources, and available space.

• Players start with a small number of assets and expand their towns by assigning farmers to tend crops and lumberjacks to harvest trees for construction materials.

• Recruiting additional staff and expanding infrastructure contribute to the growth and productivity of the town.

Free-to-Play Experience and NFT Enhancements

• Town Star offers a free-to-play experience with a variety of buildings and features available.

• NFTs can be purchased from the Gala Games store or from other players to unlock additional gameplay layers and enhancements.

• These NFTs provide quality-of-life improvements, such as specialized storage buildings or speed-up bonuses.

• Cosmetic changes, including skins and promotional tie-ins, are also available through NFTs.

• The game is transitioning its economy to $GALA and has ceased issuing $TOWN, its original in-game token.

Accessibility and Versatility

• Town Star is a browser-based game, eliminating the need for installation and allowing gameplay on most modern browsers.

• The game's accessibility makes it playable on various devices, including PCs, Macs, and phones.

Town Star appeals to simulation and management game enthusiasts seeking an immersive and engaging experience with its simplistic visuals, strategic depth, and play-to-earn mechanics.

Whether planning the most efficient town or earning coins through NFT enhancements, Town Star offers a unique gaming experience combining enjoyable gameplay and economic opportunities. A relaxing game indeed!

3. Superior (Early Access Launch)

Superior is a unique third-person shooter game that puts players in the role of a superhero tasked with saving the city from corrupted versions of beloved characters. Developed by Drifter, this co-op, roguelite, third-person shooter blockchain NFT game offers an immersive gameplay experience with stunning cartoonish graphics and engaging shooting mechanics.

Lore

Superior introduces players to a world where heroes have turned evil, leaving the city in chaos. As a regular person oppressed by these mad superheroes, the player's mission is to restore peace and justice.

In this co-op, roguelite, third-person shooter, players embark on a journey to defeat corrupted versions of superheroes and save the day. The player starts as an ordinary person, gradually gaining superpowers by hunting down and stealing abilities from the evil superheroes, eventually becoming a formidable 'super' themselves.

• Players can earn in-game rewards by defeating rogue superheroes, but death results in a restart with weakened abilities.

Art Style

• Superior showcases a visually appealing cartoonish art style that seamlessly integrates character design with the in-game environment.

• The art style resembles the movie "A Scanner Darkly" and sets the game apart from others.

• The game also draws comparisons to titles like Borderlands, with its distinct visuals, FPS elements, and over-the-topness.

• The game offers unique gameplay mechanics, visually appealing graphics, and an immersive sound design that enhances the overall experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

• The gameplay is smooth, with enjoyable shooting mechanics.

• Players can engage in close combat using automatic weapons or take a strategic approach with long-range rifles.

• The ability to steal the powers of defeated superheroes allows players to acquire additional abilities, enhancing their hero-hunting experience and adding depth to the gameplay.

• However, defeating enemies and bosses is a challenging task that requires skill and teamwork.

Launch on Steam and Epic Games

• Superior offers in-game characters as limited quantity NFTs.

• The game is available on Steam but does not include NFTs or blockchain features.

• Players must create a Gala Games account to access NFTs and blockchain mechanics.

• Steam and Gala Games players can interact and play together on the game's servers.

• Players may need to purchase NFT characters from other players if certain characters become unavailable.

• Superior will soon launch on Epic Game store.

Superior stands out as a unique and visually captivating third-person shooter game that immerses players in a battle against corrupted heroes. With its distinctive art style, engaging gameplay mechanics, and integration of NFTs, Superior offers an enjoyable gaming experience for players seeking a blend of cooperative gameplay, roguelite elements, and stunning visuals.

4. GRIT (Live)

GRIT is an immersive and free-to-play Battle Royale MMO designed exclusively for Windows PCs, offering players the unique opportunity to possess and utilize in-game assets backed by NFTs. Originally set to launch on Steam for $20, Gala Games took over the game, which aimed to expand development and make it free-to-play with optional NFTs.

These assets grant players complete ownership, allowing them to use or sell these items in secondary marketplaces to other players, fostering a dynamic and player-driven economy.

GRIT | Ride-or-die battle royale set in the Wild West

Since then, Grit has made significant progress and achieved a major milestone by launching on the Epic Games Store in May.

Gameplay

• GRIT offers an enjoyable and seamless gaming experience with easy-to-learn mechanics.

• Matches are fast-paced, lasting 15 to 20 minutes, and feature intense player engagement and an ever-constricting ring of environmental toxins (similar to popular titles such as PUBG, Fortnite, or Apex Legends).

While some enthusiasts of Red Dead Redemption may dismiss GRIT as a low-resolution imitation, the game stands apart and offers its own distinctive experience. It is necessary to note that other exceptional Western-themed games are available, such as Weird West, which caters to a different gaming audience.

Conversely, GRIT caters to battle royale enthusiasts who may prefer shorter bursts of PVP action and seek a game that doesn't require the same time commitment as a single-player role-playing game (RPG).

Source: GRIT

• GRIT introduces strategic depth through its intricate game mechanics, including different tiers of weapons (comparable to Fortnite or PUBG's common, rare, epic, or legendary tiers) and associated card "suits" that offer unique benefits.

• Various in-game items, such as doctor's bags and armor, enhance the gameplay experience.

Game Economy

• GRIT utilizes the GALA token as its in-game currency and reward system.

• Players earn Victory Points by completing quests and achieving top placements in matches, determining their share of the daily reward pool.

• A Battle Pass is available, unlocking usable and cosmetic items.

• Potential future additions like leaderboards and tournaments are also on the horizon.

Visual Appeal and Accessibility

Despite initial concerns about the game's graphics expressed by some players, GRIT is undeniably visually appealing.

• While the game could enhance graphics and physics for those utilizing higher-end machines, it compensates through captivating and diverse maps featuring lush forests, arid deserts, and atmospheric abandoned towns.

• The game accommodates a wide range of gaming setups and doesn't require high-end hardware, ensuring accessibility for a broader audience.

GRIT exhibits immense promise as an early example of a robust Web3 game. Its gameplay, the crux of any successful title, is already solid, fun, and seemingly boundless regarding replayability, even in its pre-release build. Furthermore, the game possesses a welcoming environment for casual players, making it an ideal choice for a fun-filled gaming session with friends.

5. The Walking Dead Empires (In Development)

The Walking Dead: Empires (TWDE) is an upcoming zombie survival massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in the post-apocalyptic world of AMC's popular TV series, The Walking Dead. Developed for Windows PC and Mac, TWDE aims to deliver an immersive gaming experience in a world overrun by the undead.

With the current resurgence of zombie-themed entertainment, led by HBO's "The Last of Us" and the launch of the Web3 shooter Undead Blocks, TWDE enters the scene as a survival-centric MMORPG.

Setting

• The game thrusts players into a harsh world where they must scavenge, craft, and fight to survive while rebuilding society from the ground up.

• TWDE offers idle defense and base-building mechanics, allowing players to fortify their positions using in-game resources.

• Gathering supplies, teaming up with others, and constructing shelters are essential for survival.

Gameplay

• The game provides a third-person perspective and a sandbox-like task of building fortifications.

• The gameplay experience is relatively tame compared to typical zombie-themed games, with bright lighting and minimal gory audio effects.

• The leveling-up process feels more like a traditional RPG, providing an easy grind for progression.

NFT Integration and Web3 Aspects

• TWDE embraces NFTs and offers various in-game assets for sale as NFTs through Gala Games' store.

• Players can acquire Land, Characters and Crafting Stations as NFTs, fostering a player-driven economy.

• Crafting different survival gear, including owning an NFT Crafting Station, is a notable feature.

• Land NFTs allow players to purchase and develop land within the game world.

• Building shelters on owned land provides accommodations for other players, contributing to collective survival efforts.

Purchasing NFTs is optional, as TWDE is completely free-to-play, and in-game crafted items do not become NFTs.

• The primary advantage of acquiring NFTs is the option to enhance the gameplay experience, similar to premium boosts in traditional games.

• Owning NFTs in the game world also offers other benefits, such as other players utilizing your specialized crafting station and paying you resources each time or players settling on your land and contributing to its development in exchange for shelter and safety.

Although still in development, TWDE demonstrates significant promise as an MMORPG, providing intuitive gameplay and clear paths for advancement. It caters to casual players and dedicated grinders, offering an enjoyable experience without a particularly terrifying atmosphere.

As the game continues to evolve and approach its full launch, fans of The Walking Dead franchise and zombie enthusiasts alike can look forward to immersing themselves in this unique post-apocalyptic world.

6. Mirandus (In Development)

Mirandus is an upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in a medieval fantasy world. The game, which is still in development, offers a unique first-person perspective and a minimalist visual aesthetic, immersing players in a captivating virtual realm.

Mirandus - Join the Adventure

The playtest for Mirandus commenced in May 2023, giving players a taste of what's to come. The game appeals to fans of Minecraft and Animal Crossing who desire a more immersive and high-stakes experience.

Setting

What sets Mirandus apart is that everything within the game world is player-driven. From player-owned NFT buildings and crafted items to the citadels owned by players, the world is entirely unknown and uncharted. Players will have to explore, create, map, and fill the world themselves, making it an exciting and unpredictable adventure.

• The game strikes a balance between relaxing farming and crafting mechanics within the citadel walls and high-risk hunts in the untamed wilderness beyond.

• Players will encounter dangerous creatures like goblins and wolves, presenting a constant threat and a need for vigilance.

• Mirandus encourages strategic decision-making, allowing players to develop their playstyles and explore the vast possibilities of the game world.

A Unique Approach

• Mirandus stands out with its unique approach to non-playable characters (NPCs). The game forgoes traditional NPCs and relies on monsters and animals as adversaries and valuable resource sources.

• The absence of NPCs presents a challenge in creating a fully immersive world, and the game's success relies on attracting and retaining a significant player base.

Gameplay

• Mirandus provides complete freedom of choice, offering a sandbox-like experience with no predefined maps or quest givers.

• Players can venture into the wilderness alone, facing formidable monsters in deep forests and dungeons.

• Alternatively, they can align themselves with realm monarchs and serve as knights in their courts.

• Players also have the option to establish a presence in one of the five majestic citadels, where they can develop their skills as warriors, crafters, and explorers.

• Players must hunt and defeat these creatures to survive and obtain essential items for crafting.

Integration of NFTs and Web3 Elements

• Mirandus embraces Web3 and cryptocurrency elements, integrating numerous NFTs into its gameplay.

• NFT integration adds an extra layer of ownership and value to in-game items, allowing for customization and trade opportunities.

Mirandus has the potential to appeal to a diverse player base, attracting traditional MMORPG enthusiasts as well as fans of games like Minecraft and Animal Crossing. The game's emphasis on strategy, exploration, and personalization ensures that players will have endless possibilities for adventure and growth within the world of Mirandus.

As development progresses and the game evolves, it will be interesting to see how Mirandus shapes up as a standout MMORPG within the Web3 landscape.

7. Last Expedition (In Development)

Last Expedition, initially developed by Certain Affinity and led by Max Hoberman, a veteran of the acclaimed game Halo 2, is poised to redefine the world of AAA first-person shooters (FPS) through its groundbreaking integration of blockchain tech and player ownership. The game promises to deliver a world-class gaming experience while embracing the play-to-own concept.

Interestingly, Gala Games now internally develops Last Expedition. The project initially involved Certain Affinity, but they later dropped it, and Gala Games now owns the IP. Now, Gala Games handles the game's development entirely, and it employs most of the team that was previously working on it. Besides, Max Hoberman is not currently involved in the project and has no affiliation with Gala Games.

Immersive Gameplay and True Asset Ownership

• Players embark on a mission in the hostile alien world of Aura to recover valuable alien artifacts, facing treacherous terrain, intense battles against human adversaries and computer-controlled enemies, and constant threats.

• The game adopts a PvPvE setup, blending player-versus-player and player-versus-environment elements to create a dynamic and challenging gameplay experience.

• Last Expedition introduces true asset ownership, allowing players to own characters, weapons, and items, providing strategic advantages and the ability to accumulate resources and rewards.

Last Expedition Operator's Node

• One exciting opportunity within the Gala Games ecosystem is the Last Expedition Operator's Node.

• Gamers can own and operate a part of Last Expedition, gaining early access to the game and running a custom server workload for themselves and their friends.

• Owners of the Operator's Node receive exclusive rewards, including the NFTs like Ancient Primal Porcupine OP Mod NFT and Early Access Tokens for future playtests.

Limited Edition Bundle Sales

• The Last Expedition has sold the Operator's licenses in limited edition bundles, each offering unique rewards and benefits.

• Bundle sales include the Ancient Primal Ravager Bundle, Ancient Primal Bone Snapper Bundle, Ancient Primal Porcupine Bundle, and the recently revealed Uncommon Forest Snapper Bundle.

• Gala Games offers a Last Expedition Subscription to every purchaser of a Last Expedition Node.

• Subscribers receive NFT drops with each future node sale, ensuring that early adopters continue to receive valuable rewards as the ecosystem grows.

Stunning Graphics

• Last Expedition incorporates captivating features, including visually striking characters and meticulously designed weapons, enhancing depth and realism.

• The stunning graphics also reflect the expertise of Certain Affinity, known for their work on the acclaimed Halo series.

• However, enjoying the game's high graphical fidelity may require a robust gaming machine.

Playtest

• Last Expedition recently conducted an exclusive playtest for Node owners, offering a preview of the game's PvPvE gameplay.

• The playtest showcased diverse terrains, challenging enemies and emphasized resource extraction's importance for mission advancement.

Despite still being in the development phase, Last Expedition has already garnered significant attention and anticipation among gamers. With its impressive graphics and promising gameplay showcased in previews, it has the potential to be one of the standout Web3 games in the market.

8. Eternal Paradox (In Development)

Eternal Paradox, developed by NDREAM, is a highly anticipated mobile-first game that seamlessly combines the fundamentals of the 4X genre (Explore, Exploit, Expand, and Exterminate) with engaging RPG-style turn-based combat.

Set in a vast and diverse world, the game offers players an immersive experience filled with enticement, strategic decision-making, and intense battles.

Setting

• The game universe is a vast one where a mysterious event at a large crater has ensnared everything on the continent.

• The fate of the land depends on the balance of the Rings of Ruin.

• According to prophecy, the continent will face destruction when the Rings cease to revolve.

• This intriguing premise sets the stage for an epic journey of exploration, conquest, and survival.

NDREAM, the Korean game studio behind successful titles such as Oceans & Empires, Pirates of the Caribbean, The War of Genesis, and Crossfire Warzone, promises to create a captivating universe filled with enticing gameplay mechanics and intense RPG combat.

Key Gameplay Features

• Exploration is a pivotal aspect, urging players to delve into the intricacies of the world, uncover hidden treasures, and overcome unique challenges.

• Collectible NFTs, including Heroes, and Lands, enrich the gameplay experience by providing growth, personalization, and strategic decision-making options.

• The epic RPG turn-based combat features NFT Mercenaries, empowering players to team up with allies, conquer foes, and level up while progressing toward the mysterious Rings of Ruin.

Land Ownership

• Land ownership plays a central role as players compete to control territories and enhance wealth and influence.

• Owning virtual land allows players to set bonuses for tenants, attracting other players to become residents and fostering mutually beneficial relationships.

• As resources flow from tenants to landowners, wealth accumulates, enabling further land improvements and attracting additional players.

• NFT Land ownership adds a competitive edge, allowing players to strategize and gain advantages over rivals.

A Mobile-first Adventure

• Eternal Paradox is designed for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, offering accessibility and convenience for players on the go.

• NDREAM and Gala Games have created a rich and captivating world, immersing players in an unforgettable mobile gaming experience.

Although still in development, Eternal Paradox showcases immense potential, blending the best elements of 4X and RPG genres. Its expansive world, strategic gameplay, and unique NFT Land feature offer a fresh and exciting experience for both casual and hardcore gamers.

If you have a passion for either 4X or RPG games, Eternal Paradox is undoubtedly a title worth anticipating and exploring upon its release.

An Ambitious Roadmap for 2023 and Beyond!

In 2023, Gala Games made significant strides, with a renewed focus on expanding its presence in the Web3 entertainment industry. They released a presentation outlining their primary goals and philosophies for the year, signaling their commitment to growth and innovation.

With over 12 games scheduled for launch and 40 titles in development, Gala Games is making significant strides in expanding its portfolio. These games span 22 genres, including popular categories like 4X, MMORPG, Action RPG, Battle Royale, and more. Notably, 20+ games are cross-platform or mobile titles, catering to a wide range of players. We can expect more game launches soon!

Gala Games will support more independent studios, committing over $300 million to game projects, with 50% already deployed. They have cultivated partnerships with renowned studios such as Arctic 7, Fun Dog Studios, Gamedia, HitFactor, IUGO, Joy City, Revolving Games, Shiver Entertainment, and Team Grit.

Additionally, Gala Games will deepen their collaboration with notable intellectual property (IP) holders like NBC/Universal, Skybound, PokerGo, and AMC, further enriching their game offerings.

Four Strategic Pillars

Gala Games has identified four strategic pillars for its 2023 roadmap.

1. First, the platform aims to share updates openly, providing greater visibility and communication about its game releases and improvements.

2. Second, Gala Games is determined to conquer the mobile gaming market, as demonstrated by its acquisition of Ember Entertainment and their focus on attracting billions of people who play mobile games.

3. The third pillar focuses on protecting utility. Gala Games has strategically decided to use the $GALA token as the primary currency across its games, except for Mirandus, which will continue to utilize Materium ($MTRM) for specific in-game mechanics.

4. The fourth pillar emphasizes Gala Games' visibility, as it allocates funds for user acquisition (UA) to drive the growth of its player base. Already, Gala Games has committed $1 million for Spider Tanks to increase the number of daily active users (DAU).

Expansion of VoxVerse

In addition to their strategic pillars, Gala Games highlighted the upcoming expansion of VoxVerse, its metaverse project. Collaborating with game designer Will Wright, the creator of The Sims, Gala Games is actively developing VoxVerse to provide users with a unique and immersive experience.

GalaChain

At present, the Gala brand's primary focus revolves around the development of their proprietary L1, GalaChain. This blockchain was previously known as Project GYRI. GalaChain underwent a successful stress test in May 2022 and has demonstrated efficiency in handling micro-transactions at scale while reducing costs and energy consumption.

The Gala brand has an exciting lineup of developments in store for its blockchain ecosystem. They will introduce a blockchain explorer and seamlessly integrate popular games like Town Star, Champions Arena, and Meow Match with the GalaChain this year.

Furthermore, the Gala brand plans to expand the platform by adding game integrations such as The Walking Dead Empires, PokerGo, and Freestyle Football. To enhance the player experience, the Gala brand will introduce a Bug Bounty Program, developer interface, and SDK. Additionally, the platform will launch a peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace, enabling players to easily trade and exchange items.

Other Launches

The Gala Platform has other exciting plans for 2023.

1. The platform will introduce Social Login, starting with popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Discord, to make Web3 entertainment more accessible.

2. Through the Event Reward Listener, Gala Games will reward users for actions that support the ecosystem.

3. Gala Friends will enable users to create friends lists, invite friends to play games and connect with other social networks for easy sharing.

4. Lastly, the brand plans to introduce a self-service publishing platform that empowers content creators and distributors, allowing them to deploy their own NFTs and potentially their node network, utilizing $GALA as gas. This initiative transforms GalaChain into a semi-public blockchain with permissioned and enterprise-grade features.

These ambitious plans solidify Gala Games' position as a major player in the Web3 entertainment industry. Surely 2023 will be a pivotal year for the Gala brand!

Conclusion

Gala Games has firmly established itself as a prominent player in the blockchain industry, showcasing tangible use cases and ambitious aspirations. With a growing roster of high-quality games, and a thriving community, the platform instills confidence in enthusiasts seeking to venture into this groundbreaking space.

While the realization of Gala Games' vision for the play-to-own future remains to be seen, its substantial investments across various industries without compromising quality position it favorably.

Additionally, Gala Games' expansion into the realms of music and film, as well as the strategic acquisition of Ember Entertainment, further solidifies its position within the Web3 ecosystem.

For those captivated by the prospects of Web3, decentralized gaming, and active engagement in shaping the future of the internet, Gala Games demands attention. Overlooking their progress could mean missing out on something truly extraordinary.

Whether you are a passionate gamer, a visionary game developer, or simply intrigued by the trajectory of technology, keeping a close watch on Gala Games is paramount. They have the potential to emerge as the next disruptive force in the gaming industry, rivaling industry giants like Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, or Tencent.