Gunzilla Raises $30M to Develop "Off the Grid" Game Ahead of Launch on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
Gunzilla has raised $30 million to prepare for the launch of their highly anticipated NFT game, "Off the Grid," slated to release on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Gunzilla Raises $30M to Develop "Off the Grid"
After raising $46 million in August 2023 to develop a blockchain game, Gunzilla Games announced in March 2024 that it secured an additional $30 million to prepare for the launch of their blockbuster NFT game.
Off the Grid: A Blockchain-Based Battle Royale Game
Co-created by filmmaker Neill Blomkamp ("District 9"), "Off the Grid" is a cyberpunk-style battle royale shooter game based on the Avalanche blockchain, set to be released soon.
In March 2024, Gunzilla Games successfully raised $30 million in funding to support the development and release of their cyberpunk-style battle royale shooter game.
The funding round was co-led by CoinFund and Avalanche's Blizzard Fund, with participation from Republic Capital and Morningstar Ventures. The total fundraising round includes a $10 million strategic token round, as well as equity and undisclosed validator sales.
The latest funding will be partly used to boost marketing activities around the game's launch and further develop the GUNZ ecosystem. Gunzilla had previously raised $46 million in 2022.
Off the Grid is a battle royale game featuring 150 players and will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. The game will offer blockchain-based ownership rights for unique in-game assets through Avalanche NFTs and operates on its own Avalanche subnetwork named GUNZ, aimed not only at powering its ecosystem but also enabling other game developers to flourish.
Vlad Korolov, CEO and co-founder of Gunzilla, stated: "With the upcoming releases of Off The Grid and GUNZ to the public, we are not only aiming for a new horizon in AAA gaming but also setting a new standard in the blockchain space." "This development is supported by invaluable backing from our funding partners, helping us deliver AAA gaming experiences that exceed gamers' expectations."
It is still unclear how Gunzilla Games will manage NFT asset ownership on console platforms like PlayStation and Xbox, which traditionally have not supported Web3 elements in games.
"At this point, we are not ready to disclose all internal operations and wish to keep specific details about these mechanisms confidential until the game's official release. This decision not only helps us protect our unique 'secret sauce' from competitive pressures but also aligns with our commitment to providing traditional gamers, our primary audience, with top-notch gaming quality."
Off the Grid reflects the creative vision of acclaimed filmmaker Neill Blomkamp, known for "District 9" and "Chappie," who is a co-founder and creative director at Gunzilla. The game will also feature more storytelling avenues than your typical battle royale shooter (such as Fortnite), promising approximately 60 hours of narrative spread across multiple seasons within the game.
The above game introduction, produced in collaboration with renowned online personalities like Clix and Dr. Disrespect, showcases some intricacies in narrative storytelling, not to mention how the story can transition between gameplay sessions in matches with up to 150 players.
"No two missions are alike, thanks to the real-time impact of up to 150 players sharing the same space. This variability ensures that every mission, every encounter, and every decision can significantly alter the narrative flow, making each game session a unique experience."
"This design philosophy combines tense action with multi-layered storytelling, ensuring player engagement," the studio added, "without compromising on the thrilling, fast-paced nature characteristic of the battle royale genre."
Previous Fundraising Success of Gunzilla
In 2023, Gunzilla successfully raised $46 million to discuss the future of blockchain gaming, bringing their total raised capital to $76 million, a record-breaking figure in the NFT gaming market to date, with Proof of Play from Pirate Nation having raised $33 million previously.
