Iceland-based CCP Games has recently secured $40 million in a seed round led by a16z, with participation from Makers Fund, Bitkraft, Kingsway Capital, Hashed, and Nexon, to develop a new blockchain-based game set in the Eve Universe. According to a press release, the new AAA title will use smart-contract technology, but its production will be separate from any of CCP’s existing projects, including the original Eve Online.
One of the investors in the seed round, a16z, highlighted the relevance of the Eve Universe to the blockchain industry, stating that “Years before the first blockchain was created, the sci-fi space MMO EVE Online proved out many of the core principles that define web3 today.”
Eve Online is a virtual world where players interact in a digital economy and build their corporations. The game has been lauded for its complex player-driven economy, where virtual assets are bought and sold for real-world money, and where players can make their own rules and engage in political and economic maneuvers.
CCP Games CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson believes that blockchain technology can further enhance the player agency and autonomy that Eve Online is known for, stating that “Since its inception, CCP Games’ vision has been to create virtual worlds more meaningful than real life. Now, with advancements made within the blockchain, we can forge a new universe deeply imbued with our expertise in player agency and autonomy, empowering players to engage in new ways.”
The use of blockchain technology in gaming has been gaining traction in recent years, with developers exploring the use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to create unique and valuable in-game assets, and the use of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to give players more control over the games they play.
The success of blockchain-based games like Axie Infinity, which has seen explosive growth in its user base and token value, has shown that there is a demand for games that use blockchain technology to create new and innovative gameplay experiences.
With the backing of top-tier investors and the expertise of its experienced development team, CCP Games is poised to create a groundbreaking blockchain-based game that builds on the legacy of Eve Online and takes the gaming industry to new heights.
As a16z started in its blog post, “We are thrilled to partner with CCP on this journey and believe the intersection of gaming and blockchain will create new opportunities for gamers, developers, and investors alike.”
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