In a noteworthy development for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) gaming industry, Farcana, a prominent UAE-based gaming studio, has secured $10 million in seed funding from notable investors, including Animoca Brands, Polygon Ventures, and Fenbushi Capital. The funding will play a crucial role in advancing the development of Farcana, a third-person multiplayer shooter that incorporates non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrency payouts. This funding marks a significant step forward for Farcana in its endeavor to establish itself as a leading gaming entity in the region and solidify its presence in the emerging web3 gaming sector. 

Farcana has been gaining significant attention from web3 enthusiasts for its innovative gaming approach. The studio's flagship project, a team arena third-person shooter developed with Unreal Engine 5, stands out for its distinctive features. Beyond conventional gameplay, Farcana introduces a unique concept with "Free Mint" Bitcoin ordinals, backed by permanent Bitcoin prize pools. Already attracting over 40,000 users, Farcana has become a focal point in the regional gaming community. The funding, from leading investors like Animoca Brands, comes at a pivotal moment for Farcana.

The capital injection will go towards enhancing Farcana's gaming experience and seamlessly integrating it into the Bitcoin ecosystem. This strategic move aligns with Farcana's roadmap for a token launch and the full game release scheduled for early next year. Fenbushi Capital Investment Director Clarence Zhou expressed confidence in Farcana, stating; “We believe Farcana has the potential to be the next iconic blockchain game and continuously bring new users to web3.” Animoca Brands co-founder and chairman Yat Siu replied: “We’ve been impressed with the development and traction Farcana has received.”

Taking cues from successful titles like Blizzard’s Overwatch and Riot Games’ Valorant, Farcana introduces smaller, walled maps and game modes to deliver a distinct gaming experience. Set in a near-future world where humanity has migrated to Mars and discovered a superpower-granting substance called Axelar, Farcana unfolds as an ongoing tournament where players with Axelar-induced powers compete for glory. The Farcana team, with advisory support from G2 Esports founder Carlos “Ocelote” Rodriguez, operates from the MENA region. They collaborated with Dubai’s Economy and Tourism department for a Farcana pre-alpha game playtest at the Dubai Esports Festival in June 2023. 

Animoca Brands co-founder and chairman, Yat Siu, highlighted the strategic significance of their investment, stating: “Our investment into Farcana is part of Animoca Brands' vision to drive web3 development in MENA.” With the Middle East and North Africa region rapidly adopting emerging technologies like web3, Animoca Brands aims to support Farcana as a pioneering force in the sector. This partnership further underscores Animoca Brands' commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the MENA region, following its recent strategic collaboration with Saudi Arabia's NEOM.

Farcana's innovation extends to its gameplay and blockchain integration, including a tournament feature that rewards the top 10% of players with Bitcoin. Operating under a free-to-play model, Farcana plans to introduce optional features such as a battle pass, NFTs, and crafting. All in-game items, from character and weapon skins to pets, graffiti, voicelines, and charms, will exist as NFTs, with transactions conducted using the FAR token, as detailed in the game’s deck. Farcana's commitment to blockchain integration is further highlighted by its upcoming free mint for "Mars Enigma Vault" NFTs on the Ethereum scaling network Polygon, scheduled for December 19th. As Farcana positions itself at the forefront of the evolving landscape of gaming, players eagerly anticipate the beta launch and the potential transformation it may bring to the world of web3.