NetEase, the developer behind the multiplayer action game NARAKA, has entered into a strategic partnership with the web3 card game Cards Ahoy. This collaboration grants Cards Ahoy the rights to use the iconic character Ning Hongye from NARAKA, integrating it into its Mythic card assets.

This move aims to expand the influence of the Cards Ahoy game among its millions of players worldwide. NARAKA, developed by NetEase's 24 Entertainment Studio, is a multiplayer action game with over 40 million copies sold globally, placing it among the top 200 best-selling games in history.

More about Cards Ahoy?

Cards Ahoy positions itself as the next-generation card game, drawing comparisons to Clash Royale but with a web3 twist. Its simple yet engaging gameplay, coupled with a well-designed economic system and unique meme integration, sets it apart from what is currently offered in crypto gaming.

The game incorporates popular memes from the web3 community, offering recognizable characters and light-competitive gameplay reminiscent of classic TCG card battles. With quick 60-second matches, the game appeals to a broad user base and has significant potential for viral spread.

Team and In-Game Economy

Led by Metalist Game, the team behind Cards Ahoy comprises members from major gaming companies such as NetEase, Ubisoft, Blizzard, and Riot Games, positioning it at the forefront of web3 gaming. The team's experience and partnerships with entities like NetEase's NARAKA demonstrate its credibility and potential.

Cards Ahoy not only provides an entertaining gaming experience but also integrates blockchain and web3 gaming elements, offering players a unique in-game economy. The game's economic model emphasizes asset circulation and player ownership, contributing to higher retention rates and increased player engagement.

Successful Beta Testing

During a ten-day closed beta test in November 2023, Cards Ahoy attracted over 1.2 million pre-registrations and nearly 25,000 participants. The total time spent in the game amounted to nearly 180,000 hours, with a ten-day retention rate of 47.18%. Notably, the highest transaction price for a single card NFT in the trading market reached 600 USDT.

The third closed beta test, which began on January 15th with a limited invitation to 4,500 players, saw over ten thousand players in the queue, garnering praise from players and recognition from prominent figures in the gaming community, including Hearthstone champion Youyong'ai (YouLove) and other professionals.

Prominence in Asian Markets

Cards Ahoy witnessed fierce competition among top guilds in Korea and Japan during the beta phase, boasting a remarkable ten-day retention rate of 90.13% and garnering significant attention within the Asian gaming community.  As a native project on the opBNB chain, Cards Ahoy was selected as part of the BNB Star and Opbnb Odyess tasks, distinguishing itself in the web3 gaming sector and building anticipation for its public beta performance.

The game has already generated substantial interest on social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Discord, with numerous live streams, tutorial videos, and a frenzy surrounding game activation codes. Positive feedback from players across various platforms further underscores the game's potential.

Renowned Hearthstone champion Youyong'ai (YouLove) praised Cards Ahoy on Twitter, while players from Japanese and Korean gaming guilds also expressed admiration. Participants on the whitelist have the chance to obtain cards valued at 740 USD when opening boxes.

Public Testing and NFTs

The public testing phase for Cards Ahoy is set to commence on March 27th. Currently, the Genesis mining event is live on the Giveaway section of the OKX web3 wallet, offering global players a chance to receive airdrops of 1,000 Mythic box fragments and 55,000,000 $CAC, with an additional 5,000,000 CAC provided specifically for this collaboration.

Final Thoughts

Despite the positive reception during testing, success in the beta phase does not guarantee future outcomes. As Cards Ahoy approaches its public beta, continued optimization and maintenance of strengths will be crucial.

With its innovative design, robust economic model, and strong development team, Cards Ahoy stands poised to become a prominent player in the web3 gaming market, offering joy and novel experiences to gamers worldwide.