Reaper Actual Raises Over $30 Million

John Smedley’s new studio (Distinct Possibility Studios) has announced its first title, Reaper Actual. The game is a large-scale open-world extraction shooter that incorporates persistent gameplay elements, faction warfare, and optional web3 features. Set on the fictional Mediterranean island of Marova, Reaper Actual places players in a constantly evolving battlefield where missions, raids, and territorial defense play a central role.

Reaper Actual Raises Over $30 Million

A Return to Large-Scale Multiplayer Design

John Smedley, known for his work on games such as EverQuest, Planetside, and H1Z1, founded Distinct Possibility Studios in early 2023 after departing from Amazon Game Studios. He brings decades of experience in online and multiplayer game development. Alongside co-founders Matt Higby, Trammell Isaac, Michael Hunley, and Tammy McDonald, the team has spent two years developing Reaper Actual with the goal of offering a new take on the extraction shooter genre.

According to Smedley, Reaper Actual is best described as a combination of Call of Duty: DMZ and Rainbow Six Siege, placed within a persistent open world. Unlike traditional extraction shooters, where players enter and exit isolated matches, Reaper Actual allows for continuous progression and long-term impact within its environment. Smedley emphasized that the studio aims to create a dynamic world where every battle has consequences.

Reaper Actual Raises Over $30 Million

Distinct Possibility Studios Raises $30.5 Million

Distinct Possibility Studios recently announced they raised $30.5 million in funding, led by Bitkraft Ventures. Additional investors include Brevan Howard Digital, the Tezos Foundation, Hashed, Delphi Ventures, Shima Capital, North Island Ventures, and Decasonic. Co-development support has been provided by Big Moxi Games, a game development studio based in Brazil.

Carlos Pereira, general partner at Bitkraft Ventures, commented on the project by stating that Reaper Actual represents the blending of FPS and MMORPG design principles. He expressed confidence in the studio’s vision and the experience of its founding team, many of whom have led past projects at scale.

Reaper Actual Raises Over $30 Million

Game World, Mechanics, and AI

The game is set on Marova, a fictional island in the Mediterranean Sea that has recently experienced civil conflict and is now overrun by criminal and military factions. Players take on the role of elite operatives known as Reapers. Their mission involves completing objectives, engaging in raids, building and defending bases, and surviving hostile conditions created by both players and AI-controlled enemies.

The playable map in Reaper Actual is approximately 16 by 12 kilometers in size, making it roughly four times larger than the Al-Mazrah map from Call of Duty: Warzone. The island features a wide range of environments, a full day and night cycle, and various vehicles that allow traversal by land, air, and sea. Each player begins at a base that serves as a home location for launching missions, storing items, and upgrading equipment. Bases can also be attacked by other players or non-player characters if they generate enough attention, known in-game as the "heat level."

The game supports servers that host around 200 players simultaneously, with large numbers of AI opponents also present. A central artificial intelligence system, referred to as Cerberus, is responsible for generating dynamic events and missions that push players into conflict. For example, one squad may be assigned a mission to eliminate a high-value target while another is tasked with defending that same target.

Reaper Actual Raises Over $30 Million

Persistent World and Progression

One of the core features of Reaper Actual is its persistent world structure. Players maintain long-term progression, including character development, base upgrades, and faction alignment. The presence of five distinct factions on the island introduces additional layers of strategy and decision-making. Players can choose to align with factions, oppose them, or operate independently while navigating shifting alliances and territorial disputes.

Combat is intended to feel responsive and realistic, with the development team drawing inspiration from other popular shooters. Smedley stated that the gunplay was designed to match the standard set by the Call of Duty series. The team also includes several developers from Planetside 2, adding experience in large-scale multiplayer combat systems.

Reaper Actual Raises Over $30 Million

Upcoming Alpha Test and Access 

Reaper Actual will be available on PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. An alpha test is planned for the near future. In addition to the official servers, the game will allow players to rent and customize private servers. This feature is particularly aimed at streamers and communities who want to host their own sessions with tailored rulesets. Server customization includes gameplay modifications, access controls, and monetization options for content creators.

The development team has focused on building a low-latency network structure, giving players a reliable and consistent experience during large-scale engagements. Players will also have the ability to interact and trade with others, contributing to a broader in-game economy.

Optional Web3 Integration

Reaper Actual includes web3 functionality that exists outside of the core game experience. Players can engage in item trading on the Distinct Possibility Studios website using blockchain technology powered by Etherlink, part of the Tezos ecosystem. These transactions are limited to cosmetic items and do not impact gameplay balance. Smedley clarified that the game does not include loot boxes, gambling elements, or pay-to-win mechanics.

Items earned or created in-game can be traded or sold via the studio’s web platform. In the future, players will also be able to create their own cosmetic assets using the same tools available to the development team. These user-generated items can then be traded or sold in the marketplace, offering an additional form of community involvement. All web3 elements are entirely optional and separate from the game’s main progression systems.

Looking Ahead

The release of Reaper Actual marks John Smedley’s return to game development with a new project that aims to redefine the extraction shooter genre. With its combination of persistent online progression, large-scale faction warfare, and optional web3 support, the game targets players interested in long-term engagement and strategic gameplay.