Roguelite RPG Chooses Somnia Blockchain

Variance, the anime roguelite RPG developed by Realm Studios, has officially become part of the Somnia ecosystem. The announcement comes as the game prepares for its first open playtest in July. The integration signals a key step forward for Variance as it aims to reach a wider audience and introduce new features to players across platforms.

Roguelite RPG Chooses Somnia Blockchain

Roguelite RPG Chooses Somnia Blockchain

Variance is an anime roguelite roleplaying game (RPG) featuring fast-paced gameplay and a rich story. Players control “Variants”—characters with unique skills and abilities—as they progress through procedurally generated levels. The game emphasizes mastery of combos and reflex-dependent combat. Importantly, there are no pay-to-win mechanics; progression is tied to a player’s ability and effort.

Developed by veterans from companies such as Pokémon GO, Axie Infinity, and Realm, Variance combines strong game design with a community-centric approach. The game includes blockchain elements, like collectible drops and tokens, but its main appeal lies in its challenging gameplay and rich narrative.

Roguelite RPG Chooses Somnia Blockchain

The Variance team said they chose Somnia due to its ability to handle large-scale gaming applications while keeping transactions fast and low-cost. Somnia is a new EVM-compatible Layer 1 network designed for real-time, high-volume applications such as games and social platforms. It can process over a million transactions per second with low fees, making it a scalable base for growing a game ecosystem.

The decision was made after the team spoke directly with Somnia founder Paul Thomas and recognized a shared understanding of the future of web3 gaming. “After speaking with Paul Thomas, founder of Somnia, about his vision for Somnia, we knew it would be a great home for us to build out our vision for Variance,” the team explained in a Discord update. “Paul and his team have a history of delivering high quality gaming products. Somnia not only understands the nuances of game development but also know how to integrate blockchain technology in a way that benefits both players and developers.”

Roguelite RPG Chooses Somnia Blockchain

Uprising Labs and Dream Catalyst 

Uprising Labs and its Dream Catalyst accelerator supported the collaboration, helping Variance align its growth strategy with Somnia’s ecosystem and reach. Shortly after the announcement, Variance’s following on X jumped from 14,000 to 24,000, reflecting strong community interest in the move. As of today, the game has over 140,000 X followers. With Variance now part of Somnia, the team plans to introduce a range of new features.

A mobile version of the game is currently in development, allowing players to experience the game on smartphones and tablets. The team is also adding multiplayer functionality and developing console versions to broaden the game’s reach. Additionally, Variance is implementing powerful AI infrastructure to help keep gameplay fresh and dynamic. The technology will aid in scaling the game’s content and retaining players by adding depth and variation to missions, enemies, and rewards.

Roguelite RPG Chooses Somnia Blockchain

Somnia Open Playtest and Quests

To celebrate the collaboration and prepare for the launch, Somnia and Variance are organizing a series of events and promotions. The Somnia quest is currently live until June 14. Players can complete social tasks to earn rewards and move up a leaderboard. The quest is designed to activate the community and celebrate the ecosystem’s growth.

During June, Variance is also hosting a range of Game Nights, where players can win chests, in-game items, and Tickets — a key collectible for future events. A Game Night is scheduled for June 13 in Somnia’s Discord, featuring a live hands-on demonstration of the latest build. Another will take place on June 16 in the Variance Discord.

The Somnia Open Playtest is slated for early July. During this first large-scale showcase, players will be able to experience the game’s progress first-hand and earn in-game drops and NFT airdrops. Later in the summer, a special event will leverage Tickets as a core game piece. Players can earn Tickets by participating in contests, buying them from the store, or through special promotions. Additionally, holders of Genesis Portals will receive a free Ticket each.

Roguelite RPG Chooses Somnia Blockchain

Founders Wave Open Playtest and NFTs

The first pre-alpha release of Variance was in April 2024, alongside the team’s announcement of adaptive AI components designed to keep the game challenging and fresh. Subsequently, in January 2025, the team implemented the 3rd Play to Airdrop wave, adding new levels, mystery boxes, and balance tweaks. February 2025 saw the launch of the Founders Wave Open Playtest and the release of the Genesis Void NFTs, which provide ongoing bonuses and airdrops to holders.

The $VOID token is a key component of the game’s ecosystem, adding depth to its in-game transactions and incentives. Now, by joining Somnia, Variance is poised to grow its community and expand its ecosystem. Players can expect more ways to engage with the game, more rewards to earn, and additional content to explore in the future. The collaboration underscores the potential for web3 technology to enable scalable, community-centric gaming worlds. With this move, Variance finds itself alongside titles like Sparkball within the Somnia ecosystem, adding depth and variety to a growing network of interactive experiences.