Unio, a web3 gaming platform focused on digital asset ownership and community-driven content, has appointed industry veteran Mark Long as its new CEO. Long, formerly the head of Neon (Shrapnel), brings extensive experience in gaming and blockchain integration. His leadership comes at a crucial time as Unio prepares to launch Vortex: Hoverdrome, a futuristic hoverbike combat game, in October 2025.

About Unio and Unioverse

Unio operates within the Unioverse, a community-owned sci-fi franchise that supports multiple interconnected games and content. The platform enables players to create, own, and trade digital assets such as characters, skins, and maps across various games. By leveraging blockchain technology, Unio aims to provide true digital ownership and seamless asset transferability.

The company is led by a team of experienced developers who have previously worked on major franchises like Grand Theft Auto, Star Wars, and Call of Duty. With Long at the helm, Unio says it is set to accelerate its development and reach broader audiences.

Mark Long’s Transition to Unio

Long’s move to Unio follows his departure from Shrapnel after a dispute with investors. According to Long, the disagreement arose from financial management issues, which led to a settlement and his exit. Long was introduced to Unio through Wyatt Ridgeway, a longtime collaborator and former CTO at his first game company, Zombie. Ridgeway, who founded Unio, invited Long to lead the company and help bring its games to market.

The Launch of Vortex: Hoverdrome

One of Unio’s upcoming titles, Vortex: Hoverdrome, is a fast-paced, Rocket League-style game featuring hoverbike combat. The game is set to launch on Steam and incorporates user-generated content (UGC), allowing players to modify vehicles, weapons, and characters using built-in editors. Unio’s development team, though relatively small with just 13 members, has made significant progress in building a streamlined UGC experience.

Challenges and Opportunities in web3 Gaming

Long acknowledges that the web3 gaming market has not yet achieved mainstream adoption. He compares its early hype to the initial internet boom, where excitement often outpaced practical application. Currently, web3 gaming has around a million active players, and Long believes success lies in bridging the gap between web2 and web3 audiences.

“For web3 gaming to succeed, developers must offer tangible value to players,” Long stated in an interview with GamesBeat. He emphasized the importance of making blockchain gaming more accessible, noting that Unio has simplified onboarding to reduce friction in player adoption.

The regulatory environment for blockchain gaming in the U.S. is shifting, particularly under the administration of Donald Trump. With regulatory enforcement scaling back, blockchain game developers may face fewer legal hurdles when raising funds and expanding operations.

Despite the uncertain trajectory of web3 gaming, Long remains optimistic. He believes that the next generation of blockchain-based games will reshape the industry’s economics. He also highlights the role of NFTs in game discovery and sustaining in-game economies.

Unio Appoints New CEO Mark Long

Industry Reactions and Criticism

While Unio’s ambitions are clear, not everyone is convinced of its strategy. Game economist Catalin Alexandru expressed skepticism regarding Unio’s approach, drawing parallels to Shrapnel’s challenges. He criticized the tokenomics structure and UGC monetization model, arguing that these factors could hinder Unio’s success. However, Unio’s leadership maintains that its community-driven tools and game development strategy will drive engagement and growth.

Unio is positioning itself as a major player in web3 gaming, focusing on fun, accessible experiences and a strong UGC ecosystem. With Vortex: Hoverdrome set to launch and additional games in development, Unio aims to solidify its place in the evolving gaming landscape. Long’s leadership will be instrumental in navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead as the company seeks to reach a broader audience and establish itself in the competitive gaming market.

Source: GamesBeat