In a significant shift in strategy, Uprising Labs has announced its decision to move away from building a gaming layer 2 (L2) blockchain. Initially, Uprising Labs had planned to create an L2 network on the Japanese gaming-centric protocol Oasys. This blockchain, known as Uprising L2, was intended to support native yield rewards from a range of blockchains, including Solana, Ethereum, and Oasys itself. However, the studio now aims to establish itself as a publisher of web3 games designed for PC and console audiences.

Uprising Labs Logo and Key Art

Focus on High-Quality Web3 Games 

This pivot marks a departure from its earlier plans to launch a yield-generating blockchain ecosystem and indicates a renewed emphasis on game quality. According to a company statement, Uprising Labs believes the current web3 ecosystem needs more high-quality games rather than additional blockchain networks. The company stated, “We believe that web3 doesn’t need more blockchains right now – it needs more great games.”

Uprising Labs’ decision aligns with a larger trend among web3 gaming studios seeking to bring more immersive, high-quality games to traditional gaming platforms like PC and console. This shift to platforms typically preferred by core gamers—who generally seek more immersive and sophisticated gameplay experiences—suggests that Uprising Labs is targeting the mid-core and hardcore gaming audience.

Following the recent release of Gunzilla Games’ Off The Grid on PlayStation 5 and Xbox earlier this month, Uprising’s pivot appears to be part of a broader movement by web3 developers to appeal to established gaming communities on these platforms.

Uprising Gaming Blockchain

NFT Integration and Maelstrom Update

Uprising Labs first gained attention in the web3 gaming space through its genesis NFT collection, consisting of 1,111 minted NFTs. This collection was promoted with the promise of long-term utility and exclusive rewards, creating initial momentum for the company’s brand. However, specific details on future utility for these NFTs remain undisclosed following the recent strategic shift.

The studio is also integrating web3 elements into Maelstrom, a tactical naval warfare game that has been available on Steam since 2019. This update aims to add web3 features to the title, although precise details regarding how these features will be implemented are yet to be revealed. This move to integrate web3 functionality into an established game like Maelstrom could potentially bridge traditional gaming with web3 elements, helping to engage a broader player base.

Uprising Labs Team

Evolving Landscape for Web3 Gaming

Uprising Labs’ pivot reflects an evolving web3 gaming industry, where studios are increasingly prioritizing game quality and depth to appeal to a wider audience. By focusing on delivering well-designed games for PC and console, Uprising Labs is aligning with trends that seek to blend blockchain technology with familiar gaming platforms. As the company progresses, the future impact of its genesis NFTs, along with potential new titles developed under its revised strategy, will be key to determining its standing in the competitive web3 gaming landscape.

Source: blockchaingamer.biz