Australian web3 game studio Virtually Human has announced that it will discontinue its horse racing game, Zed Run, after six years. The decision follows ongoing challenges within the community and declining asset prices. The game is set to shut down on February 28th, marking the end of a chapter for its player base.

Introducing Zed Champions

Although Zed Run is shutting down, Virtually Human has positioned this as a transition rather than a complete end. The company is preparing to launch a new project, Zed Champions, which will introduce a different approach to web3 gaming. Players will have a month following Zed Run’s closure to claim, buy, or trade their reward badges. These badges will carry over to Zed Champions, where they will provide eligibility for obtaining new horses. However, the horse NFTs from Zed Run will not transfer to the new game, meaning players will have to start fresh in terms of assets.

Web3 Game Zed Run Shuts Down to Launch Zed Champions

Final Zed Run Event with 100K Prize Pool

To mark the game’s conclusion and encourage engagement before the shutdown, Zed Run is hosting a sunset event. The event consists of week-long seasons where players can multiply their XP, climb the ranks, and earn engagement points. It will culminate in the three-day Sunset Stakes event, featuring a $100,000 ZED token prize pool. This final competition will take place from February 26th to 28th, offering players a last chance to participate before the game is officially closed.

The decision to discontinue Zed Run has received mixed reactions from the community. Many NFT holders and long-time players have expressed their frustration on social media, with some labeling the move as a “scam” and a “rug.” The frustration largely stems from the loss of assets, as horse NFTs will not carry over to Zed Champions. Despite the backlash, Virtually Human remains optimistic about the future, stating, “This is just the beginning … We promise, 2025 is gonna be one helluva year for ZED.”

Source: BlockchainGamer