Off The Grid introduces blockchain gaming to mainstream audiences

Off The Grid, a new free-to-play battle royale game developed by Gunzilla Games, has quickly gained traction, ranking as the top free-to-play game on the Epic Games store.

During its early-access release on October 11, the game attracted over 154,000 viewers on Twitch.

Built on the Avalanche subnet called GUNZ, Off The Grid incorporates blockchain technology, allowing players to mint in-game items like weapons and skins as NFTs.

These assets provide players with ownership rights, enabling them to trade items in secondary markets, enhancing the in-game economy.

The game's use of blockchain is focused on player utility rather than speculative rewards, aiming to enhance the overall gameplay experience.

Unlike many blockchain games, which have been criticised for unsustainable token-based reward systems, Off The Grid seeks to attract long-term players by offering engaging gameplay first, with blockchain technology playing a supportive role in the economy.

This strategy addresses concerns about player drop-offs often seen in games that prioritise rewards over playability.

A recent survey by Elympics, the Blockchain Game Alliance, and PlayToEarn revealed that over 10% of respondents have yet to try blockchain games, citing the complexity of connecting crypto wallets as a major barrier.

Despite these challenges, Off The Grid may signal a new approach to blockchain gaming, where the focus is on creating compelling gameplay while integrating blockchain features that improve the player experience.