Here we are again, another web2 and web3 gaming company joining forces to say “told you so” to those who are holding back from making the transition to the blockchain.
This time, we see Ubisoft and Cronos team up to bring a new angle to blockchain gaming in an effort to onboard the masses of gamers around the world.
By now you will have heard of Ubisoft, the gaming powerhouse that has brought us Assassin’s Creed, one of the most recent web2 game series that has become infatuated with Non-Fungible-Tokens (NFTs).
Cronos, while a huge name in the web3 sphere, may have slipped under your radar. Cronos is a blockchain that connects Cosmos and Ethereum. This is thanks to the clever interoperability model made available by the Ethereum network, which allows different blockchain systems to work harmoniously together.
What’s to come from Cronos and Ubisoft?
This collaboration between Ubisoft and Cronos will see Ubisoft become an official validator for the Cronos blockchain. Ubisoft is set to join 27 other validators to bolster their performance and build more blocks on their network.
Validators within crypto ensure that transactions are verified correctly, allowing blocks to be added. This concept goes hand in hand with crypto staking, a convenient method used by blockchains to maintain their services and give back to the users that are actively contributing.
Ubisoft has launched their new “Strategic Innovation Lab,” which is their roadmap for implementing their brand on the blockchain. At a time when brands like Ubisoft are dipping their toes into crypto and web3, they hope to position themselves firmly for when the mass transition begins.
There is a history between Cronos and Ubisoft already, which makes these new headlines almost inevitable. Previously, the pair had teamed up for the Cronos Accelerator program, which entered its second phase at the start of this year.
Ubisoft seems to be ahead of the curve, as it is clear that the majority of leading game developers are showing their dismay for the blockchain.
Ubisoft has a strong presence on the blockchain
We have already mentioned the NFT collectible series in commemoration of Assassin’s Creed, but Ubisoft’s mission to conquer the blockchain does not stop there!
Rayman Raving Rabbids was somewhat revived in the late 2000s and early 2010s to have its very own feature on top blockchain gaming company Animoca Brands, The Sandbox metaverse experience.
The Sandbox has teamed up with hundreds, yes hundreds, of brands to release exclusive NFT collectibles and in-game experiences.
Rabbids also have their own crypto token too?! This was released in 2020, amidst the crypto hype experienced during lockdown. An unusual release that was in further conjunction with UNICEF, the global charity.
It doesn’t stop there, as Ubisoft also has plans for a Minecraft-esque blockchain game. Called ‘HashCraft’, which would utilize NFT technology. Sadly, the game never came into fruition, and development was cut short.
Is Ubisoft really one step ahead?
Ubisoft is seriously putting in work to overcome the competition. Gamers and developers are already making the shift to the blockchain, including esports players from League of Legends and Rocket League.
Ken Timsit, Managing Director of Cronos Labs, also sees the potential in Ubisoft when it comes to crypto gaming. He had this to say:
“I have crossed paths with the Ubisoft team many times over the years in the blockchain ecosystem. They have unparalleled understanding of the potential and the limitations of blockchain technology when it comes to creating deeper engagement between game creators and gamers.”
It seems that Cronos and Ubisoft have a strong partnership ahead of them, with their values aligning.
“Their involvement in the exploration of the technology is reflected in their decision to participate in the open-source Cronos project as a validator. We look forward to leveraging their enthusiasm for blockchain technology and being challenged by their team as we progress on the technical and ecosystem roadmap of the Cronos chain”.
Be on the lookout for more crypto games on the Cronos blockchain; a total of 13 are set to be released!