Ubisoft Announces Captain Laserhawk: the GAME with Blockchain and NFT Elements
Ubisoft has quietly revealed Captain Laserhawk: the GAME, a new title inspired by the animated series Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix. This series, itself a spin-off from the Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon universe, brings together characters from several iconic Ubisoft franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Rayman, and Beyond Good & Evil. However, the announcement has stirred controversy among players due to the game’s integration of blockchain technologies and NFTs.
Captain Laserhawk: the GAME is a top-down competitive multiplayer shooter that marks a significant departure from the traditional titles associated with these franchises. Rayman, for instance, appears in the game as a darker, more cynical version of himself—a stark contrast to the cheerful character fans have known for years. This game will feature various Ubisoft characters in a dystopian world, offering a new twist on familiar faces.
The game is being developed as a Web3 title, utilizing blockchain technologies provided by Sequence, with Arbitrum as its Ethereum scaling platform. This move aligns with Ubisoft’s ongoing exploration of blockchain in gaming, as seen in their recent project, Champion Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles, another game that features NFT integration.
🚨 G.A.M.E. on!
We’re excited to announce our latest partnership with Ubisoft and @arbitrum to launch a new gaming experience to expand the universe of Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix series — produced by Ubisoft for Netflix.
Introducing Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E… pic.twitter.com/gpXdV918XI
— Sequence (@0xsequence) August 6, 2024
Despite Ubisoft’s enthusiasm, the decision to include NFTs and blockchain has met with skepticism and concern from the gaming community. Many players are wary of this technology, fearing it could detract from the traditional gaming experience they value. Ubisoft’s insistence on blockchain technology comes at a time when many gamers are still hesitant about its implications, especially in light of previous NFT-related controversies in the industry.
Captain Laserhawk: the GAME will offer a unique gameplay experience where the community can influence the narrative through a system of governance. Set in the dystopian world of Eden—a totalitarian state that succeeded the United States—players will navigate this universe as citizens, taking on challenges in and out of the game to enhance their power and shape the story.
The gameplay centers around a top-down online multiplayer shooter format. Players will assume the role of citizens in Eden, aiming to improve their citizen score and increase their influence over the game’s unfolding narrative. This concept, which allows the community to make key decisions in the story, bears resemblance to the interactive series Silent Hill: Ascension, which received mixed reviews.
Eligibility to participate in the game’s Early Access phase will be tied to the possession of a Citizen ID card. Initially, only 10,000 players will be able to obtain these cards, which serve as both an access pass and a tool for tracking progress, achievements, and ranking. The Citizen ID card also grants players the ability to vote on crucial narrative decisions, making it a core component of the game’s design.
The beta version of Captain Laserhawk: the GAME is expected to be available by the end of August, and registration for Early Access will soon open. This limited access will likely contribute to the game’s community-driven narrative, as only a select group of players will initially influence the direction of the story.
While Captain Laserhawk: the GAME promises to bring together beloved characters and offer a fresh narrative experience, its reliance on blockchain and NFTs could prove to be a polarizing choice. As Ubisoft continues to explore the intersection of gaming and blockchain technology, the success of this project may well depend on the reception from both the gaming community and the broader market.