Blockchain game Illuvium is going mainstream with the upcoming Epic Games Store listing

Blockchain-based game Illuvium is set to offer an audience of millions of PC and mobile gamers on the Epic Games Store, which houses massively popular titles like Fortnite.

Illuvium, an interactive blockchain game developed by Illuvium Labs, will appear on Epic's store from November 28th, after several months of background work to meet the requirements.

Speaking exclusively to Cointelegraph ahead of Epic's launch, Eluvium founder Kieran Warwick outlines the game's evolution to accommodate a mainstream audience and comply with the platform's legal and compatibility requirements.

“The result of these efforts not only allowed Illuvium to gain a place on the mainstream gaming platform, but also improved our product.”

The game was developed using Unreal Engine 5 on the Immutable X network. The beta launch on Epic Games features three different game genres set in the Elvium universe.

It includes Overworld, an open-world exploration game and “creature capture reminiscent of beloved classics”, an auto-combat strategy game called Arena and Zero, and a mobile and desktop city builder with links to other titles. Warwick says his approach to building different genres and game modes aims to appeal to a wider audience of gamers.

“By launching three different games in three different genres, we've increased the reach of the market. The only issue is that it took a long time to get to this point,” added Warwick.

As blockchain games featuring near-fungible token (NFT) elements struggle to break into the mainstream, Warwick's team adapted its approach to get more users on board. He cites the barrier to entry for non-Web 3 native players as a key reason for the slow adoption of blockchain games.

“One of the most frustrating things about NFT games is the notion that you need a wallet and a lot of money to try the game. We've removed the need for a wallet, and it's free to play. We think that's the only way to get mainstream adoption.”

As Cointelegraph recently reported, Web3 venture capital firms such as Animoka Brands highlighted the reluctance of major game publishers to list games that incorporate Web3 infrastructure.

Animoka Brands CEO Robbie Yeung previously noted that major players were unsure about the nature of the implications of Web3 integration, fearing it would overtake existing business models based on distribution fees.

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Warwick echoes this sentiment; This mindset is influenced by several factors. One factor is the integrity of game design, with some critics suggesting that including NFT exposes winning mechanics or negatively impacts game design by prioritizing monetization over player experience.

Regulatory concerns are another concern, with Warwick highlighting that blockchain technology and NFTs remain “in a gray area in many jurisdictions.”

“Games with NFT functionality can run into trouble with regulators that could affect their viability and legality.”

The volatility of crypto markets and NFTs is another obstacle that concerns major issuers as well as the spread of fraud.

Nevertheless, Illuvium's upcoming list bodes well for the broader blockchain gaming industry. Warwick described it as a milestone as some of the most popular major games in recent years headlined the same stage.

“This is a big step. People have been saying for years that Web3 Gaming is the next big thing in the crypto space, Warwick said.

Web3 Game Investors has taken a more measured approach to supporting early stage studios building blockchain games over the past year. This necessitated the impact of a prolonged cryptocurrency bear market, which called for extreme caution from industry venture capitalists.

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