MetalCore Closed Beta 3 introduces NFTs and Web3 integration

Studio369 has announced the launch of the third closed beta (CB3) of its massively multiplayer online game (MMO), MetalCore, starting on June 27.

This beta phase introduces many improvements, including the integration of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Web3 technology into the game.

Dan Nicolaides, MetalCore's Chief Technology Officer and former software engineer at Midway and WB Games, spoke with Cointelegraph about the transition from Web2 to Web3.

We built the game with the intention of attracting Web2 and Web3 players to make it accessible without the need for a wallet.

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NFT in-game implications

Introducing NFTs allows players to own unique in-game items that can be traded, creating a player-driven economy.

Nicolaides talked about incorporating the “blueprints” necessary for players to develop and grow in the game.

“The exploration system is designed so you have to play the game to find rare combinations of vehicles and mechs and then scan them for blueprints.”

This latest beta phase introduces SHARDS, an off-chain currency that allows users to buy digital bundles with fiat currencies. Nicolaides said:

“We're trying to strike the right balance between people who like to play a lot and people who want to spend money going forward.”

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Web3 integration for Web2 users

CB3 integrates Web3 technology to improve in-game features without requiring players to have a digital wallet.

Studio369 has partnered with Immutable to implement this middleware layer, appealing to both traditional players and those familiar with blockchain technology.

“We didn't want the implementation of Web3 to affect any of our game design.”

Nicolaides explained that the team behind Metalcore “wanted to grow slowly” in order to develop the game “responsibly”.

Related: Web3 Games Could Explode Due to Artificial Intelligence, Says AI Game CEO

Ronin has released zkEVM for gaming

In parallel with MetalCore's developments, Ronin recently announced its expansion to support a wider gaming ecosystem on the Zero Knowledge (ZK) Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) blockchain.

According to Jeff Zirlin, founder of SkyMavis, the innovation supports up to four billion transactions every day.

Ronin's layer-2 zkEVM aims to improve user experience and support game studio partners.

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