Ubisoft, a prominent player in the gaming industry, has officially entered the blockchain space with the release of its first blockchain-based game, Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles. This new title introduces a tactical turn-based experience that incorporates NFTs (non-fungible tokens) as the primary in-game asset. First announced by the company in June, Champions Tactics is a significant development following Ubisoft’s ongoing blockchain experiments, but the release itself was relatively low-key. The game, available on PC, is free to start, but players have the option to purchase NFT figures (digital assets with unique attributes) using in-game currency or cryptocurrencies in the integrated marketplace . The game showcases Ubisoft’s approach to combining collectible digital items with innovative gameplay.
Champions Tactics’ gameplay model focuses on turn-based combat in which players face off using teams of three figures, each with different characteristics. It is also possible to get into the game without purchasing these NFTs, but the option is available to those willing to invest, and prices for these unique figures vary widely from $7 on the market to as much as $64,000. . These collectible NFTs bring great benefits to gameplay, allowing for deeper engagement and competition between players.
Ubisoft’s Strategic Innovation Lab collaborated with Oasys to design Champions Tactics, which focuses on integrating blockchain in ways that improve the gaming experience. According to François Bodson, director of Ubisoft’s Paris studio, the game introduces innovative features that mirror traditional trading card games, but with unique digital assets under player control. I am. He added that blockchain infrastructure will be used to create “new and innovative” gaming experiences, providing players with enhanced agency and ownership over their assets. Each NFT figure is procedurally generated and unique in its attributes, providing strategic depth and flexibility as players can form their own assets and teams through player-driven choices . The design includes an open marketplace for players to build their teams using a peer-to-peer model.
During the game’s development, Ubisoft actively sought feedback from the community through events and the beta phase to ensure player insights contributed to the evolution of Champions Tactics. Ubisoft plans to continue improving and expanding the game based on community engagement, as the game’s blockchain-enabled infrastructure allows for adaptability and growth. The game’s adult rating was not directly mentioned by Ubisoft, but is likely related to the game’s blockchain elements and use of cryptocurrency-based transactions.
In addition to its blockchain debut, Ubisoft previously entered the NFT space with Quartz, a dedicated NFT platform launched in December 2021. Initially, the project included an NFT offering for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, but it met with limited success. Number of NFTs sold. Despite these early challenges, Ubisoft executives maintained that the potential for player-driven value in blockchain assets is promising, even if the initial response was muted. Despite these setbacks, Ubisoft’s dedication to blockchain endured, contrasting with the more cautious or skeptical stances other industry players have adopted towards virtual currencies in the gaming industry.
We are seeing a noticeable shift in enthusiasm for blockchain within the broader gaming landscape. Even Electronic Arts (EA), which once expressed interest in NFTs as an integral part of the future of gaming, has since backtracked and taken a wait-and-see approach. EA CEO Andrew Wilson has previously emphasized the enduring appeal of collectibles in games, but stressed that NFT integration is not an immediate focus for the company. He suggested that NFT integration would only be considered further if it aligns with EA’s core mission of improving the player experience.
So, while other major companies are scaling back their blockchain plans amid uncertain player acceptance, Ubisoft’s release of Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles stands out in the industry. By choosing to launch Champions Tactics, Ubisoft is making a long-term bet on digital collectibles and player-controlled assets as part of its strategy, increasing its commitment to exploring blockchain. With this title, Ubisoft aims to leverage NFTs to create unique gameplay opportunities and player-driven economies, carving out a space in the emerging field of blockchain gaming. It remains to be seen whether this approach will resonate with the broader gaming community, but Champions Tactics marks a notable moment in Ubisoft’s digital innovation efforts.
