Blockchain-based gaming platform Plai Labs recently hosted Champions Ascension, an arena-based, gladiatorial combat game that was developed inside a virtual world. The game’s centerpiece is 3D arena combat, but Plai Labs is also building an open world around it. The company announced the event at the 3XP Web3 Gaming Expo, which was a first-time blockchain and esports gaming event where Plai Labs’ CCO Johnny Casamassina was a speaker on a panel about big game companies exploring the world of blockchain games. The event took place live in the afternoon with a major focus on the game’s community of players as its foundation.
In addition to the tournament, Plai Labs used the occasion to announce that it is moving over to the Polygon blockchain network. The transition of $10 million in assets from Ethereum was completed to provide a low-friction solution and environment of safety for players to transact, enabling community groups to put their own identities on the chain. Players can buy NFTs and obtain full ownership of the game. The gameplay has been opened up to traditional Web2 players as well as Web3 players.
While Plai Labs has been developing this game for over a year, the company hosted its first PvE raid with the aim of killing a monster called Old Sally. Payton Kaleiwahea, Head of Marketing, provided details on the tournament, stating that it was aired on the front page of Twitch as players tried to take down the legendary creature. The game has been played on a pre-alpha client, and players are putting in several hours a day, with a 15-person free-for-all mode being launched to increase engagement.
Plai Labs intends for the game to be free-to-play, with player ownership at the backbone providing a solid foundation. Casamassina expressed gratitude for having an experienced team of about 45 full-time employees behind the project.
