The focus of Ubisoft’s first blockchain game, which was finally released, is gathering and fighting NFT figurines. Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles is a PvP tactical role-playing game, and the most costly collectible NFT on its marketplace is currently listed at over $63,000.
The Assassin’s Creed publisher quietly unveiled its project, which is supported by contentious blockchain technology, on PC this week, as observed by IGN. The gameplay centers on rows of characters fighting it out with turn-based abilities in search of experience points and loot, and the artwork appears to be a mashup of Darkest Dungeon and Warhammer miniatures. Players can create new champions or grow existing ones, which they can then sell on a marketplace supported by cryptocurrency.
The mechanics of games
Players engage in turn-based combat with squads of three figurines in Champions Tactics. Although players can still take part without purchasing figurines, investing in NFTs could give them a competitive edge.
Because each figurine has unique stats, players may build teams that complement their tactics.
Ubisoft Paris studio head Francois Bodson described the game’s development process. “The team inside the Ubisoft Paris studio developing Champions Tactics partnered with Ubisoft’s Strategic Innovation Lab and Oasys to ensure that our use of blockchain was done in service of delivering new and innovative gaming experiences for our players.”
Many of the most recently listed champions are selling for between $5 and $200, while the most expensive one on the market is asking $63K, or roughly 1.9 million gold. Players typically spend money to help stronger teams win more games, increasing the value of their collectibles, with the intention of later selling them to new players. This is how cryptocurrency game economies typically operate. Fans of these NFT-based games swear it isn’t a pyramid scheme at all.
When Ubisoft attempted to integrate NFTs into Ghost Recon Breakpoint in late 2021, it made its first foray into blockchain technology. However, there was a quick backlash from both developers and fans, and the excitement surrounding all things cryptocurrency quickly subsided in 2022 and 2023. However, the French publisher has continued to work in case the gaming genre ever becomes more popular.
Strangely, one of the trailers for Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles states that the show is “adults only.” IGN was informed by an ESRB representative that this was a mistake and that the game has not yet received an official rating. The game’s level of success and whether it will even have an impact on Ubisoft’s continued blockchain aspirations are still unknown.
Not only does Champions Tactics have an NFT economy at its core, but it also has other advantages. Instead, you can only play it by downloading the Ubisoft Connect launcher, which some people find to be even more ineligible than having to connect a cryptocurrency wallet.
By utilizing the Oasys blockchain, which is centered on games, Ubisoft highlights sustainability.
NFT figures of champions, which players can purchase or create on the blockchain themselves, form the foundation of Champions Tactics. Naturally, this is not free; virtual gold or cryptocurrency must be used to purchase each figure or its mint (manufacturing).
Players can sell their figures, which is a bonus, but the key question is whether anyone will be interested in purchasing them. The starting price of action figures on NFT trading platforms OpenSea and MagicEden is around 66 (because Ether is accepted as payment, a transaction cost, such as gas, is included in the price).
