PUBG Creator to Launch NFT Metaverse Game This Year

Krafton, the South Korean studio behind breakout battle royale shooter PUBG: Battlegrounds (initially PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), hasn’t forgotten concerning the metaverse. In truth, its deliberate Web3 metaverse sport platform—tentatively referred to as Migaloo—continues to be within the works and now slated to launch someday this yr.

Krafton and South Korean augmented actuality agency Naver Z have created a three way partnership firm primarily based in North America and poured $36.8 million into Migaloo’s growth, in response to a launch this week. Underneath the association, Krafton will personal an 85% stake within the enterprise, and Naver Z will maintain the remaining 15%. 

However this isn’t a Zuckerbergian metaverse. Migaloo is being developed by a AAA sport studio and goals to supply a “create-to-earn” system by which customers can create, purchase, and promote in-game property as NFTs. Whereas little else is thought concerning the challenge, it sounds just like the world of Migaloo may resemble one thing like Roblox, however with NFTs.

This joint push towards Web3 sport choices is yet one more instance of corporations within the Asian market growing video games and experiences that leverage blockchain.

Japan-based Ultimate Fantasy creator Sq. Enix has introduced its personal Web3 sport, whereas Japan and South Korea-based Nexon is growing MapleStory Universe in Web3. Singapore-based Razer has launched a Web3 incubator, as properly, whereas South Korean agency WeMade plans to launch a few of its greatest titles overseas with Web3 integrations.

Whereas some within the West could also be unfamiliar with Naver Z, it’s a big tech agency with over $172 million in funding. Naver boasts over 49 million month-to-month lively customers throughout three of its merchandise, whereas Krafton’s PUBG at the moment sees a considerable 289 million month-to-month lively gamers. PUBG Cellular for iOS and Android can be enormously widespread.

That mentioned, Krafton’s Migaloo is not the studio’s solely Web3 initiative. In March 2022, Krafton introduced it had partnered with Solana Labs to develop video games on the Solana community. Neither Krafton nor Solana Labs seem to have made public updates on the plans for the reason that preliminary announcement.

Krafton didn’t instantly reply to Decrypt’s request for remark. Decrypt additionally inquired with Solana Labs concerning the standing of its Krafton partnership, however didn’t instantly obtain clarification.