
Ubisoft Quietly Launches Web3 Game 'Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E.' | Image Source: www.ign.com
PARIS, France, 20 December 2024 – Ubisoft made the headlines this week with the underestimated release of his new game Web3, ‘Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E.’ The launch, as IGN pointed out, took a lot by surprise because of the lack of promotion or band typically associated with the new releases of the game giant. The game, rooted in blockchain technology and cryptomoneda, seems to reflect the Ubisoft continuum, though subject, interest in Web3 innovations.
Rayman’s coming back… But not as planned
Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. is inspired by the animated Netflix series ‘Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix’, based on the classic Far Cry: Blood Dragon DLC 2013. The new game adopts a multiplayer shooting format from top to bottom and brings characters from the animated series, including an unexpected appearance of Rayman, the iconic and long-time mascot of the Ubisoft platform. Despite their presence in the game, fans waiting for a complete wake-up of Rayman can be left in need, as character inclusion is limited to this Web3 niche project.
Blockchain-based game increases questions
According to the IGN newsletter and Stephen Totilo, Game File, the game requires players to buy a NFT to participate, with a focus on its Web3 foundation. The block-based game structure led to skepticism between players and critics. As indicated in Polygon’s impressions of the game, this requirement could deter traditional players who hesitate to invest in cryptomoneda or NFT, given the interest of losing in blockchain technologies in the gaming industry.
Ubisoft Web3 History
This is not Ubisoft’s first entry into NFT and blockchain. The company was one of the first major developers of video games to integrate these technologies, launching its Quartz NFT platform in 2022. At that time, Ubisoft imagined a future where players could exchange and sell items in the game, such as weapons and armor, using lock chain technology. However, the reception was lukewarm, and disinterest in the entire sector in Web games3 greatly pushed these efforts into darkness.
IGN editor Matt Kim stressed that Ubisoft’s initial enthusiasm for the blockchain, shown at industrial events such as the DICE conference, has since resigned. Although many companies have distanced themselves from blockchain projects, Ubisoft’s decision to launch ‘Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E.’ shows that the company still had at least one Web3 project in its pipeline, although launched with little band.
Transferred reception and impact on industry
Despite its unique approach, ‘Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. did not generate a significant buzz. Critics expressed doubts about the attractiveness of their game and the need to buy NFTs to participate. As Polygon has pointed out, tedious entry requirements and lukewarm impressions do little to take advantage of players already skeptical of Web games3. This silent version, combined with the broader industry shift away from blockchain-based projects, could indicate the final chapter of Ubisoft’s incursion into Web3 technology.
The subordinate release strategy of this game contrasts with Ubisoft’s typical promotion efforts, asking questions about his confidence in the project. Moreover, the lack of substantial marketing efforts may suggest that Ubisoft values interest without investing in its success.
The Future of Ubisoft and Rayman
Rayman’s return, even in this limited capacity, adds a bitter element to the release of the game. The fans of the beloved hero on the platform are looking forward to a title dedicated to Rayman for years. Although its inclusion in the ‘Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E.’ is a wink to its long-lasting popularity, it can also serve as a reminder of Ubisoft’s prolonged neglect of the franchise. For now, Rayman’s future remains uncertain, with no confirmed plans for an independent game in sight.
While Ubisoft quietly closes the chapter in its Web3 ambitions with this launch, the industry continues to move away from the chain of blocks and games focused on cryptomonedas. That ‘Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E.’ finds that its niche or fades in the dark is still visible, but its launch highlights the challenges facing the blockchain game in an increasingly skeptical market.