Web3 gaming company DPS secures $30.5 million in funding, launches open-world shooting game

Against the backdrop of a generally sluggish Web3 gaming industry, the independent game studio Distinct Possibility Studios (DPS for short) recently completed a $30.5 million financing round. This funding was co-led by the gaming-focused venture capital firm Bitkraft and the European hedge fund Brevan Howard, with participation from several well-known investment institutions.

This round of financing will be used to develop DPS's first game "Reaper Actual," which is a large-scale open-world persistent first-person shooter (MMOFPS). The game is planned to be released on mainstream gaming platforms and will integrate the Ethereum layer 2 network Etherlink to enable on-chain trading of game assets.

DPS's ability to raise substantial funds in the current environment is closely related to the background of its core team. The company's founder, John Smedley, is a well-known figure in the American online gaming industry, having served as the CEO of Daybreak Game Company for a long time, leading the development and operation of classic games such as EverQuest and PlanetSide 2. Other core members, such as Chief Creative Officer Matt Higby and Chief Artist Tramell Ray Isaac, are also seasoned experts in the industry.

"Reaper Actual" is a game that combines tactical shooting with an MMO progression system. Players will take on the role of mercenary warriors on the fictional island of Marova, engaging in conflicts with other players and AI factions. Game features include open world exploration, faction combat, base building, resource management, player-driven economy, and a dynamic quest system.

It is worth noting that DPS has not fully committed to Web3, but rather treats it as an optional feature. Players can choose to trade in-game assets on the Etherlink blockchain marketplace, but this does not affect the traditional free-to-play experience.

DPS chose Etherlink as its Web3 solution mainly for its fast and low-cost transaction features and the security inherited from Tezos. Additionally, the support from the Tezos Foundation as an investor is also an important factor.

Despite DPS securing significant funding, Reaper Actual is still in the early stages. Many challenges faced by Web3 games remain unresolved, and the project's prospects need to be assessed with caution. In the coming years, the game's public test progress, economic model, and user retention rate will be key indicators. DPS's strategy of designing Web3 functionalities as optional modules also provides some risk hedging for the project.