The blockchain game Illuvium is set to gain wider exposure as it prepares for listing on the Epic Games Store.
Blockchain games have traditionally faced challenges in gaining widespread recognition, but Illuvium's upcoming listing on the Epic Games Store has the potential to alter this narrative.
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Illuvium, a blockchain-based game, is poised to reach millions of PC and mobile gamers with its impending listing on the Epic Games Store, home to renowned titles like Fortnite. Developed by Illuvium Labs, the game will make its debut on Epic's store on November 28, following months of preparation to meet the platform's requirements and legal standards.
Kieran Warwick, co-founder of Illuvium, explained how the game evolved to cater to a mainstream audience:
"The result of these efforts has not only earned Illuvium a place on a leading gaming platform but has also evolved our product."
Illuvium was built using Unreal Engine 5 on the Immutable X network. Its beta launch on Epic Games Store will feature three distinct game genres within the Illuvium universe: Overworld, an open-world exploration game with creature capture mechanics; Arena, an auto battler strategy game; and Zero, a mobile and desktop city-builder that complements the other titles. The diversified approach aims to attract a broader audience of gamers.
Warwick also addressed the challenges faced by blockchain games with NFT elements in gaining mainstream adoption. He emphasized the barrier to entry for non-Web3 native gamers and the common perception that NFT games require wallets and significant financial investment. Illuvium has addressed this by removing the need for wallets and offering free gameplay.
According to Warwick, the hesitation of mainstream game publishers to embrace games that incorporate Web3 infrastructure is influenced by several factors, including concerns about game design integrity, regulatory issues, cryptocurrency market volatility, and the potential for fraud.
Illuvium's listing on the Epic Games Store marks a significant milestone for the blockchain gaming industry, as it positions the game alongside some of the most popular mainstream titles in recent years.
Warwick sees this development as a significant step forward for Web3 gaming in the crypto space, and he believes it will bring greater attention and recognition to the industry.
Over the past year, Web3 gaming investors have taken a more cautious approach when supporting early-stage studios developing blockchain games, given the challenges posed by a lengthy cryptocurrency bear market. This has necessitated greater due diligence from industry venture capitalists.
