blockster.com
With the gaming industry proving itself time and time again as a productive medium for leveraging blockchain technology, Layer-1 blockchain Zilliqa has revealed its plans to launch the world’s first web3 hardware console and gaming hub.
In fact, last week’s reveal included more than just ‘plans,’ as an actual prototype was unveiled, with the console’s aesthetic sporting a sleek and minimalistic design that features everything you’d expect from a modern-day gaming console- such as HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C, and USB 3.0 ports. That being said, for those wanting to get down to the nitty-gritties of the hardware in play, the console’s full specifications- such as its processor, memory/storage, video capabilities etc.- as well as price, will be released at a later date.
6 months in and our gaming team already developed the Unity SDK, WEB3WAR, and the gaming hub. But the one thing that brings everything together — is hardware 👀
— Zilliqa (@zilliqa) September 23, 2022
That's right. Zilliqa is building its very own gaming console!
Hear them talk about it!https://t.co/dMdve3Jlwf
With regards to what the console will present to web3 gamers, the company has put a heavy emphasis on user-friendliness, wherein complex blockchain elements such as crypto wallets and mining will be integrated in a hidden manner.
As expected, the console will offer players the chance to earn crypto ($ZIL tokens that is), however in appealing to gaming purists, Zilliqa intends for its titles to primarily focus on gameplay and a ‘skill-to-earn’ reward system, as opposed to ‘play-to-earn’ mechanics that are seen in web3 games such as Axie Infinity.
With the ability to earn through skilful play, as well having $ZIL mining functionalities at their disposal, the company hopes that players will be able to essentially pay for the console through its usage, whilst in addition, it hopes that the blockchain’s broadened base of international miners will help increase its decentralization.
For those who’ve closely followed Zilliqa’s activity in recent months, its Blockster-like plunge into hardware-centric web3 gaming won’t come as a huge surprise, as the company joined the Blockchain Gaming Alliance (BGA) in April of this year, and has also formed partnerships with eSports entities such as MAD Lions, RRQ, and Alien World.
That being said, Zilliqa’s most exclusive partnership comes through the one it forged with web3 eSports brand XBorg, whose community will help develop the console’s marketing prowess and initial gaming tournaments. In return, XBorg members will receive beta test access to the gaming hub in October.
Following on from a successful testing phase, the console is expected to launch in Q1 of 2023. Its launch is set to be accompanied by two exclusive titles, one of which being free-to-play first-person-shooter ‘WEB3WAR’.