Web3 shooter Off the Grid to launch on Steam despite blockchain game ban
Blockchain games make way despite bans
Despite a wave of Web3 game shutdowns this year, Avalanche-based shooter Off the Grid is set to launch on the major gaming platform Steam.
Gunzilla Games, the developer behind the battle royale shooter already tested in a testnet version, announced that Off the Grid will be released on Steam in June. This will mark the first publicly listed blockchain-integrated game on the platform since Steam’s 2021 ban on blockchain games.
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Gunzilla’s announcement caused a stir, sparking widespread speculation among gamers. In October 2021, Steam updated its policy to prohibit “applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs.” However, as reported by Decrypt, some users noticed that the official Steam listing for Off the Grid mentions an in-game store, potentially hinting at crypto-enabled features.
The listing may indicate a shift in Steam’s stance toward Web3 games. This is plausible, as Off the Grid’s blockchain elements are optional and players can choose to ignore them entirely. It’s also possible that the blockchain features will not be included in the Steam version—though this has not been confirmed or denied.
NFT hype grows ahead of launch
The announcement, alongside the migration of users to the mainnet and the game's upcoming exposure to millions of Steam players, has triggered a surge in demand for Off the Grid NFTs. Some have reportedly reached values of several thousand dollars.
The game will support full cross-play with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S—platforms that have also been critical of blockchain gaming.
These developments come at a time when many Web3 gaming projects face financial struggles and user skepticism. Game creator and collector Tr3vor counted at least 15 Web3 game shutdowns since the beginning of the year.
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Still, Off the Grid demonstrates that blockchain gaming continues to push forward against the odds.
As we wrote, the Web3 gaming industry is currently going through a rough patch. According to analytics platform DappRadar, investments in this segment fell by 71% in a single quarter, amounting to just $91 million. So, what happened to this once-promising sector?
