The Future of Web3 SpaceMech Gaming: Exploring the Phantom Galaxies
MegaByte Written by Tobith Tom November 8, 2024 Reading time: 2 minutes
How close is the future of Web3 gaming where everyone can retain their gaming assets and trade with each other without sacrificing a unique gaming style similar to today's top-ranked traditional games?
As I was walking around the Future Blockchain Summit and looking at all the innovations and projects, one gaming project caught my eye. While there are still many Web3 games built for the cryptocurrency community, few are developed for the gamer community. That was until I saw Phantom Galaxy - a sci-fi mech shooter game.
Backed by the renowned Animoca Brands, the gaming project aims to lead traditional gamers into the evolving Web3 game through stunning visuals and a unique game style that can transform into a starship and a mech shooter depending on the scenario.
Byteline had an exclusive interview with Simon Lee of Blowfish Studios and delved into Phantom Galaxies' ambitious plans to bridge the worlds of Web2 and Web3 gaming. Lee shared insight into how the studio is inviting traditional gamers into the Web3 space and paving the way for a new era of digital ownership and immersive gameplay.
What inspired the development of Phantom Galaxies, and what core themes did you want to explore in this game?
Everyone at Blowfish Studios is a big fan of the space mech genre and we thought it would be a good opportunity to create such a game built on the blockchain. We also wanted to talk a little bit about the Space Pirates and their different factions, as well as why players as pilots joined the Space Rangers.
For us, it's all about fun - a fun, immersive experience, great graphics, and gameplay are not always priorities in Web3 Gaming. We wanted to change that by focusing on these elements and creating an engaging and fun multiplayer experience.
What unique features distinguish Phantom Galaxies from other mech action RPGs?
Our primary focus is blockchain integration. Our mission and vision is to provide AAA game titles that traditional gamers can love and enjoy, creating an experience that naturally leads them from traditional gaming to web3gaming so they can take advantage of its unique benefits.
We actually started as a Web2 platform and are now a wholly owned subsidiary of Animoca Brands, a major player in the Web3 gaming space. When they acquired the studio, they brought with them a wealth of Web3 experience, which has benefited us greatly.
How does the game integrate the Web 3 elements and what benefits do players gain from this integration?
The big point for us is true digital ownership of in-game assets. This is very important to us. Because, as you know, modern games derive the majority of their revenue from in-game items such as skins and weapons. But from a traditional gaming perspective, players don't actually own those assets, and Web3 changes this by allowing players to not only own these assets, but also trade, level up, and expand them.
Our starfighters, pilots, and even our in-game planets are all NFT. We also have an in-game token called Astrafer (A-S-T-R-A-F-E-R), which can be used in-game to purchase items and NFT mint passes, which can also be earned in-game. There is also a Battle Pass system that rewards players for completing daily and weekly challenges and goals.
Players can purchase these tokens on exchanges such as SushiSwap.
Currently, the platform supports MetaMask, Coinbase, and WalletConnect wallets. Do you have plans to expand wallet integration in the future? Absolutely - everything is possible. We do not have specific plans for any particular additional wallets at this time, but technically we can add new features and wallets as they become available.
What challenges did you face during the development process and how did you overcome them?
As for AAA's Web3 titles, there are not many and we are one of the pioneers in the market in that regard. Being a pioneer is not always easy. This is because there is no rule book on how to do this. We have a clear vision and a strong sense of what we want to achieve, but we have certainly faced challenges along the way and overcome them.
Released in Early Access late last year, it is now available on Steam, Web3 Sense, Epic Games, and our official website phantomgalaxies.com.
What are your future plans for Phantom Galaxies and can we expect any major updates or expansions in the near future?
Of course. We update our games regularly, adding new features, game modes and content. Phantom Galaxies is an ongoing story and we are constantly adding to it.
On Story Mode, the Animated Series, and the Future of Gaming
Yes, there is a story mode. In fact, the game started with a story mode. While most multiplayer games have a formal story mode, we built from the story mode and developed a variety of characters and in-depth settings.
The player is an Ensign, a newly recruited member of the Ranger Corps, tasked with defending the galaxy against space pirates. With the recent increase in pirate activity, there are different types of pirates, each with their own unique goals. As they progress, they reveal more about their plans and begin to question their role in the galaxy, providing a thought-provoking experience for the player.
There is also a Phantom Galaxies animated series, the first few episodes of which can be found on YouTube. One episode is available at this time and a second will be released soon; the first episode, uploaded around June or July, provides additional context about the Ranger Corps and space pirates.
Advice for those starting a gaming project
My advice is that the Web3 blockchain is ideally suited for gaming. It is not hard to imagine a time in the near future when all games will be on the blockchain. They may not be called Web3 games - they may simply be called games. Once a critical mass of players is reached, people will naturally see the benefits of owning and trading in-game assets. It is only natural.
In the future we will tell our children, "We used to play the game, but we didn't actually own the assets. We paid for it, but got nothing in return," we will tell them. I think our children will laugh at that. I already have a daughter and she thinks that way about certain things. That is not a problem. My advice: this change will happen.
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