District 9 Director’s New Game Will Be Anchored By an NFT Platform Called ‘GunZ’ [IGN]

GunZ will utilize blockchain technology for in-game item trading, where players can buy new in-game items from other players. However, Gunzilla clarifies that trading is completely optional and that the studio will not hide progression or any features behind a paywall. Furthermore, Gunzilla says that it will never sell NFTs directly to players.

Gunzilla’s insistence on the GunZ platform revolves around the fact that in today’s free-to-play games, players don’t get to actually keep the in-game items they earned or paid for. For example, when a game shuts off permanently, whatever time or money the player invested goes down with it.

“You do not, and cannot, own anything. Anyone can read the EULA of any game to verify this. If you’re banned, for example, any item can be taken away from you, even if your ban is accidental. When you stop playing any free-to-play game, the money you’ve put in also disappears, “ explains Gunzilla CEO Vlad Korolev in a statement.

“We are re-inventing the system, putting the power back in the hands of gamers, and are using blockchain technology to make this happen. With OTG and GunZ, we are creating a universe that will set a new standard for the industry.”

NFTs have been a contentious topic in the games industry. Some developers, like Landfall Games, have signed an anti-NFT pledge because of their effects on the environment. Minecraft has also said that it will not allow NFTs or blockchain technology on its platform. Last week during EVO 2022, Sony gauged participants’ interests in NFTs as well.

District 9 director Neill Blomkamp joined Gunzilla as Chief Visionary Officer to help out with the studio’s debut game, in which last month during our interview with him, he didn’t mention that it would have NFTs.

Off the Grid will launch for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

George Yang is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @yinyangfooey