Off the Grid: Web3 Goes Mainstream! – Games Growth with Upptic

Off the Grid has rapidly emerged as a standout title in both the Web3 and traditional gaming spaces. This free-to-play, third-person extraction shooter, currently in early access, has captivated gamers with its compelling mechanics and engaging gameplay. Available on platforms like the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, Off the Grid has reached the top of the charts and garnered attention from prominent streamers like Ninja and Dr. Disrespect.

However, what sets Off the Grid apart isn’t just its gameplay — it’s the seamless integration of Web3 elements, an aspect that many players may not even realize is present. As the gaming world continues to explore blockchain technology, Off the Grid is breaking new ground by combining traditional gaming experiences with decentralized tech in a way that enhances the overall experience. This episode of Games Growth with Upptic delves into the game’s unique Web3 economy, its strategic launch, and the broader implications for the gaming industry.

Chapter Selector

• What is Off the Grid?
• Why Off the Grid is Seeing Success
• Growth Strategy Behind Off the Grid
• Off the Grid‘s Game Economy
• Off the Grid‘s impact on Web3 Gaming
• The Next Frontier: Web3 in Mobile Gaming

What is Off the Grid?

Off the Grid is a free-to-play, third-person extraction shooter currently in early access. It launched on platforms like the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, quickly gaining attention for its unique blend of gameplay mechanics. The game peaked as the top free-to-play title on the Epic platform and has been heavily streamed by popular influencers such as Ninja and Dr. Disrespect.

A Surprising Web3 Element

One of the “dirty little secrets” of Off the Grid is that it’s a Web3 game — something that might not be immediately obvious to players. While many Web3 games are notorious for requiring complex wallet setups, Off the Grid takes a different approach with what’s called “wallet abstraction.” This essentially means that players don’t need to worry about setting up or managing a crypto wallet; it’s seamlessly integrated into the game’s account creation process. This low-friction approach has been a topic of speculation in the industry for some time, and Off the Grid seems to be proving that it can work in practice.

High-Performance Requirements

It’s important to note that the game comes with hefty hardware requirements, particularly for PC players. The game requires a powerful graphics card, such as an NVIDIA 3000 series or higher. Despite these high demands, the game also runs on consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, making it accessible to a broader audience.

Developed by Gunzilla Games

Off the Grid was developed by Gunzilla Games, a studio that has chosen the Avalanche chain for its Web3 features. The game’s development also features the creative input of Neil Blomkamp, the well-known director of District 9, Elysium, and Chappie. His distinct dystopian sci-fi style is evident throughout the game’s world-building and narrative elements.

A Standalone Experience with Web3 Additions

Even without its Web3 components, Off the Grid stands out as a well-produced and thoughtfully designed game. It has the DNA of a high-budget release, and its dev team’s execution suggests that the game could thrive on its gameplay and design alone. However, the inclusion of Web3 elements adds an extra layer of intrigue, especially as the gaming world continues to explore blockchain and decentralized technology.

Why Off the Grid is Seeing Success

Off the Grid has made a significant impact by breaking into mainstream gaming channels, a feat that many Web3 games struggle to achieve. The game’s success can be attributed to several strategic decisions that set it apart from the typical approach seen in blockchain-based games.

Meeting Gamers Where They Are

A key differentiator for Off the Grid is that the developers took the game to where gamers already are — PC and console platforms, rather than confining themselves to Web3-centric spaces. Unlike many blockchain games that rely on social media hype, Off the Grid has made an effort to appeal to traditional gaming audiences by launching on Epic Games, PlayStation, and Xbox. By doing so, the game reached popular streamers like Ninja, Shroud, and XQC, bringing it into the mainstream conversation in a way that resonates with regular gamers.

Building a Game for Gamers, Not Just Crypto Enthusiasts

One of the central points discussed during our Games Growth with Upptic podcast is that Off the Grid wasn’t marketed as a Web3 game upfront. In fact, players wouldn’t even realize it’s blockchain-based unless they dug deeper into its mechanics. The game’s onboarding process is seamless, allowing players to enjoy the experience without the friction of setting up wallets or dealing with crypto jargon. This has allowed the game to stand on its own as a fun, engaging title that can appeal to skeptics of Web3 technologies.

Marketing Director Xander Agosta, Upptic’s resident Web3 skeptic, mentioned that the game feels smooth and enjoyable, comparing its gameplay to popular titles like Fortnite. The extraction shooter mechanics, combined with Web3 elements like asset ownership, add depth without overwhelming the core gaming experience.

A Well-Planned Launch Strategy

The game’s launch strategy also played a significant role in its breakthrough. Rather than relying on small-scale campaigns or grassroots efforts within the blockchain community, Off the Grid executed a large-scale marketing push that involved sponsoring top-tier streamers. By investing in platforms and creators with massive followings, Gunzilla Games was able to bring Off the Grid to a wider audience. This approach demonstrated a high level of confidence in the game’s quality, knowing that streamers and players alike would respond positively once they tried it.

High-Quality Early Access

Unlike many Web3 games that release with minimal content, Off the Grid launched in early access with a fully developed core gameplay loop. According to Upptic Growth Strategist Mateo Arias, the game was about “95% complete,” making it more polished than many other blockchain games at a similar stage. This level of completeness gave players confidence that they weren’t just testing a prototype but rather playing a real game with potential.

The Role of Blockchain: Enhancing the Gameplay Loop

Though Off the Grid doesn’t force its blockchain features on players, those who engage with the Web3 elements will find that they complement the gameplay in meaningful ways. The game’s extraction shooter mechanics are well-matched with the blockchain’s ownership and asset transfer capabilities, allowing players to ship items “off the grid” into real-world markets. This symbiotic relationship between gameplay and blockchain is a notable achievement, providing an example of how Web3 technology can enhance rather than hinder the gaming experience.

The Power of Community and Organic Growth

While the game initially relied on sponsored streams, organic interest quickly followed. By day seven of its release, Off the Grid saw a surge in the number of Twitch streamers, growing from 3,000 to over 15,000. Many of these creators were not sponsored, highlighting that the game was resonating with the broader gaming community. This organic growth indicates that players are willing to overlook a game’s blockchain aspects if the game itself is fun and engaging.

Growth Strategy Behind Off the Grid

Off the Grid has gained significant traction in both the Web3 and traditional gaming spaces through a robust and well-executed growth strategy. The key to its success lies in a combination of paid and earned media, with a focus on leveraging the right content creators and streamers to generate excitement and trust in the gaming community.

Leveraging Top-Tier Content Creators

One of the most effective components of Off the Grid‘s growth strategy was its decision to engage with some of the largest streamers in the world, including Ninja, Shroud, and Tim the Tatman. By investing heavily in these influencers, the developers were able to introduce the game to massive audiences, helping it break through in mainstream gaming discussions. This strategy ensured that the game was not only seen by large audiences but also reached the right niche — players already interested in Battle Royale games.

While much of the initial promotion involved paid sponsorships, the knock-on effect from these high-profile streamers led to substantial earned media coverage. This refers to content that was created organically by other streamers and content creators who weren’t compensated to play the game. As the game gained momentum, smaller streamers and influencers began picking it up, leading to even more exposure.

The Power of Earned Media

Earned media became a significant driver of Off the Grid‘s success. While the initial wave of paid promotions helped establish the game, the real breakthrough came from streamers and content creators who chose to feature it without compensation. For instance, the YouTuber Tomographic, with over 800,000 subscribers, initially turned down paid content opportunities for the game due to concerns about its web3 origins — but later created unpaid content because he genuinely enjoyed it. This kind of unpaid endorsement from top-tier creators added credibility and authenticity to the game’s reputation.

Mateo pointed out that, while only about 80 streamers were paid to promote the game, by day seven of its launch, over 15,000 streamers had broadcasted gameplay on Twitch. This massive growth in organic content creation is a testament to the game’s appeal and the effectiveness of a well-targeted initial push.

Targeting the Right Niche

A critical aspect of Off the Grid‘s growth strategy was its focus on reaching the right audience. Rather than promoting the game to just any large streamer, the developers ensured that they targeted content creators who specialize in Battle Royale games. By doing so, they reached players who were already interested in the genre, ensuring that the game was being discussed by the most relevant voices. This targeted approach allowed the game to resonate more effectively with its core audience, avoiding potential mismatches that could have occurred by partnering with creators from unrelated genres.

Balancing Web3 and Traditional Gaming

One of the unique challenges for Off the Grid was integrating its Web3 technology without alienating traditional gamers. Gunzilla Games, the developers behind Off the Grid, approached this by keeping the blockchain elements in the background. As their Director of Web3, Theodore Agranat, mentioned in a Twitter Space, the goal wasn’t to make the game about crypto but to focus on providing a fun, engaging experience for gamers. Web3 functionality, such as asset ownership and blockchain integration, was present but wasn’t the focal point, allowing the game to stand on its own merit as a well-designed shooter.

This decision to avoid “shilling” crypto features proved to be an effective strategy. By emphasizing gameplay over blockchain, Off the Grid was able to appeal to a broader audience, including those who might be skeptical of Web3 technology. Many players were drawn to the game without even realizing it had blockchain components, making it a natural introduction to Web3 for traditional gamers.

Overcoming Crypto Skepticism

Despite its success, Off the Grid still faced some resistance from players skeptical of any game associated with crypto or NFTs. As seen in the comments of its YouTube videos and reviews, some gamers expressed hesitation, with remarks like “Get this crypto and NFT out of here” and concerns about the potential for financial loss. However, these comments have been diminishing in frequency compared to earlier Web3 game launches.

As the conversation around the game has shifted, more content creators have been willing to give the game a chance and assess it based on its merits rather than its association with blockchain. This shift in perception represents a broader move in the gaming community, as players begin to recognize that a well-designed game can succeed regardless of whether it integrates Web3 elements.

A New Monetization Model

The growth of Off the Grid also signals the ongoing evolution of monetization models in gaming. Much like the initial resistance to freemium and free-to-play models, there is still hesitation around Web3 technology in gaming. However, the success of Off the Grid suggests that blockchain-based games can coexist alongside traditional monetization models and offer new ways to engage players. As more gamers grow accustomed to these systems, it is likely that Web3 elements will become a natural part of the gaming ecosystem, much like how free-to-play games eventually became widely accepted.

Off the Grid‘s Game Economy

As the world of Web3 gaming continues to evolve, Off the Grid stands out as a game that seamlessly integrates blockchain technology into its core gameplay. However, due to the legal complexities surrounding blockchain-based economies, developers often face restrictions when discussing these economic mechanics openly.

Legal Gray Areas in Web3 Game Economies

Web3 game developers, including those behind Off the Grid, often find themselves in murky legal waters when it comes to discussing blockchain components of their games. Anything related to cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or speculative markets can pose risks, making developers cautious about disclosing too much detail. This hesitance leaves many aspects of the game’s economy unclear to players. In Off the Grid’s case, the developers have provided little public material explaining how its Web3 economy functions, leaving the community to rely on third-party content creators for insights.

Content Creators: The Bridge Between Developers and Players

One of the unique dynamics of Web3 gaming is the reliance on content creators to explain elements of the game’s economy that developers are often restricted from discussing. In the case of Off the Grid, content creators like Apix (a prominent figure in the gaming community) have taken the lead in explaining the game’s Web3 components. Apix shared a graphic outlining how the game’s economy works, offering players a clearer understanding of the in-game economic loop without the developers directly addressing it.

This relationship between developers and content creators highlights the challenges and opportunities within Web3 gaming. Content creators, as independent parties, have the freedom to share information that developers cannot. This allows for a more transparent communication channel between the game and its audience, even if it operates in a legal gray area.

How Off the Grid’s Web3 Economy Works

At a high level, Off the Grid incorporates blockchain technology in a subtle way that most players might not even realize. During gameplay, players can collect “hexes,” which function similarly to loot boxes in traditional games. When a player decodes a hex, they unlock an NFT cosmetic item, which is automatically written to the Apex chain and stored in their blockchain wallet. This process happens behind the scenes, allowing players to participate in the Web3 economy without necessarily being aware of its complexities.

In addition to hexes, Off the Grid features “nodes” — Web3 modules that can emit tokens. These nodes generate rewards through in-game activities, and they also share revenue from the game via token buybacks, which can potentially increase the value of these tokens. However, due to the legal constraints surrounding cryptocurrency, especially in countries like the U.S., many players remain unaware of the full scope of how these nodes operate.

A Global but Selective Web3 Economy

One notable limitation of Off the Grid’s economy is that certain aspects are restricted to non-U.S. players. Due to legal concerns, U.S. citizens and accredited investors are not allowed to purchase nodes or participate in some of the game’s token-related activities. This exclusion limits the game’s economic reach, but it reflects the regulatory challenges that Web3 games must navigate as they build global gaming economies.

Integrating Web3 into Core Gameplay: A Unique Approach

What sets Off the Grid apart from other Web3 games is how deeply its blockchain mechanics are integrated into the core gameplay experience. The game’s Battle Royale mode features high-stakes moments where players can collect hexes dropped by defeated opponents. These hexes take time to unlock, and players must extract them and send them back to their base (i.e. blockchain wallet). This creates a sense of urgency and high-risk gameplay, as other players can attack and steal the hexes during the extraction process.

This mechanic demonstrates how Off the Grid has built blockchain technology into the foundation of its gameplay, rather than adding it as an afterthought. Players are incentivized to engage with the Web3 economy in a way that feels natural and exciting, rather than forced or irrelevant to the overall experience.

A Shift in Web3 Game Development

Historically, many early Web3 games were developed by studios that struggled to find success in traditional gaming. These developers often retrofitted their existing games with blockchain elements in an attempt to capture the Web3 market. However, this approach resulted in games that felt incomplete or disconnected from the technology they were trying to leverage.

Off the Grid represents a shift in this trend. Built from the ground up with blockchain in mind, the game offers a more cohesive experience that integrates Web3 mechanics into its design from the beginning. This shift indicates that Web3 games are maturing, with better funding, stronger development teams, and more thoughtful integration of blockchain technology.

Off the Grid‘s impact on Web3 Gaming

The success of Off the Grid has sparked significant conversation in the gaming industry, particularly in the Web3 space. As the game continues to make waves, it’s important to examine what this means for the broader gaming ecosystem. Is Off the Grid a groundbreaking moment, or just a temporary trend?

The Risk of Imitation: Flashy Trailers and Cookie-Cutter Games

One of the immediate concerns following Off the Grid’s rise is the inevitable wave of copycat projects. Over the next few months, we are likely to see an influx of early-stage games showcasing slick trailers in an attempt to capitalize on Off the Grid’s success. These projects will likely try to raise significant funding by presenting themselves as the next big thing in Web3 gaming, despite offering cookie-cutter gameplay. This “land grab” approach could saturate the market with low-quality games that prioritize aesthetics and marketing over substance.

The concern here is that many of these games will fail to deliver a meaningful experience, which could lead to disappointment among players and investors. As pointed out on Games Growth with Upptic, these projects will attempt to replicate the Off the Grid formula without the necessary talent, funding, or development time to produce a comparable product. This rush to market could hurt the reputation of Web3 gaming in the short term.

Learning from the Past: Comparisons to Axie Infinity

Another common comparison has been drawn between Off the Grid and Axie Infinity, another game that has dominated the Web3 gaming space. While there are parallels in terms of both games’ ability to attract attention and redefine what’s possible in Web3, they serve different markets and purposes. Axie Infinity was pivotal in bringing Web3 gaming to regions that had not traditionally engaged in gaming, especially in Southeast Asia. It introduced a new way for players to earn through gaming, attracting millions of wallets (though the actual number of active players remains unclear).

Off the Grid, on the other hand, targets a more traditional gaming audience, particularly core gamers who enjoy high-end PC experiences. While Axie Infinity opened new markets, Off the Grid is meeting players where they are, appealing to those who are already part of established gaming communities. These differences suggest that, while both games are culturally significant for Web3, they serve distinct roles in the ecosystem.

Setting a New Bar for Web3 Game Development

What truly sets Off the Grid apart from previous Web3 games is its high-quality development and execution. The game is the result of a talented team, significant venture capital backing, and over five years of development. This level of investment and commitment is not something many Web3 gaming studios can replicate easily. Many earlier Web3 projects lacked the necessary funding and talent, resulting in games that felt rushed or incomplete.

As noted on Games Growth with Upptic, Off the Grid has raised the bar for the entire industry. It’s not just about incorporating Web3 elements; it’s about creating a high-caliber game that can stand on its own. Other developers now realize that competing at this level requires more than just blockchain integration — it requires the same dedication and resources that go into top-tier traditional games.

The Challenges of Maintaining Momentum

While Off the Grid has had a strong launch, the long-term success of the game is still uncertain. Other shooters, like X-Defiant and The Finals, also generated hype through top-tier streamer endorsements but ultimately failed to maintain player engagement. There is a risk that Off the Grid could face a similar decline in interest once the initial novelty wears off, especially with major releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on the horizon.

The Web3 space is known for jumping to conclusions, often declaring a game’s success or failure prematurely. However, building a sustainable game takes time. Developers must continue refining the gameplay and maintaining player interest through regular updates. It’s crucial for the gaming community to give Off the Grid the time and space to develop its post-launch content and establish a long-term player base.

A Potential “Axie Moment” for Western Markets

Despite the potential challenges, Off the Grid represents a significant moment for Web3 gaming, particularly in Western markets. The game’s impressive metrics, including millions of hours watched on streaming platforms and high viewer engagement, suggest that it has the potential to become a breakout hit in the space. Upptic Growth Strategist Jerry Singer noted on Games Growth with Upptic that he believes this could be a “5x to 10x Axie moment” for Web3 in the West, helping to establish blockchain gaming as a viable part of the broader gaming landscape.

The Next Frontier: Web3 in Mobile Gaming

While Off the Grid focuses on the high-end PC market, many are eagerly awaiting the moment when Web3 fully integrates into mobile gaming. The mobile gaming sector has yet to see a Web3 game achieve the same level of success as Off the Grid, but the potential is enormous. Mobile games have a much larger player base, and when a Web3 mobile game emerges that truly enhances the player experience — rather than adding friction — it could lead to explosive growth.

Games like Guild of Guardians have shown early promise, but the mobile Web3 space is still in its infancy. The next breakthrough game that leverages blockchain technology while providing a seamless mobile experience could open the floodgates for widespread adoption in this sector. Many are watching this space closely, hoping to be part of the next big Web3 mobile game launch.