MetalCore is one of a handful of AAA-quality blockchain games currently in development and we’re finally going to be able to jump in and try it!
The first time we reported on MetalCore was nearly a year ago, when Studio 369 — the team behind the project — announced the title. What caught my eye in November 2021 was the all-star cast they had developing MetalCore; they have a collective experience that includes Activision and EPIC Games, as well Fortnite and Elder Scrolls.
Developed by Studio 369 and published by Infinite Games, MetalCore is built with Unreal Engine 4, where players can engage in PvP mega-battles, cooperative PvE fights, and faction-based, open-world clashes. MetalCore combines the engagement of traditional gaming with benefits of NFT-based in-game asset ownership.
— Studio 369
The story was becoming familiar, however: experienced developers create studios for highly ambitious Web3 games. Could they pull it off? I hoped so, and in the case of MetalCore, it looks as if it just might be the case. Gameplay footage was shared this summer and it quelled a lot of my concerns over the studio being over-ambitious.
The game reminds me most of Planetside 2, which is high praise in my book, but there are elements of Titanfall and Battlefield too. Multifaceted combat — by which I mean infantry, mechs, aircraft, and so on — is difficult to balance in a way in which all types of combat feel impactful but not oppressive. This is an area that Planetside 2 did particularly well, so we will have to see if MetalCore can replicate that. And, it seems, we don’t have long to wait.
MetalCore Open World Alpha Phase I
In a recent announcement, MetalCore has put a date to its first playable alpha, Open World Alpha Phase I. To play, you must currently hold a MetalCore Infantry NFT which has a floor price of around $100 at the time of writing this (0.078 ETH).
While that is a guaranteed path, if you are not willing to throw $100 (minimum) to get in, there is another path that is free: https://www.metalcore.gg/alpha-waiting-list
MetalCore is still on track for a 2023 release and will be free-to-play, and it is worth reminding players that this is an early alpha phase, so you will experience bugs (and should report them!) The alpha servers will have set hours they will be usable, not round-the-clock, and there will initially only be two server locations: North America and Asia. That’s bad news for me in Europe as high latency is not conducive to an enjoyable experience on a high-pace FPS! But, it’s good news for Superdope!
See you on the battlefield.
