When it comes to gaming, Ubisoft has established itself as one of the most recognizable names on Earth. When it comes to the smaller ecosystem of web3 gaming, Immutable has done the same. The two have now partnered to further web3 gaming and it represents another milestone in the establishment of blockchain technology in the games industry.
Immutable and Ubisoft Strategic Innovation Lab Partnership
Immutable has announced the partnership with Ubisoft’s Innovation Lab with the express intent of pioneering a “frictionless web3 gaming experience”. Immutable has been growing and strengthening throughout one of crypto’s most difficult periods, which has seen a reduction in the interest in blockchain technologies’ many applications. That said, a reduction does not mean an absence of, and many companies that hold blockchain central to their future — such as Ubisoft and Square Enix — have not retreated.
Ubisoft has been one of the more vocal and forward game developers and publishers in the traditional gaming space when it comes to blockchain. Two years ago, Ubisoft announced NFTs for one of their AAA titles, and although it wasn’t what I would consider a success, it was a first and stamped the company’s intent for all to see. Since then, Ubisoft has been involved in a number of events and initiatives in the web3 gaming space, but most notably, announced their first blockchain game, Champions Tactics. This is being produced with another favorite of ours in the space, Oasys.
As the platform of choice for many leaders within the Web3 community, Immutable offers both cutting-edge technology and a unique expertise in seamlessly integrating decentralized technologies into games. We’re excited to partner with them and look forward to bringing that level of fluidness within a full-fledged game, so players only have to focus on the fun of the experience.
— Nicolas Pouard, Vice-President of Ubisoft’s Strategic Innovation Lab and Head of its Blockchain Initiative
As with most press releases, it’s difficult to find the meat on the bones of this partnership. Ubisoft’s Innovation Lab is set up for the sole purpose of exploring and furthering cutting-edge technology in the games industry. While it is not expressly concerned with blockchain technology, blockchain is undoubtedly central to Ubisoft and the Innovation Lab. Immutable is well-positioned to assist with this task.
Why Is This Important?
The truth is, we can’t say with any certainty that this partnership will be important, not without more information as to what the partnership will look like. Nevertheless, it has the potential to be seminal, and thus it’s worth planting a flag in the news.
We all know Ubisoft — Tom Clancy, Watch Dogs, Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry — the list of games they have developed and published that are in the gaming hall of fame is absurd. For the uninitiated when it comes to web3 gaming, Immutable play host to titans of the respective blockchain gaming space: Guild of Guardians, Blocklords, Ember Sword, Gods Unchained — it truly is a veritable feast.
Now, many are critical of blockchain games for being scams or low quality, and there isn’t a lack of evidence for that. However, the games mentioned above, among a plethora of others that are nearing release, are great games in their own right, that just so happen to integrate blockchain in a useful way. Of the top games either released or on the verge of being released, Immutable is involved with well over half. Last month I was invited to the Guild of Guardians friends and family beta and I can say with confidence, that’s one hell of a game.
The partnership between Ubisoft and Immutable could be a significant moment for the games industry, but whether it is or not does not erode the positive signs on display by the biggest names on either side of the blockchain wall uniting.
