Regular readers will know my penchant for MMORPGs, and when blockchain technology is thrown in the mix, I’m all ears. The prehistoric themed, Web3 MMORPG, Cradles, is entering open beta in March, with sign-ups available from 1st March.

I have discussed a number of different Web3 MMOs in the past 5 years and there is a thread that runs through all of them: ambition. The goal of creating an MMO is one of the most ambitious a game developer or studio can have, but to do so with blockchain technology truly is unabated ambition, often to a fault. That is, a Web3 MMO is such an ambitious undertaking, it could be insurmountable without a combination of the right team, large funding, and constraints on which features to include initially.

So, what is Cradles, and does it fit those criteria?

What Is Cradles?

Cradles is a Web3 MMORPG set in prehistoric times, with the addition of magic. It has dynamic weather, day and night cycles, building, and many of the expected features of the genre. With regard to blockchain integration, the Cradles team has been considered. First and foremost, they haven’t looked to cash in on some weak NFT presale, which I like. In more practical terms, the game has its own token ($DPRC) which is being carefully nurtured. There is an NFT staking system which is novel, as well as land ownership and governance.

Cradles has undeniable parallels with Ark, from graphics to the inclusion of dinosaurs, and I see that as a positive. The updates to the visuals — as seen in the video above — have been impactful and the focus on PvP is particularly pleasing to anyone with that competitive streak. As for which blockchain Cradles is on, I believe it’s BNB, but it’s hard to find a conclusive answer — that was simply what is suggested if you connect your wallet to the game’s website with Metamask. Cradles is also partnered with Spintop.

https://twitter.com/SpintopNetwork/status/1627605232464035841

As for the aforementioned criteria, it’s mostly positive. The game’s team I can find little to nothing on, other than they work under the studio banner of DRepublic. As for funding, that’s far more encouraging: the game has raised a minimum of $5m from the seed round reports I found, and is backed by some big hitters in the space, including Spartan Group and Animoca Brands. Finally, the constraints on immediate vision appear to be in place, though the dynamic weather system — particularly with wind which isn’t a common feature — does show they’re flexing a little with what the team is capable of.

This is another highly promising Web3 game that I am going to have to playtest to get a real sense of the long-term potential. That said, from what I have seen so far, I’ve been left with a good impression.

If you want to sign up for the open beta of Cradles, visit their website here from the 1st March 2023. Players will be allowed through the gates as of the 15th of March.