In the second article in our new series looking at blockchain games, we preview HodlGod, the player versus player (PvP) title entering beta soon.
There are two 3D, PvP blockchain games on the horizon with vaguely similar starting points, but distinct final content. The first is a favorite here: 9Lives Arena. The second is HodlGod which is opening its beta up to all in the next week. HodlGod (a name, incidentally, we just don’t love), is described as 3D PvP, Battle Royale game in a fantasy setting, utilizing blockchain decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFTs; it is being built on the WAX blockchain. It is also play-to-earn — a popular addition to blockchain games currently.
The game itself is in many ways reminiscent of old deathmatch shooters like Unreal Tournament, but in a third-person point of view and with a stronger focus on close combat and fantasy weapons. In my time researching HodlGod, including downloading the client to jump into the test area, I found myself equal parts excited and curious. The two game modes we will see in this coming beta are Arena Mode and Purgatory Mode. Arena mode is a closed map (that is, not open-world) and where 10 players will fight to the death in a last-man-standing match. It’s described as similar to World of Warcraft’s arena (presumably only insofar as you’re in an arena with other players) and matches will last around five minutes.
Purgatory Mode is open-world with four stages, played in teams of two. This game mode is play-to-earn, costs $1 (USD) to enter and you can earn up to 1000x that initial investment. You can cash out your earnings at safe points during the game and the total duration is likely to be four or five hours. You can “pause the game and come back” much later if you wish though. Exactly how this game mode works is a bit of a mystery until you jump in. You’re in a PvE open-world map, battling through four stages, but there are PvP opponents as well. Presumably, these are the other teams of two. At the end of each stage, a “Trial” takes place which is purely PvP, with a two on two in an arena. This is refereed by a team of three human referees making sure that nothing untoward happens. I’m not entirely sure how that’s implemented, but referees will earn as they judge matches and there’s a matchmaking system for the reputations of these referees.
The game is certainly promising in two regards: graphics (the Unreal Engine has games looking superb right out of the box) and the game design. The implementation of both the mechanics and the systems will cast the deciding vote on HodlGod’s success, I suspect, but I will undoubtedly be logging in day one of the open beta. The game is free-to-play currently with purchases being for “packs”, though they adamantly state it is not pay-to-win.
