Beyond Gaming: Illuvium and Ethlizards Partner for ‘Battle in the Beyond’
Contributing Authors: Shay, theshaysh0w & Animositas, Ethlizards
Interoperability is a Sham
One of the most overused buzzwords in Web3 gaming is the concept of “interoperability of assets.” For nearly three years, most Web3 game studios have claimed their characters, land and weapons will be usable across the metaverse. Now the dust has settled and those claims have been revealed as empty promises.
Ethlizards CEO, Animositas, critiques these notions as fundamentally flawed business strategies. “Gamers want interconnected experiences, like Ready Player One. Not bastardized versions of well designed gaming environments. Dropping their Fortnite Sniper Rifle into Teemo’s hands in League of Legends is immersion-breaking and presents a host of technical problems. Interoperable assets are a solution in search of a problem.”
This belief has driven Ethlizards to take a different track by launching a series of Interconnected Gaming Experiences (IGEs) to give value back to Web3 gamers. An IGE is created when a mini-game or meta-game is developed alongside a top-tier Web3 gaming studio providing cohesive cross-IP experiences. It’s a fresh take on the concept of interoperability that gamers can experience in 2023, not some distant future.
A Match Made in The Infinite Nexus
Illuvium and Ethlizards, two of the most recognizable brands in the Web3 gaming sector, have officially partnered. As both projects have always shared a common vision for the potential of blockchain gaming, this partnership marks the creation of the first official third-party game in the Illuvium ecosystem.
The centerpiece of this partnership is the collaborative development of a platform known as “Battle in the Beyond,” spearheaded by Ethlizards. This innovative product is designed to enhance the Illuvium gaming experience by introducing multiplayer battling functionality to Illuvitars, which are unique, player-owned, configurable avatars used as profile pictures in Illuvium.
Illuvitars, distinct from the collectible Illuvials found in the Illuvium Overworld, hold a special role within the gaming ecosystem. In the collection game of Illuvium: Beyond, players can open D1SKs and receive two Illuvitars along with three accessories. However, Illuvitars have solely catered to single-player experiences…until now.
The Battle in the Beyond platform evolves this solitary pack opening into a vibrant multiplayer game. Players will have the opportunity to open D1SKs against one another or team up with fellow gamers to battle for the most powerful Illuvitars. The concept draws inspiration from successful platforms in CS:GO and other Web2 gaming studios but with the added element of Web3 asset ownership.
Kieran Warwick, the CEO of Illuvium, shared his excitement: “We’re ecstatic about the debut of ‘Battle in the Beyond.’ Its innovative take on D1SK openings introduces a thrilling competitive layer, ensuring heightened player involvement and loyalty. Coupled with the enticing opportunity to earn rewards on its platform, it’s set to become the go-to place for Illuvium Beyond players.”
Built for Competitors
The platform will also introduce tactical game modes that elevate the gameplay experience and allow more player agency. Players will be able to open multiple D1SKs and strategically combine their Illuvitars and accessories in unique ways to achieve victory. These modes add complexity and game theory elements, catering to a more diverse range of player preferences and strategies.
Additionally, the collaboration presents exciting opportunities for players to win various prizes and rewards. Opening D1SKs in the platform offers a chance for top players to compete for D1SKs, Ethlizards lore and battle pass NFTs and Lizcoin, the native token of the Ethlizards ecosystem.
For Illuvium’s part, the collaboration not only expands the utility of Illuvitars but also allows Illuvium to tap further into their passionate community. The value for content creators to stream D1SK battles, guilds to host large-scale tournaments, and cross-community competitions give huge advantages to Illuvium in future Illuvitar Waves. Having sold over $7.5 million worth of D1SKs in the first two Waves of Illuvitars, it is clear that collectors want opportunities to further use their Illuvitars and will be interested to participate in this community-driven approach to gameplay.
The development of “Battle in the Beyond” builds on Ethlizards’ commitment to delivering utility and value to the sector by creating custom mini-games and meta-games with top-tier partners. This expansion of the community footprint through product development builds on Ethlizards’ previous work of early-stage funding of Web3 gaming projects and underscores the forward-thinking nature of the project.
Pioneering Web3 Gaming
This partnership also sets a precedent for Illuvium and Ethlizards to continue their expansion efforts by collaborating with other studio partners. With a revenue-sharing structure in place, both projects aim to create a symbiotic and value-infusing ecosystem. As the Web3 gaming landscape continues to evolve, collaborations like this will shape the future.
Animositas, the Chief Ethlizards Officer shared, “Ethlizards could ask for no better partner than Illuvium for our first external product. Based on the number of promising Web3 game studios we are working with, it is the first but won’t be the last. Wherever you find a top quality game in Web3, look around, and you’ll likely find those mischievous lizards nearby. Our journey to be at the epicenter of the Web3 gaming industry starts here.”
