NFTs
MetalCore Closed Beta 3 introduces NFTs and Web3 integration – TradingView News
Studio369 has announced the launch of the third Closed Beta (CB3) of its massively multiplayer online game (MMO), MetalCore, scheduled to begin on June 27th.
This beta phase will introduce several updates, including the integration of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Web3 technology into gameplay.
Dan Nikolaides, chief technology officer at MetalCore and former software engineer at Midway and WB Games, spoke to Cointelegraph about the transition from Web2 to Web3.
“We built the game to be accessible without the need for a wallet, with the aim of attracting Web2 and Web3 players.”
Cointelegraph
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Implications of NFT in Gaming
The introduction of NFTs will allow players to own distinct in-game items that can be traded, establishing a player-driven economy.
Nikolaides talked about incorporating “blueprints” necessary for players to develop and progress in the game.
“The scanning system is designed so that you have to play to find rare combinations of vehicles and mechs and then scan them to get blueprints.”
This latest beta phase also introduces SHARDS, an offchain currency that allows users to purchase digital collectibles with fiat currencies. Nikolaides said:
“We are trying to find the right balance between those who are passionate about playing hard and those who want to spend money to progress.”
Related: Immutable, Polygon’s new $100 million fund to throw money at Pixelmon, among others
Web3 integration for Web2 users
CB3 integrates Web3 technology to enhance game elements without requiring players to have a digital wallet.
Studio369 partnered with Immutable to implement this middleware layer to attract traditional players and those familiar with blockchain technology.
“We didn’t want the implementation of Web3 to impact our game design.”
Nikolaides explained that the team behind MetalCore “wants to grow slowly” to develop the game “responsibly.” 
Related: Web3 games could explode thanks to artificial intelligence, says AI gaming CEO
Ronin reveals zkEVM for gaming
In parallel with MetalCore developments, Ronin recently announced that it has expanded to support a broader gaming ecosystem via a zero-knowledge (ZK) Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) blockchain.
Jeff Zirlin, co-founder of Sky Mavis, stated that the innovation would support up to four billion transactions daily.
Ronin’s Layer 2 zkEVM aims to improve user capability and support game studio partners.