Key Takeaways
- Star Atlas is a massively multiplayer online (MMO) Web3 game set in the year 2620, where players can explore, conquer, and build within a vast virtual universe.
- The game operates on blockchain technology, allowing player ownership of in-game items and assets.
- As of this writing, Star Atlas is partially playable. While it is still under development, players can already experience certain aspects of the game, such as exploring the showroom, participating in economic activities, and interacting with the marketplace.
It feels as though the next big space games are always just around the corner, but they have been teasing us with their arrival for what feels like an eternity. Notably, a selection of promising titles was announced many years ago, and most of them are in ongoing development, with some having been released into alpha or early access.
In this article, let’s examine a promising Web3 metaverse project called Star Atlas, which is currently paving the way for the future of NFT-based blockchain gaming.
What Is Star Atlas?
Star Atlas is described as an ambitious blockchain-based space simulation game that aims to combine high-fidelity graphics with a fully on-chain economy.
The game was announced in January 2021, and it captured a lot of interest in gaming and blockchain communities at the time. However, this journey has been met with mixed reactions, especially compared to other space games.
Setting
Set in the year 2026, three factions battle for resources and embark on territorial conquests to achieve political domination.
Players of Star Atlas become citizens of one of these factions, each representing a geopolitical ideology that determines the player’s influence in the intergalactic conflict. By contributing to these factions, players can earn rewards, enhancing their gameplay experiences.
The game’s three factions are the Mud territory, which humankind occupies and controls. Second is the Oni region, which is occupied by a consortium of alien races. The third is the Ustur sector, which is under the control of sentient androids.
Blockchain Ecosystem
The Star Atlas crypto ecosystem was built on the Solana blockchain, which is known for being the fastest blockchain that can facilitate a secure and serviceless gaming experience.
Furthermore, the game uses non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as part of its in-game economy, mirroring real-world economies built around asset ownership. Moreover, Star Atlas closely resembles the mechanics of a blockchain through mining and staking, enabling players to prove that in-game assets are legitimate and can be used within the game.
Players can mine in-game assets that are discoverable through in-game exploration. These assets add value to the game by increasing the player’s attributes or abilities throughout the whole experience. Players can also set up mining and staking nodes to secure the network and help players earn rewards.
Developments
Combining traditional gameplay with blockchain mechanisms and economics, Star Atlas’ crypto gaming platform provides an immersive experience with stunningly detailed real-time graphics built using Unreal Engine 5’s Nanite technology, enabling cinematic visuals acting to some of the most popular games available today.
As of this writing, Star Atlas is still in active development, with several player board modules having been released.
These include the Showroom module, which allows players to view and interact with their ships, and players can fly around, at least over a limited service area.
Another module, called SAGE Labs, is a browser-based version of Star Atlas with a fully on-chain economy. It is worth noting that SAGE Labs is currently in a pre-alpha stage. While it is playable, players can expect frequent updates, changes, and improvements as the developers refine the game.
Overall, many consider the modules themselves to be basic tech demos rather than fully-fledged gaming experiences.
Star Atlas Tokens
The system is built on Star Atlas’ tokens: Star Atlas ($ATLAS) and Start Atlas DAO ($POLIS):
Star Atlas ($ATLAS)
The first token, $ATLAS, is the in-game currency players can earn by mining ore and selling it to the marketplace. It can be argued that almost everything in the game, whether starships, land, or mining platforms, is an NFT. However, there are very few items in the game that players do not own.
Star Atlas DAO ($POLIS)
Then, we have the $POLIS token. The game has layers of governance built into it that players control. From local corporations to guilds, any player holding the $POLIS token can make decisions about the game and perhaps outvote the creators.
Final Thoughts
As far as the sentiment within Star Atlas goes, the community remains excited about the game’s potential and innovative use of blockchain technology. However, skepticism is undoubtedly prevalent outside this community as critics argue that Star Atlas focuses too much on selling digital assets and NFTs with little to show in substantial gameplay. This has also led to concerns that the game may be more about financial gains than delivering a comprehensive gameplay experience.
Nevertheless, the project holds promise with its ambitious vision but faces significant challenges in gaining broader acceptance. To win over a skeptical gaming community, the game must still demonstrate more substantial gameplay and move beyond the basic tech demos.
