Veteran game developer John Smedley, renowned for his work on titles like EverQuest and Planetside, has announced the launch of Distinct Possibility Studios and its debut game, Reaper Actual. This open-world shooter, set on a sprawling island, promises to blend traditional gaming elements with blockchain technology, offering user-owned bases that can be acquired as NFTs or through conventional platforms.
The announcement comes as Distinct Possibility reveals it has secured $30.5 million in funding, led by Bitkraft and Brevan Howard Digital. Smedley, who previously served as president of Sony Online Entertainment, believes that Reaper Actual could attract “millions and millions” of players by integrating crypto technology in a way that appeals to both traditional and modern gamers.
Revolutionizing the Shooter Genre
Reaper Actual is designed as a PC-based, open-world multiplayer shooter. Players will upgrade and defend bases on what Smedley claims will be the largest map of any first-person shooter, surpassing even Call of Duty: Warzone’s Al Mazrah by four times. The game will allow players to attack other bases, navigating through traps set by opponents to steal valuable items.
The pre-alpha Foundation release of Reaper Actual is expected soon, following two years of development. Players will need to purchase limited bases bundled with unique characters to access this phase. The full release is slated for early next year, with a transition to a free-to-play model approximately six months later.
Integrating Blockchain in Gaming
Distinct Possibility aims to make crypto optional, offering bases as NFTs and through Web2 platforms like the Epic Games Store. Set on the island of Marova, recently ravaged by civil war, players assume the role of “Reapers” from global intelligence agencies, seeking fame and glory amidst five AI-controlled factions vying for control.
The game’s missions encourage player conflict, with some tasked to defend factions while others attack. Smedley describes the gameplay as a blend of Call of Duty: DMZ, Escape from Tarkov, and Rainbow Six Siege, set in a massive open world.
Base Ownership and Market Dynamics
Bases in Reaper Actual range from basic bunkers to luxurious apartments and derelict submarines. A phasing system ensures players with identical bases in the same lobby do not encounter each other. Players can gather resources to craft weapons and defenses, with items tradable on the Steam community marketplace and via NFTs on a Tezos-based network.
“Let’s say you and I are on the same raid together, and we both get this Vantablack gun skin—and I watch you go sell that […] and you make the equivalent of $500,” Smedley explained. “A lot of players will look at that and go, ‘Hey, that doesn’t suck!’ They’ll like it. We think that we can migrate people [that way].”
Smedley projects that initially, only 8% of players will engage with the crypto marketplace, but expects this number to grow to 30% over two years.
Looking Forward: The Future of Gaming
The success of Avalanche-based shooter Off the Grid has given Smedley confidence in his model. The game became an instant hit, with top streamers praising its use of NFTs, likening it to the Steam marketplace. Smedley sees this as a validation of his approach, believing players will gradually embrace crypto marketplaces.
The inspiration for this model traces back to Smedley’s experience with H1Z1, where he observed players actively trading items on the Steam Community Market. Reaper Actual will encourage modding, allowing players to create new game modes, servers, and skins.
“This is the type of game that can bring millions and millions of people in, if the history of the games I’ve worked on are any evidence,” Smedley stated. “We’re going to be able to sell Web2 players on this idea of Web3 done right.”
As Reaper Actual prepares for its release, the gaming community watches closely to see if Smedley’s vision of a blockchain-integrated shooter can indeed redefine the landscape of the gaming industry.
