The primary May & Magic sport debuted again within the Eighties, however the long-running science fantasy franchise has been underneath Ubisoft’s possession since 2003. Regardless of holding the rights for over 20 years, Ubisoft hasn’t made a lot headway with the property lately, however now, it is hoping to breathe new life into it with May & Magic Fates.

The upcoming free-to-play buying and selling card sport appears to be like attention-grabbing sufficient primarily based on what we have seen to date, and in keeping with Ubisoft, it is headed to cellular gadgets first, with a possible enlargement to PC. However what actually brings us right here immediately is the information that Fates has a Web3 layer to it.

How Ubisoft Is Incorporating Web3 Into May & Magic Fates

May & Magic Fates presents itself as a reasonably generic excessive fantasy, sword-and-sorcery-themed buying and selling card sport, however what units it aside is its integration of Web3 parts. Ubisoft has partnered with Immutable, an Australian tech firm recognized for constructing blockchain infrastructure for video games. By this multibillion-dollar partnership, Immutable is offering the blockchain know-how that powers the sport’s digital possession options.

The Web3 part is targeted particularly on buying and selling. Gamers may have the choice to unlock digital possession of their playing cards and commerce them freely over Immutable’s blockchain community.

Regardless of this integration, Ubisoft emphasizes that Fates is a free-to-play card sport at its core. Based on the sport’s FAQs page, gamers can “benefit from the full expertise, develop your assortment, and compete on the highest degree with out ever partaking with the Web3 options.”

Ubisoft’s Historical past With Blockchain and NFTs

Ubisoft has a well-documented historical past of supporting Web3, and May & Magic Fates is not its first try and combine blockchain into gaming. The corporate’s earliest foray was Quartz, a platform launched in 2021 that allowed gamers to amass limited-edition in-game beauty NFTs referred to as “Digits.” The initiative was poorly acquired, with widespread backlash from gamers, and Ubisoft quietly deserted additional help not lengthy after.

In late 2024, the writer doubled down with Champions Ways: Grimoria Chronicles and Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E., two blockchain-powered video games that required NFT possession or pockets integration to play. Neither title may very well be thought-about a hit — each suffered from low participant engagement and largely damaging suggestions.

Nonetheless, Ubisoft seems dedicated to pushing ahead. Because the previous saying goes, “if at first you do not succeed, attempt, attempt once more.” In truth, Nicolas Pouard, VP of Ubisoft’s Strategic Improvements Lab, defended the company’s efforts in 2022 by stating that “avid gamers simply do not get” NFTs and blockchain know-how, and the continued funding suggests Ubisoft nonetheless feels that method immediately.

Web3 Is a Arduous Promote for Avid gamers

A buying and selling card sport like May & Magic Fates may be one of many higher matches for blockchain integration, besides, Web3 stays a tricky promote within the gaming world. The general area is plagued by scams and speculation, leading to a common mistrust of something related to it. To most gamers, Web3 options do not add significant gameplay worth. As a substitute, they’re typically seen as money grabs or techniques that danger tipping video games into pay-to-win territory.

A number of studios have already confronted main criticism for trying to combine NFTs into their video games — criticism strong enough to force most of them to scrap those features entirely. Ubisoft has encountered this resistance firsthand, but it continues to pursue blockchain integration. Whether or not that is pushed by real perception within the tech’s potential or the promise of recent monetization methods stays unclear.

The silver lining this time is that the Web3 parts in Fates look like totally optionally available. Immutable emphasizes that “glory is forged by talent — not luck or wealth,” which factors to a fairer and extra inclusive design. Perhaps this time shall be completely different. If Fates manages to strike the precise stability, it may set a precedent for the way Web3 is blended into future video games, each from Ubisoft and the business at giant.

Supply: Ubisoft