Gunzilla Partners with Delphi Ventures for GUNZ Foundation and Token Launch

Gunzilla Games, the studio behind the cyberpunk battle royale Off The Grid (OTG), has announced a strategic partnership with Delphi Ventures. Together, they've launched the GUNZ Foundation, a not-for-profit organization to oversee the creation and management of the $GUN token and its associated web3 ecosystem.

This partnership marks a key milestone for blockchain gaming, combining Gunzilla's creative vision with Delphi's expertise in crypto and tokenomics.

What's Off The Grid?

Off The Grid is a futuristic battle royale that combines classic PvP combat with PvE missions. Set on Teardrop Island, players take on the role of cybernetically enhanced participants in a dystopian reality show. The game features:

• Dynamic Gameplay: Players must balance combat with strategic extractions of valuable items, known as Hexes.
• Customization: Over 260 weapon combinations and cybernetic upgrades let players personalize their approach.
• Large-Scale Matches: Up to 150 players can take part in real-time.

The game launched in early access in October 2024 and quickly gained traction among gamers, with viral clips showcasing its action-packed mechanics.

The GUNZ Foundation

Gunzilla and Delphi Ventures have created the GUNZ Foundation to manage the economic and governance aspects of the $GUN token. The foundation ensures a fair, player-first approach to integrating blockchain tech into the game.

"This partnership marks a significant milestone as we prepare for the launch of the GUNZ mainnet and its utility token GUN, setting the stage for a new era in gaming," said Vlad Korolev, CEO of Gunzilla Games.

The foundation will also provide guidelines for integrating web3 elements into gameplay without overwhelming mainstream gamers.

Delphi Ventures' Role

Delphi Ventures, known for backing top blockchain projects like Axie Infinity and Nyan Heroes, will serve as a key advisor to the GUNZ Foundation. The firm's expertise will help shape tokenomics, gameplay integration, and ecosystem design.

"With the rollout of the GUNZ Foundation, we are excited to be advising the team on best practices for token economics, go-to-market, and blending game elements into the on-chain economy in a way that thrills players," said Piers Kicks, Founding Partner at Delphi Ventures.

Kicks is also set to join the foundation's advisory board, providing ongoing support as the ecosystem grows.

How Blockchain Fits into OTG

Gunzilla has carefully integrated blockchain into OTG to enhance, not overwhelm, the gaming experience. Key features include:

1. NFT Ownership: All in-game items are represented as NFTs, giving players true ownership.
2. Seamless Onboarding: Players don't need crypto knowledge to start. A wallet is automatically created when they log in.
3. Interoperable Assets: Items can be traded not only on the in-game marketplace but also on external platforms like OpenSea.

What to Expect from $GUN

The $GUN token will serve as the backbone of OTG's economy, offering players:

• Purchasing Power: Use $GUN to buy rare items, weapons, and cybernetic upgrades.
• Earning Opportunities: Extract Hexes in-game and sell them for real money.
• Open Trading: Trade freely on in-game and third-party marketplaces.

The GUNZ mainnet, built as a Layer 1 blockchain on Avalanche, ensures scalability and security. All in-game NFTs will migrate from the current testnet to the mainnet upon its launch.

Challenges and Safeguards

However, integrating a real-money economy in a battle royale isn't without risks. Unchecked trading could create an imbalanced experience, favoring wealthy players over skilled ones. The GUNZ Foundation will address this by:

• Implementing fair-trade policies.
• Monitoring token usage to prevent exploitation
• Educating players on sustainable gaming practices.

Why Now?

According to Kicks, 2025 is the perfect time for blockchain games to enter the mainstream.

"Crypto gaming as a sector has a lot riding on the next 12-18 months," said Kicks. "A window of opportunity has opened up favorable market conditions, an aggressively pro-crypto U.S., and many games entering their third and fourth years of the development cycle."

OTG's success could set the stage for the broader adoption of web3 in gaming. Its ability to attract mainstream and crypto-savvy players positions it as a potential game-changer.

Looking Ahead

Gunzilla plans to launch the $GUN token and GUNZ mainnet in Q1 2025. Players can expect:

• Expanded Features: New maps, weapons, and customizations.
• Community Events: Competitions with real-money rewards.
• A Global Player Base: Crossplay across platforms ensures accessibility.

"Off the Grid represents the biggest shot on goal so far in turning the tide with mainstream gamers," said Kicks.

With its thrilling gameplay and web3 integration, it looks like OTG is set to redefine the battle royale genre—and blockchain gaming as a whole.