Web3 Game Studio DPS Secures $30.5 Million Funding to Develop Large Open World Shooter Game

Against the backdrop of an overall downturn in the Web3 gaming industry, the independent game studio Distinct Possibility Studios (DPS) recently completed a financing round of $30.5 million, a rare amount in the current industry environment. This round of financing was co-led by the gaming-focused venture capital firm Bitkraft and the European hedge fund Brevan Howard, with several well-known institutions participating.

The funds raised will be used to develop the first project of DPS—a large open-world persistent first-person shooter (MMOFPS) called "Reaper Actual." The game is planned to be released on mainstream gaming platforms and will integrate the Ethereum Layer 2 network, Etherlink, allowing in-game assets to be traded on-chain.

DPS's ability to secure substantial financing in the current environment is closely related to the background of its core team. The company was founded by several seasoned professionals from the gaming industry, and the core leadership team has extensive experience in traditional MMOs and large-scale shooting games.

Founder John Smedley is one of the representative figures in the American gaming industry, having served as the CEO of Daybreak Game Company for a long time, leading the development and operation of several classic games, including EverQuest and PlanetSide 2. Before joining DPS, he also served as the general manager of Amazon's gaming division.

Other executives at DPS also have rich backgrounds. Chief Creative Officer Matt Higby has been deeply involved in the online gaming field for many years, participating in the design and operation of several well-known games. Chief Artist Tramell Ray Isaac is a key artistic member of the Fallout series and has served as art director at several top studios.

"Reaper Actual" is an open-world persistent first-person shooter that combines tactical shooting gameplay with an MMO-style progression system and strategic faction dynamics. The game is set on the fictional island of Marova, where players take on the role of mercenary warriors, engaging in conflicts with other players and AI-controlled faction forces. Core gameplay includes base building, resource collection, faction alliances, and large-scale battles.

The game features the following characteristics:

1. Open World and Faction Conflict
2. Infrastructure Development and Resource Management
3. Player-Driven Economic System
4. Dynamic Tasks and Collision Objectives

It is worth noting that DPS has not fully positioned "Reaper Actual" as a Web3 game, but has adopted a more flexible strategy. The game will offer optional Web3 asset market features, allowing players in need to trade in-game assets using blockchain technology, while retaining the free-to-play and social experience of traditional games.

DPS has chosen Etherlink, an EVM-compatible Layer 2 network based on the Tezos blockchain, as its Web3 infrastructure. Etherlink offers advantages such as high speed, low cost, and security, capable of supporting a large volume of transaction demands. Additionally, the Tezos Foundation participated as a strategic investor in this funding round, which may also be one of the reasons DPS chose Etherlink.

Despite having a luxurious development team and considerable funding, "Reaper Actual" is still in its early stages. The current Web3 gaming industry faces numerous challenges, including player acceptance of on-chain assets, regulatory risks, and the integration of on-chain and off-chain gameplay. Therefore, industry insiders generally maintain a cautiously optimistic attitude towards the prospects of "Reaper Actual."

In the coming years, the public testing progress of 'Reaper Actual', the on-chain economic model, and user retention rate will be key indicators for assessing its success. At the same time, DPS's design concept of Web3 features as optional modules also provides a certain level of risk hedging for the project.