The Next-Gen Game Investors are Backing

While games like Starcraft, Stellaris, and Crusader Kings have long dominated the strategy gaming world, newer games like BLOCKLORDS are shaking up the industry. The game has already gained significant momentum with support from fans and game industry giants like Square Enix, Krafton, GameStop, Delphi Digital, Animoca Brands, Bitkraft, and Makers’ Fund.

BLOCKLORDS is an AAA grand strategy multiplayer game designed with a simple principle: “Fun conquers all”. It is part of a new generation of up-and-coming games using innovative technology to create immersive experiences that give more control to the players. Using the latest simulations, graphics, and other technologies, these games are creating more immersive worlds and more opportunities for players to shape their stories. Just as games like Pokemon Go laid the foundation for AR gaming, these games have the potential to be the first in a new wave of immersive worlds that give more control to the players.

The idea of scalable games and player driven-storylines is attractive to game investors as well. MetaKing Studios, the studio behind BLOCKLORDS, has already raised $15M in seed stage funding from big-name investors like Makers Fund and BITKRAFT as well as Delphi Digital, Animoca Brands, ShimaCapital, and others. Investors like Andrew Wilson from Makers Fund have described BLOCKLORDS as “being at the forefront of engaging and innovative game design.”

“Technology is our passion and we’re dedicated to creating a dynamic, scalable game,” said BLOCKLORDS creator and MetaKing Studios CEO David Johansson, “An experience that puts players first, one that will stand the test of time, and one that is built on a solid foundation: fun.”

Defined By Your Deeds

One thing that makes these next-gen games stand out is the amount of control given to the players. Games like BLOCKLORDS and Star Atlas feature intricate founding lore and worldbuilding, but in the case of the former, the ultimate direction of the games’ stories will be determined by the actions the players take, the choices they make, the battles they fight, and the alliances they build. This adds a new layer of realism that previous generations of game developers could only imagine.

Most BLOCKLORDS Heroes will begin their journey as a Farmer, allowing them to build their legacy from the ground up. However, players may choose a new path once they have amassed enough resources. Gamers who crave the excitement of battle can become Knights or Raiders. While Knights gain honor in the service of a Lord or Lady, Raiders sow chaos in the kingdom, attacking farms, villages, or castles and plundering their resources.

If you have ambition (and the necessary skills) your Hero can conquer and rule as a Lord or Lady. Lords and Ladies control entire regions and have the power to impact the game world and the players who inhabit it on a large scale. If they can master the art of regional politics, they may even rise to the rank of King or Queen.

Created For Gamers, By Gamers

Another feature likely to define the future of gaming is the ability to create immersive, realistic worlds. Between its graphics and lore written by award-winning writers, BLOCKLORDS is a medieval experience built for the modern age. With its distinct playstyles, advanced graphics, and player-driven narrative, BLOCKLORDS lays the foundation for an entire player-created and community-driven world. The value of each Hero is determined by the player’s skill, and by their creative and strategic abilities in the game. MetaKing Studios says this system was designed to reflect the game’s diverse community of players, giving each player the ability to express themself and put their unique talents to use.

This creates the ideal environment for a multiplayer game—a world where collaboration is the foundation of everything. Farmers must collaborate to increase their productive power, Knights must unite to fight more effectively, Raiders must work together to plunder greater rewards, and Lords and Ladies must make alliances to maintain the power of their regions. Nothing is certain and adventure lies around every turn.

“Everything we do is driven and inspired by our players,” said Johansson, “From the game’s features down to the flavorful elements that bring the vibrant medieval world to life. We’re dedicated to creating an incredible experience with our incredible community.”

Building Legacies

With the complexity and scalability of these player-driven worlds, game developers have also had to consider the question of sustainability. This was a key factor for the developers of BLOCKLORDS, who designed the game’s ecosystem to last for decades to come. BLOCKLORDS Heroes have a limited lifespan and must continue their legacy through heirs using the game’s Dynasty system. In this way, players can pass down the unique traits and attributes of their Heroes, solidifying their place in the game’s world and history. As these new descendant Heroes mature, they can be married, trained as mercenaries, exchanged, or distributed to other leaders and territories. It’s up to each player to grow the power of their dynasty and determine what their legacy will become.

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This BLOCKLORDS article originally appeared on Forbes on September 14, 2022.