Ubisoft and Arbitrum to Launch ‘Captain Laserhawk’ Web3 Shooter on December 18

In an exciting collaboration, Ubisoft, the French gaming giant, has partnered with the Arbitrum Foundation to release Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E., a Web3-enabled top-down shooter, on December 18. This game, set in the Ubisoft universe, brings together iconic characters from well-known franchises such as Far Cry: Blood Dragon, Rayman, Assassin’s Creed, Beyond Good and Evil, The Crew, Rainbow Six, Splinter Cell, and Watch Dogs.

Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. is designed to blend traditional top-down shooter mechanics with competitive leaderboards and Web3 features. It is inspired by the 2023 Netflix series Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, and its gameplay offers a thrilling, action-packed experience for fans of Ubisoft’s expansive worlds. This game is part of Ubisoft’s growing exploration into Web3, blockchain technology, and NFTs, marking a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to redefine gaming in the digital age.

Web3 Integration and NFTs

The game will be launched on the Ethereum layer-2 Arbitrum network, with a significant milestone kicking off on December 11: a free NFT mint via Magic Eden. The mint, which is being offered to players, promises a range of utilities, including governance votes and exclusive collectibles. These collectibles are inspired by some of Ubisoft's most beloved characters, including those from Rayman and Splinter Cell.

The integration of NFTs and Web3 technology into Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. is seen as a pivotal moment for the gaming industry. Nina Rong, Head of Partnerships at the Arbitrum Foundation, emphasized the importance of this launch for the future of gaming and player engagement. She stated, “Today’s mint, and next week’s launch, will be a cornerstone moment as we look towards the future of game development and player experience. For years, players have followed predetermined storylines and character arcs. With Web3, that dynamic is changing.”

The Growth of Web3 Gaming

The Captain Laserhawk launch is part of the broader trend of growth in Web3 gaming. Despite the market’s challenges following the 2021 NFT boom, blockchain-based gaming and entertainment apps are showing promising signs of recovery and growth. Recent reports suggest that NFT sales have steadily increased, with a notable surge in early December, reaching an estimated sales volume of $187 million.

Meanwhile, other players in the space, such as the Beam Foundation, are investing heavily in the future of Web3 gaming, with a $150 million fund aimed at boosting blockchain gaming in Abu Dhabi.

As we approach 2025, Web3 gaming continues to demonstrate resilience and strong potential for innovation, making the launch of Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. a highly anticipated event in the world of blockchain-based entertainment.