Ubisoft is making another leap into blockchain gaming with its just-announced title, Might & Magic Fates. The game, slated for release by 2025, will feature an optional "Web3 layer that unlocks digital ownership." The company had considerable pushback from the gaming community following its previous forays into NFT Gaming. Yet, this announcement represents a departure from that strategy.
Might & Magic Fates is a card game that allows players to construct decks using creatures, spells, artifacts, buildings, and heroes from different Might & Magic factions. Players can battle against each other online and expand their own card collections. They can accomplish this via trading, playing through the game, and by buying booster packs teeming with cards of varying rarities. The game’s official website has more information about the game mechanics and features, too.
Game Features and Mechanics
Might & Magic Fates combines the strategic depth of card games. It places you directly into the plentiful lore of the Might & Magic universe. In Monster Adventure, players can combine Monsters, Items, and Abilities in smart ways to form impactful synergies and crush their opponents in clever ways. The game aims to provide a compelling experience for both newcomers and veterans of the franchise.
Might & Magic Fates provides a fresh, glamorous option for gamers. You can choose to jump into the Web3 components and check out the blockchain capabilities or play without them. While still an awkward implementation, this could be seen as a misguided effort to respond to the backlash that Ubisoft’s NFTs drew from the gaming community. It’s yet unclear how popular this optional integration will be.
The collectible aspect of card gathering and trading takes it one step further, providing a booming additional market for players to get lost in. Players can stake, trade, hunt for unique and rare assets of varying card rarities. This presents them additional opportunities to improve their decks and make money from the game’s economy. The collectibility factor is absolutely essential to a lot of successful card games. It would go a long way toward making Might & Magic Fates far more evergreen.
Ubisoft's History with Web3 Gaming
Ubisoft is no stranger to misfires in the crypto gaming space, having launched Champions Tactics and a Rayman-themed NFT game to the ire of the gaming community. These projects were received poorly among video game fans. The negative response was largely due to concerns about the environmental impact of NFTs, the potential for pay-to-win mechanics, and the perceived lack of value in digital ownership.
Unfortunately for the backlash, Ubisoft is still invested in searching for blockchain magic under every rock. The company is convinced that Web3 can transform the gaming industry for the better. They’ve struggled to get players on board with the idea that NFTs and blockchain integration is a good thing for games.
"Web3 gaming is inevitable" - Ubisoft employee running the game's Twitter account ( MightMagicFates )
Community Reception and Future Outlook
Even the announcement of Might & Magic Fates has stirred something within the gaming community. Some players seem to be tentatively excited, while many more are still dubious because they recall Ubisoft’s first foray into NFTs. Whether or not Ubisoft is able to address player concerns will be a big factor in the start game’s success. Then, they need to prove out their Web3 integration’s value to entice fans.
Ubisoft’s move to make the Web3 layer completely optional is a good move in that direction. By allowing players to choose whether or not to engage with the blockchain aspects of the game, Ubisoft could potentially attract a wider audience. That said, the company will have to make a strong case for why players should engage with these new Web3 features to win them over.
