John Smedley, a seasoned figure in the gaming industry and former CEO of Daybreak Game Company, has successfully raised $30.5 million for his new venture, Distinct Possibility Studios (DPS), to create a Web3 AAA shooter titled 'Reaper Actual.'

The funding round was spearheaded by Bitkraft and Brevan Howard, with the game incorporating tradeable on-chain assets such as characters, bases, and skins, while still adhering to traditional gameplay mechanics.

DPS has chosen the Etherlink network, built on Tezos, for the blockchain infrastructure of 'Reaper Actual,' citing its scalability, high transaction throughput, and environmentally sustainable practices as essential for the game's player-driven economy.

Smedley believes that Etherlink's low fees and developer-friendly environment will facilitate the integration of Web3 features without alienating traditional gamers.

The integration of blockchain technology in 'Reaper Actual' aims to blend conventional gaming experiences with the ownership and tradeability of digital assets.

Set on the conflict-ridden island of Marova, 'Reaper Actual' will feature an open-world extraction shooter format, allowing players to engage in Player vs Player vs Environment scenarios, territorial warfare, resource extraction, and base management.

Carlos Pereira, General Partner at Bitkraft Ventures, emphasized the game's innovative combination of MMORPG and FPS genres, which he believes will deliver a distinctive gaming experience.

Smedley aims to attract traditional gamers to the Web3 space by making blockchain integration optional and prioritizing accessibility.

Smedley highlighted the importance of Tezos and Etherlink in providing a sustainable and transparent digital ownership experience in gaming, aligning with the studio's vision of 'Play, Own, Trade.'

Despite the excitement surrounding the funding announcement, industry experts like Alex Chong express skepticism about the sustainability of Web3 gaming, noting challenges in retaining users due to a focus on speculative behavior.

The development team at DPS comprises veterans from major gaming studios, including Sony Online Entertainment, Amazon Game Studios, and Activision Blizzard, who have worked on popular titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite.

The DPS team plans to announce a pre-alpha release called 'Foundation' in the coming weeks, which will provide early access to the game and on-chain tradeable assets.