AI-powered gaming, Ultiverse leads the new GameFi trend
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AI-powered gaming, Ultiverse leads the new GameFi trend
Ultiverse is committed to building a genuine AI gaming platform on web3.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: PP Labs
I. Current State of the Gaming Industry
(1) Traditional Games Remain Highly Popular
As the ninth art form, gaming fulfills a fundamental human need. Currently, there are an estimated 3.3 billion gamers worldwide. In Web2, the global gaming industry generates annual revenues reaching tens of billions of dollars.
(Figure 1-1 Global Game Market Size in 2023 Source: Newzoo)
Nintendo alone currently has a market capitalization exceeding $60 billion.
(Figure 1-2 Nintendo's Market Cap)
Web3 games are poised to create even greater value than traditional games. With AI enhancement, the ceiling for Web3 gaming will be further elevated.
(Figure 1-3 Top 100 Global Gaming Concept Market Capitalization Rankings H1 2023 Unit: Billion RMB Source: Game Daily)
(2) The Rising Value of Web3 Games
Traditional games operate through centralized models. Conventional online games typically seek funding from venture capitalists (VCs), then conduct marketing, and ultimately earn revenue by selling in-game equipment/items or advertising, returning profits to investors. For game developers, initial fundraising, signing investment agreements, and player acquisition represent significant costs. Meanwhile, players not only receive no returns but also lack full ownership over in-game assets.
However, games consist of communities formed by countless players who demand true ownership, trading, and collection rights over game resources. Blockchain technology enables genuine ownership for players. Decentralized operations also provide early users with substantial participation opportunities and shared benefits.
Thus, Web3 games have emerged naturally.
Surveys conducted since 2021 consistently show that among perceived advantages of Web3 games, asset ownership, new income models, and player reward mechanisms rank top three. This highlights the tremendous value proposition distinguishing Web3 games from traditional ones.
(Figure 1-4 The BGA 2023 State of the Industry Report)
The GameFi sector has attracted significant capital attention. Game project financing experienced explosive growth—Q1 alone attracted $739 million in investments, followed by $973 million in Q2 and $600 million in Q3. Many projects received tens of millions in funding. Animoca Brands secured $50 million from NEOM, an investment fund led by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince. Shrapnel, dubbed the "CS of blockchain games," raised $20 million in Series A funding.
Throughout gaming innovation journeys, each breakthrough brings participants hundredfold returns. Even projects like Axie Infinity and Stepn, which faded quickly due to limited playability, once achieved astonishing return rates. From 2023 investment trends, it is evident that old-style GameFi Ponzi schemes have become obsolete. Instead, fresh labels such as "AI-driven" and "AAA titles" dominate investor focus, promising unprecedented user experiences. With AI support, gaming is entering a new era.
II. AI-Powered New Directions in Gaming Development
Undoubtedly, AI has been a hot topic across industries this year. Projects incorporating AI concepts often experience over 10x market growth instantly.
(Figure 2-1 Bigber.AI using AI in life sciences, etc.)
Among all sectors under the "AI+" umbrella, we believe gaming will be the first and most profoundly impacted by AIGC. On one hand, technologies like text-to-image generation are relatively mature—AI can accelerate game development cycles, enabling continuous updates aligned with trends. On the other hand, given gaming's inherent complexity and high production barriers, AI’s impact spans every stage—from analyzing user behavior to customizing interactive scenarios—delivering massive improvements. After all, why would players prefer repetitive NPCs when intelligent interactions exist?
(1) AI Integration in Traditional Games
AI significantly enhances gaming capabilities. Major game studios are now embracing AI to reconstruct the entire industry ecosystem. AI applications have deeply penetrated all phases of a game’s lifecycle.
In game production, AI provides substantial assistance across art, design, and operations. For concept art and 3D modeling, tools like Midjourney offer strong creative support, while open-source models like Stable Diffusion allow finer control. From level design perspectives, Tencent AI Lab demonstrated AI-powered automatic level generation at GDC 2022, capable of creating over a thousand high-quality levels within hours. In narrative creation, AI accelerates content generation by drafting story outlines and dialogues. Operationally, Microsoft's Azure PlayFab analyzes player behavioral data during in-game events, offering feedback and predicting future actions to guide operational decisions. AI is progressively integrating into every aspect of traditional game development.
Regarding gameplay experience, native AIGC games and innovative mechanics centered around natural language generation, image synthesis, and smart NPCs are already taking shape.
- Honor of Kings' Juewu AI is widely used in level evaluation and testing;
- Left 4 Dead employs a system called "Director" that dynamically adjusts zombie spawns, item placements, and overall difficulty based on player performance to maintain engagement;
- In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, ChatGPT enables NPCs in Mount & Blade II to deliver dynamic responses;
- Naraka Bladepoint launched its AI Huizhi Fashion Co-Creation initiative, applying AI in traditional gaming where players generate fashion designs via AI painting and vote for favorites. AI also plays a major role in map generation, model optimization, and level configuration.
An increasing number of game developers are intensifying their AI strategies—game + AI has become the latest trend.
(2) Web3 + AI
Over the past year, the concept of Web3 + AI has gained momentum, with a growing consensus that “blockchain solves issues of production relationships, while AI addresses productivity.”
According to CoinGecko Research, AI, GameFi, and meme coins ranked as the top three crypto narratives in 2023.
(Figure 2-2 Most Popular Crypto Narratives of 2023 Source: CoinGecko Research)
In 2022, metaverse gaming platform Animoca achieved over $75 million in funding and a $5.9 billion valuation—significantly expanding expectations for metaverse platform tokens. As a Web3+AI virtual companion game, sleeplessAI has already secured investments from Binance Labs, Foresight Ventures, and Folius Ventures, with its token market cap reaching $1 billion.
As a MetaFi game, Ultiverse is bound to perform even more impressively.
In early December, Ultiverse launched Bodhi—the first AI-powered open metaverse protocol. Acting as an integrator supporting infrastructure and upcoming DApps, the Bodhi Protocol powers Ultiverse’s vision of an AI-driven collaborative world. By identifying player preferences driven by different motivations, the AI classifies users and feeds data into another real-time multi-algorithm AI engine. This enables real-time adjustments based on user preference data, delivering optimal experiences.
AI serves as the foundational driver, while games act as application scenarios. AI + Web3 breaks traditional gaming limitations, offering highly personalized experiences and refined operations—far surpassing early Web3 games in quality.
Through its powerful AI engine, Ultiverse has successfully created a AAA-grade metaverse platform, providing deep AI-based user profiling and customized experiences. Its AI strategy will drive significant breakthroughs in Web3 gaming. Combining social features and metaverse attributes, Ultiverse is positioned to become the next breakout leader in metaverse gaming.
Currently, backed by AI and gaming trends, Ultiverse has attracted strategic investments from leading institutions like Sequoia and Binance, drawing intense capital interest and poised to lead the market continuously.
III. Introduction to the Ultiverse Project
(1) Ultiverse Overview
1. Project Introduction
Ultiverse aims to build a true AI-powered gaming platform on Web3, integrating Web3 with VR. It pioneers the MetaFi category, allowing players to experience social interaction, AAA games, DEX, DeFi, DAO, and more—all within one ecosystem. Offering diverse user experiences and inclusive communities, Ultiverse strives to build a genuine MetaFi universe akin to Ready Player One.
Attachments:
Project Website: https://www.Ultiverse.io/
Project Twitter: https://twitter.com/UltiverseDAO
2. Team Introduction
The Ultiverse team is based in Singapore, with members experienced in technology, gaming, and marketing. Founder Frank graduated from CMU and is a passionate gamer. The team comprises approximately 200 members including developers and artists, many previously employed at Gameloft, Blizzard, Ubisoft, and Tencent. They’ve contributed to renowned titles such as Elden Ring, Assassin’s Creed, and Prince of Persia.
Team members prioritize gameplay experience, utilizing cutting-edge development tools—Unreal Engine 5—to build authentic AAA blockchain games. They also employ advanced software and technologies seen in Fortnite, Dragon Quest 12, and Mass Effect 4.
3. Funding Status
Ultiverse has raised a total of $18.5 million, with investors including Binance Labs and Defiance Capital.
On March 18, 2022, Web3 MMORPG game Ultiverse completed a $4.5 million seed round co-led by Binance Labs and Defiance Capital, with participation from Sequoia Capital and SkyVision Capital.
On March 25, 2022, Binance Labs invested an additional $5 million in Ultiverse, and its first game will launch on BNB Chain.
(Figure 3-1 Ultiverse Historical Funding)
4. Project Roadmap
Ultiverse has progressed to Phase Three: Terminus City (Metaverse) Alpha version launched (accessible to Electric Sheep holders), Terminus City Beta version initiated, and MetaFi economic system activated.
(Figure 3-2 Ultiverse Project Roadmap)
5. Partnerships
Partnerships further elevate Ultiverse’s standing in the GameFi space.
(Figure 3-3 Ultiverse Partners)
Ultiverse’s strong positioning in GameFi warrants close attention. On March 15, 2024, Ultiverse announced a notable advancement: over 300 cutting-edge gaming/AI projects—including Aether Games, Anichess, Blade of God X, KartParty, L3E7, Lumiterra, Matr1x, MetaCene, Pixelmon, Counter Fire, SHRAPNEL, QORPO WORLD, Spacebar, Space Nation, SwordsnDungeons, Yuliverse, and Today—have integrated with Ulti-Pilot.
Through these integrations, projects will access a vast user base of 5 million and generate 9 million weekly on-chain transactions. Additionally, they gain access to a suite of innovative AI tools. For example, the World Creator Tool—an AI-powered no-code game engine—simplifies legendary story development and facilitates custom game creation.
As an AI-driven game development and publishing platform, Ultiverse plans to release numerous games across various blockchains this year, inspired by BacGames’ recent success. Follow Ultiverse to witness and explore how AI technology innovates gameplay within the GameFi landscape.
6. Product Ecosystem
As shown in the product structure diagram below, the current product matrix is well-developed with a rich ecosystem.
(Figure 3-4 Ultiverse Product Matrix)
Beyond Terminus game, offerings include NFTs like Moonlight and Electric Sheep, task platform Mission Runner, and Ultiverse Live—the most popular streaming platform on Binance Live. Additional games and apps continue rolling out, enhancing user experience and building a true MetaFi ecosystem.
(2) Analysis of Ultiverse Advantages
(Figure 3-5 Popular Games on BNB Chain Ranking Source: Footprint Analytics)
1. Powerful AI Engine
The Ultiverse team accurately grasps AI’s transformative potential in gaming, leveraging AI-driven metaverse protocols to deeply understand user needs and deliver tailored gaming experiences. This ensures sustained engagement between users and the platform, driving continuous growth in the game’s token economy.
(See previous section on Bodhi for details)
2. High-End AAA Production
While games come and go, AAA titles are rare. Requiring immense financial and human resources, AAA games are inherently scarce premium products.
Developing a AAA game is a long and complex process. Large-scale AAA games typically require about five years of development to ensure playability and final quality. GTA5 took five years to develop; Red Dead Redemption 2 required eight. Costs are staggering—Horizon Forbidden West cost an astonishing $212 million with over 300 full-time developers. The Last of Us Part II cost $220 million, employing over 200 full-time staff.
In terms of manpower, Ultiverse's team consists of nearly 200 full-time game developers and artists dedicated to the project, possessing extensive game development experience. Financially, Ultiverse enjoys strong backing from Binance. With advantages in both personnel and funding, Ultiverse has developed a robust product matrix, achieving over 200,000 daily active users and more than 50,000 NFT holders.
(Refer to earlier sections for team and funding details)
3. Immersive VR Experience
VR metaverse has become a market hotspot, especially with Apple’s VR headset boosting market enthusiasm—related tokens like RNDR have seen significant gains.
The next VR breakout may very likely occur in gaming.
With major manufacturers entering the space and hardware rapidly advancing, VR is becoming less constrained by device limitations. Virtual reality in games has made great strides, gradually offering players immersive experiences.
Popular VR games like Beat Saber, Half-Life: Alyx, and The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners showcase excellent visuals, compelling gameplay, and push the boundaries of VR gaming.
Unlike other metaverse games, Ultiverse’s Terminus City offers VR-compatible gameplay experiences driven by evolving storylines and worldviews. It functions like a real-world city, providing public buildings, DeFi infrastructure, and countless interactive venues such as NFT galleries, markets, guilds, and transportation hubs. Players can unlock rewards and build communities through immersive exploration.
Ultiverse’s powerful VR immersion could reignite the VR market and set new industry trends.
4. Rich Social Features
Since the rise of multiplayer online games in the late 1970s, video games have increasingly been viewed as "social" experiences.
Social interaction, a primary human need, exists strongly in games—and becomes more intense the closer it mirrors reality. In fully integrated environments like Ready Player One, social connection becomes essential.
Within Ultiverse, users can assume multiple roles and engage socially in Terminus City, enjoying high interactivity. Terminus offers trading, shopping, task posting/completion, mini-games, music listening, and social chat. This greatly expands Ultiverse’s potential—similar to how Tencent’s social traffic supports its gaming empire with robust user foundations.
Additionally, Ultiverse boasts impressive user metrics.
Ultiverse Live has become one of the most popular streaming platforms on Binance Live, accumulating over 37 million likes, around 325,900 followers, and approximately 318,000 Twitter followers.
Mission Runner, Ultiverse’s virtual task distribution platform, already has 150,000 registered users and has established deep collaborations with multiple outstanding projects.
(3) Participation via Electric Sheep NFT and $ULTC
1. Introduction to Electric Sheep NFT
(Figure 3-6 Electric Sheep NFT)
Electric Sheep NFT is Ultiverse’s inaugural NFT collection, divided into three factions: Mafia, Corporation, and Government. Hand-drawn in cyberpunk aesthetics with rich lore, it draws inspiration from sci-fi works like Dune and Fallout, paying homage to Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Electric Sheep NFT minted on July 25, 2022. It serves as the highest-tier pass to all Ultiverse products, unlocking full access along with staking, airdrops, and profit-sharing rights across products (games). Holders become Ultiverse VIPs.
2. Roadmap
(Figure 3-7 Electric Sheep NFT Roadmap)
3. NFT Utility Overview
(Figure 3-8 Official Electric Sheep NFT Benefits)
Official benefits are highly attractive, currently including:
- Airdrop of 3D avatar versions;
- Alpha access to Terminus and Endless Loop;
- 2% total token airdrop;
- Airdrop of Terminus land (players can rent out Electric Sheep NFTs and land in Terminus City).
From Ultiverse’s official $ULTC token distribution chart, early users receive a generous 8% airdrop allocation! Electric Sheep NFT holders are explicitly entitled to proportional airdrops.
(Figure 3-9 Token Rewards for Electric Sheep NFT Holders)
(Figure 3-10 $ULTC Token Distribution)
4. Soul Rewards
Beyond rich utilities, ES holders also earn SOUL rewards. SOUL will have broader applications in the Ultiverse metaverse—redeeming prizes, NFTs, whitelist spots in the Terminus store, and usage in mini-games.
According to the project’s latest announcement, players no longer need to stake Electric Sheep NFTs to earn SOUL. Each ES holder simply needs to keep the NFT in their wallet to receive SOUL rewards—no staking required! This method offers a smoother, more beneficial experience. Previous staking channels will close once "Hold-to-Earn" launches. Stakers can unstake anytime, and existing rights remain unaffected.
The high value of Electric Sheep NFT has attracted many participants, with excellent recent price performance—rising from a mint price of 0.5 ETH to 1.83 ETH.
(Figure 3-11 Electric Sheep NFT Price Trend)
IV. How to Participate in the Project?
(1) ULTC Valuation
Overall, the Ultiverse team holds grand ambitions, and the project offers immense potential, poised to lead the next wave of Web3 gaming trends.
With a token launch imminent, prestigious investors, and AI integration, it deserves close attention.
Currently, popular GameFi projects like Bigtime and GMT have market caps of approximately $2.173 billion and $1.892 billion respectively.
AI and ACE also reached market caps of $1.119 billion and $1.279 billion.
All these projects currently exceed $1 billion in market cap. As a new trendsetter in GameFi, ULTC’s future price is highly promising!
(2) Latest Activity: Electric Sheep Chip Rivalry (Token Earnings Opportunity)
The Electric Sheep Chip Rivalry event is launching soon, offering additional rewards. Besides automatically earning SOUL points, ES holders receive weekly mystery box airdrops containing random amounts of SOUL, silver chips, and gold chips.
- Gold Chips—available exclusively through mystery boxes, rarer and more valuable.
- Silver Chips—obtainable through mystery boxes or by holding NFTs.
Based on your ES tier, you can receive silver chips once (Lv*N=N).
NFT snapshot date: January 1.
Besides Electric Sheep, virtual girlfriend NFT holders can also earn chips through this event—one silver chip per n virtual girlfriends.
NFT snapshot timing has not yet been announced.
Mystery boxes can be opened at the user’s discretion.
Detailed rules: Link
(3) Highly Sought-After Ulti-Pilot (Major Benefit)
On February 19, Ultiverse announced the launch of Ulti-Pilot.
Ulti-Pilot acts as a bridge between players and micro-worlds, playing a crucial role in the Ultiverse ecosystem. Designed to create immersive, diverse gaming experiences powered by AI, it allows users to gradually shape unique avatars, eventually combining with Ultiverse to build a virtual world similar to Ready Player One. As a core component, Ulti-Pilot’s airdrop allocation already accounts for 1/8 of Ultiverse’s total airdrop pool.
Not only ambitious in vision, it also offers substantial early-user benefits. Ulti-Pilot allows users to obtain points, SOUL, and other in-game assets across the Ultiverse ecosystem at zero cost. The game is currently on testnet and requires an invitation code to access Ulti-Pilot. Enter the invite code, create your personalized AI avatar, complete daily exploration tasks, and earn fixed Pilot Points plus random SOUL rewards. SOUL earned through Ulti-Pilot interactions will convert to governance token ULTC at a 100:1 ratio, while Pilot Points will significantly influence distribution ratios and drop probabilities.
Just 15 seconds a day—start participating now!
Bonus permanent invite code with enhanced benefits: Success probability +25%, SOUL probability +25%
Permanent Invite Code: 5fFiz
GameFi sector热度 is rising. As a pioneer, Ultiverse is exploring new frontiers in AI+GameFi. The Ulti-Pilot campaign presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and $ULTC’s future valuation appears limitless. Where is the next direction for gaming? Ultiverse is writing tomorrow’s story today.
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