CoinDesk Report:
This spring, the HV-MTL NFT mechanical suits minted on Ethereum — originally created by Yuga Labs, the makers of Bored Ape Yacht Club — are set to debut in a sleek, free-to-play arena shooter game called Shatterline.
Faraway, a gaming startup closely collaborating with Yuga, acquired the Legends of HV-MTL and Mara IP in April and teased the partnership this week on Twitter (also known as X). A brief teaser showcased pixel mechs transforming into airborne 3D companions, aiding foot soldiers in first-person shooter gameplay.
Shatterline, a PC-based shooter game, has been accessible for early access since 2022 and recently announced plans to fully launch later this year, closing its early access servers on August 1st. Faraway co-founder Alex Paley told Decrypt’s GG this week that Epic Games Store is onboard.
According to Paley, Faraway has been discussing potential Web3 functionalities with Shatterline developers, Frag Lab, since 2022. However, Frag Lab aims to polish and set up the game before considering any such additions.
Speaking about early tests of Shatterline, Paley remarked, “We think it looks incredibly promising.”
Earlier this year, Faraway began discussions with Yuga Labs regarding acquiring HV-MTL and Mara IP to expand into potential broader gaming applications. Yuga co-founder and CEO Greg “Garga” Solano admitted that the Bored Ape manufacturer had become overwhelmed with too many projects and had “lost its way.”
Paley noted that collaborating with Shatterline was a factor in their decision to proceed with Yuga transactions, as Faraway believes a polished, competitive action game is poised to make a mark, with the IP running well within it. He also sees HV-MTL and Mara IP as a means to differentiate Shatterline from the crowded shooter landscape.
“This is what drove us through the tough times,” Paley said.
Paley anticipates HV-MTL integration with Shatterline by the fourth quarter of 2024. He mentioned that HV-MTL NFT owners will experience “significant power advantages” when using them as companions in player and environment exploration modes, with Shatterline offering Web3 rewards such as tradable items alongside traditional Web2 rewards.
Following its initial release, Faraway plans to integrate more HV-MTL classes and delve deeper into the Mara Legends IP, including Koda Maras, Shattered Goliaths, and other characters and creatures originally created by Yuga Labs, as teased in the trailer’s conclusion.
Paley remarked that Frag Lab could have implemented NFTs back in 2022 during the market downturn, when they initially discussed cryptocurrency integration. However, he praised the team’s focus on refining gameplay and preparing Shatterline for its broad audience debut. He suggested that the time is near.
“I just want to commend the team for their performance during the bear market,” he said, “and for waiting for the right moment.”
