nWay, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, has unveiled the beta version of Cosmic Bomber, a casual multiplayer action game that merges the classic Bomberman gameplay with WEB3 technology. This new release is part of the Mocaverse’s social gamification hub, Cosmic Club. Available exclusively to the 1.79 million Moca ID holders, the game aims to enhance user engagement within the WEB3 ecosystem.
Gameplay and Features
Cosmic Bomber is designed as an action-maze game where players strategically place explosive magic balloons to outsmart and eliminate rival teams. As players navigate through diverse blocks, they must avoid splash-damage and being tagged by opponents. Destroying blocks unlocks special items that boost the player’s path to victory. The game emphasizes real-time multiplayer competition, digital ownership of unique characters, and an innovative hybrid economy allowing players to earn, spend, and sell sustainably.
Development and Leadersh
The development of Cosmic Bomber is attributed to nWay, renowned for its action and fighting games. The company’s recent projects include the mech-fighting game Wreck League, which combines elements of WEB2 and WEB3 gaming. Following the departure of nWay’s founder Taehoon Kim, co-CEOs Kristen Salvatore and Steve Kuroki have taken the helm. Salvatore, previously the marketing head, and Kuroki, the creative lead, decided to run the company together, bringing complementary skills to the leadership team.
Strategic Shift to Casual Gaming
Salvatore explained that while Wreck League targeted a more hardcore gaming audience, Cosmic Bomber is designed for a casual crowd. The team learned valuable lessons from Wreck League, noting that WEB3 gamers may prefer engaging, quick-play experiences over complex, skill-intensive games. This insight influenced the development of Cosmic Bomber, which aims to cater to the preferences of the WEB3 gaming community.
Cosmic Bomber has been in development for less than a year, reflecting nWay’s recognition that casual gameplay may be more appealing to WEB3 players at present. The game offers real-time player-versus-player (PvP) competitions, digital ownership of characters, and a hybrid economy. Players can compete on leaderboards for rewards and engage in on-chain play, making the gaming experience both fun and rewarding.
Monetization and Future Plans
Cosmic Bomber is free to play and will monetize through a season pass and tokens that represent opportunities for players to participate in the game’s economy. The emphasis is on creating enjoyable experiences for players. Future plans include expanding the game to iOS and Android platforms, adhering to WEB3 rules. Leveraging nWay’s experience in multiplayer games, Cosmic Bomber will run on dynamic seasons introducing new IPs, characters, and maps, ensuring the game remains fresh and engaging.
Partnership with Mocaverse
nWay has partnered with Mocaverse, a WEB3-friendly consumer network with an interoperable infrastructure layer. Mocaverse will present Cosmic Bomber Season 1 within its Cosmic Club social gaming hub, creating a cross-ecosystem platform that enhances user onboarding and growth. This partnership aims to foster social interaction among WEB3 communities through PvP elements. Moca ID holders can earn Realm Points (RP), the loyalty points of Moca ID, by playing and competing in Cosmic Bomber. These points can be used to enroll in special tournaments and climb the leaderboards for additional rewards.
Broader Ecosystem and Accessibility
Cosmic Bomber is part of Project Wonder, an ecosystem nWay is building to bring different types of games into the same community. The game’s simple yet satisfying gameplay involves laying down bubbles to trap and eliminate other bombers in quick, intense matches. Players can compete in two versus two or free-for-all with four players.
Kenneth Shek, project lead for Mocaverse, expressed excitement about partnering with nWay to launch the beta of Cosmic Bomber, highlighting the blend of classic arcade action with modern innovations. Steve Kuroki, co-CEO of nWay, emphasized that the game aims to be familiar and enjoyable, offering strategic casual-style gameplay with a playful aesthetic.
Legacy and Recognition
nWay’s team comprises experienced developers and executives from leading technology companies, including Google, Tencent, Sony, Electronic Arts, and Blizzard. Acquired by Animoca Brands in 2019, nWay has developed multiple triple-A games on mobile and console, such as Wreck League and Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid. The company was recently ranked among the top 50 blockchain companies of 2024 by BlockchainGamer.biz.
The beta of Cosmic Bomber is now available to Moca ID holders at cosmicbomber.xyz. After the beta, the full game will be accessible to all players for free, regardless of NFT or token ownership. Players have the option to purchase in-game items to enhance their experience. Moca IDs can be claimed for free at mocaverse.xyz/moca-id with a Moca NFT or an invite code from the Mocaverse community.