Web3 Game RIFTSTORM Ranks First in Steam’s  ‘Trending Free’ Category

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. BitPinas has no commercial relationship with any mentioned entity unless otherwise stated.

📬 Get the biggest crypto stories in the Philippines and Southeast Asia every week — subscribe to the BitPinas Newsletter.

RIFTSTORM, a blockchain-enabled game that started its Alpha Demo Mode last October 16, 2024 on Steam, became the top game under the “trending free” category for the first three days since launch, developer Confiction Labs announced. 

What’s the significance: The game’s popularity exposes players to blockchain gaming despite Steam initially not allowing NFT games to be on the video game digital distribution service since 2021. 

RIFTSTORM’s Alpha Demo Mode

The current demo mode of RIFTSTORM is the game’s third alpha playtest. It will run until October 30. 

• Gameplay: During the demo mode, players will have a short three-mission campaign, five Weavers (playable characters) to choose from, and test in-game player decisions.
• The Milestone: Aside from being a top game for three consecutive days, the alpha dem mode also received a positive review score of 92.9%.
• Key Players: According to Confiction Labs, they are attributing the milestone to the combination of the game’s new features and partnerships with influencers. 
• New Features: The alpha demo mode introduced new environments, expanded mission types, and an upgraded procedural generation system.
  • To expand, the new features are larger maps with more environmental detail and organic formatting, additional in-dungeon actions and functions for greater mission variety, new playable characters named Rook and Thistle, and new materials, blueprints, and systems that allow players to breakdown and craft weapons.
• Partnerships: Confiction Labs also sponsored well-known content creators, including Pokelawls with over 1.1 million followers on Twitch.
  • This initiative increased the engagement and visibility of the game, according to the web3 game studio. 
• Rewards: Moreover, Confliction Labs said that those who will try and play the demo mode will receive exclusive rewards in the future. 

By the Numbers: Here is the distribution of RIFTSTORM’s players per region: 

• 19.95% from East Asia
• 18.79% from Southeast Asia
• 16.29% from Europe 
• 14.48% from South Americans 
• 13.07% from North America 

“This milestone highlights a major shift in gaming trends, as traditional gamers are increasingly engaging with games with web3 elements that resonate with them. The game is well on its way to establishing itself as a standout title in the evolving web3 gaming landscape.”

Confliction Labs, Developer, RIFTSTORM

What’s Next? The full commercial release of RIFTSTORM is slated for the first quarter of 2025. 

• The developer of the game assured that players can expect “more immersive features and community-driven events” in the game’s future. 

The Big Picture: Consequently, another web3-enabled game, Off The Grid, is also making waves, but this time on digital storefront Epic Game Store. 

• The battle royale game reached the top spot the Epic Game Store’s “free-to-play” category. 
• Off the Grid is also among the most downloaded games on PlayStation in October. 

“We are seeing a shift in perception about web3 gaming, where players are initially drawn to the game because of its core appeal, and they may or may not explore the web3 features that provide additional value. It’s proof that if you make an amazing game, the web3 part can be an added bonus rather than a barrier. The community response has been incredible, and it’s clear that players are not only interested in the web3 aspects of the game—they’re genuinely having fun with their friends.”

Arief Widhiyasa, Chief Executive Officer, Confiction Labs

RIFTSTORM 101

RIFTSTORM is a multiplayer co-op looter-shooter action RPG with roguelite elements.

• Storyline: Players take on the role of Mythic Protocol Weavers, elite secret operatives that need to defend the world against cosmic horrors in the Occultical universe. 
• Weavers: These secret operatives are called “Weavers,” which are in-game characters that can only be chosen once by players. Weavers are used for missions, where players can level them up through weapons. 
• Gamestyle: The game allows a team of up to three players.
  • According to the developers, the game can be played solo but it might be hard for solo players to finish in-game quests. 
  • The game is also fully online and cannot be played offline. 
• Blockchain Integration: RIFTSTORM will utilize blockchain technology as a security layer for legacy-based transactions, including tracking player progress and actions for use in consequence-based missions and other events.
  • There is no clarification yet if in-game characters and items will be minted as NFTs. 
  • There is also no clarification yet if the game will have an in-game token minted as cryptocurrency, but rewards and airdrops are assured. 
  • The current Alpha Demo mode also does not contain any blockchain element.

By the numbers: The RIFTSTROM community as of October 25, 2024

• 6,500 total Discord community. 
• 123,300 total X followers. 

Player’s Guide on How to Start Playing RIFTSTORM

• Step 1: Download the game at https://store.steampowered.com/app/3212570/RIFTSTORM_Alpha_Demo/. 
• Step 2: Complete the tutorial at the start and familiarize with the storyline. 
• Step 3: Choose a weaver. There are six unique heroes to choose from. 
• Step 4: Equip the chosen weaver with the right gear by choosing a primary and secondary weapon. 
• Step 5: Go to the middle table in HQ and choose from the list of missions.
  • Tip: Choose the mission that fits with the weaver’s combat power. 
• Step 6: Players can also join cooperative missions by either creating a new party or joining an existing one. 
• Step 7: Rank up to the leaderboard to earn prizes by completing missions and joining cooperative missions. 
• Step 8: To enhance weavers, go to the Forge Center to craft and salvage weapons. 
• Step 9: Join the special and time-sensitive events to win more rewards.
  • As of this writing, the game has an ongoing “RIFTSTORM Global Co-op Leaderboard Competition.” 
  • To join, players need to team up with fellow players to ascend the “Challenge Tower” as high as possible. The team that will reach the highest floor in the fastest time will be declared the winner. 

This article is published on BitPinas: Web3 Game RIFTSTORM Ranks First in Steam’s  ‘Trending Free’ Category

What else is happening in Crypto Philippines and beyond?