Gaming Giant Ubisoft Expands in Web3, Joins Cronos as a Blockchain Validator
The Assassin's Creed publisher doubles down on Web3 gaming by joining the Cronos ecosystem as a node validator, further exploring the potential of Web3.
Ubisoft doubles down on Web3 offerings
Following the reveal of its first blockchain title, Ubisoft has a new game-changing partnership with Cronos, the leading EVM-compatible layer 1 blockchain network developed by Crypto.com.
The Assassin's Creed publisher will join the Cronos ecosystem as a node validator, further exploring the potential of blockchain tech through its Strategic Innovation Lab. Ubisoft will join a group of 27 other node operators, including Crypto.com and Blockdaemon, to contribute to the stability and security of the Cronos network. With that, the company will contribute to the governance of the blockchain and the approval of network updates. Cronos' ecosystem will also benefit from Ubisoft's Strategic Innovation Lab in terms of obtaining feedback on tech upgrades to serve gaming use cases.
The collaboration builds on both parties' pre-existing relationship, with Ubisoft previously joining the Cronos Accelerator program as a start-up mentor. Commenting on the partnership, Ken Timsit, Managing Director of Cronos Labs, a Web3 startup accelerator focused on DeFi, blockchain games, and the development of Cronos' ecosystem, said:
"I have crossed paths with the Ubisoft team many times over the years in the blockchain ecosystem. They have unparalleled understanding of the potential and the limitations of blockchain technology when it comes to creating deeper engagement between game creators and gamers. Their involvement in the exploration of the technology is reflected in their decision to participate in the open-source Cronos project as a validator. We look forward to leveraging their enthusiasm for blockchain technology and being challenged by their team as we progress on the technical and ecosystem roadmap of the Cronos chain."
In December 2021, Ubisoft experimented with NFTs by launching Tezos-based collectibles for Ghost Recon Breakpoint. The same year, the gaming giant invested in Animoca Brands, gaining access to a host of premier NFT projects, with both companies later teamed up in 2022, bringing the Rabbids to the metaverse.
In May 2023, Ubisoft joined forces with Integral Reality Labs to develop Assassin's Creed Smart Collectibles, a series of NFT passes combined with physical collectibles based on the famous historical action franchise. The firm later introduced the same Rabbids characters as NFTs on Reddit, selling 149.5k of virtual rabbits. This month, Ubisoft unveiled its first blockchain title, Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles, despite disapproving voices from mainstream gamers.
Meanwhile, Cronos has been supporting the development of blockchain gaming via Cronos Play, a suite of developer tools and integrations to streamline the creation of Web3 games. More than 15 NFT games have debuted or are in the process of launching on Cronos.
