Moonray Studios: A Monumental Step for Blockchain Gaming as It Expands to Consoles
In the world of gaming, the integration of blockchain technology has brought about a revolutionary shift. Moonray Studios, a developer at the forefront of the Web3 gaming space, is set to make waves with its flagship title, Moonray. The game, which initially debuted on PC via the Epic Games Store in July 2024, is now preparing for a significant expansion. By the end of this year, Moonray will be available on both the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, marking a pivotal moment in the gaming industry and blockchain technology.
Blockchain and Gaming: A New Era
The concept of blockchain gaming has garnered attention in recent years due to its potential to reshape how games are developed, played, and monetized. In blockchain-based games, players have true ownership of in-game assets such as skins, weapons, characters, and even virtual real estate, all of which are secured on the blockchain. This ensures that players can trade or sell these assets, potentially earning real-world value.
Moonray Studios has embraced this technology with its flagship title, Moonray, a fast-paced, multiplayer battle game set in a colorful, posthuman world. The game combines traditional gameplay mechanics with blockchain elements, offering players not only an exciting gaming experience but also the opportunity to earn rewards through their participation.
The Journey of Moonray
The Moonray project, which began in 2021, has made significant progress, with the game already available on PC via the Epic Games Store since July 1, 2024. Since its release, Moonray has quickly gained traction, attracting over 400,000 unique wallets attached to its ecosystem. This growing user base has demonstrated the strong demand for blockchain-based games and highlights the potential of Moonray as one of the leading titles in the Web3 gaming space.
The game’s expansion to consoles marks a monumental step for Moonray and the Web3 gaming sector as a whole. By launching on the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, Moonray will be among the first blockchain-based games to make its way to mainstream consoles. This move will significantly increase the game’s visibility and accessibility, allowing it to reach a much larger audience than it would have on PC alone.
Hans Andersson, co-founder of Moonray Studios, shared his excitement about this expansion, stating, “We’re off to show the world how far we can go with gaming, and that’s just the beginning. As one of the first Web3 games to launch on consoles, this is a monumental step for us and will elevate the quality of our project.”
A Growing Ecosystem
In addition to its impressive growth on PC, Moonray Studios has been actively expanding its ecosystem. The studio recently announced that it is working on a mobile version of the game, which will allow players to engage in the action on the go. This move signals the studio’s commitment to making Moonray as accessible as possible, ensuring that players can enjoy the game across multiple platforms.
The development of Moonray is not limited to just the game itself. The studio has also ventured into other creative outlets, including the release of a graphic novel titled “Mother Skin” and a follow-up novel called “Echoes of Ascens.” These novels are available in over 4,000 stores across North America and the UK, demonstrating the studio’s efforts to build a diverse media presence around the Moonray universe.
Blockchain and NFTs in Moonray
A key component of Moonray’s success lies in its integration of blockchain technology and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). The game features a wide range of in-game assets that players can collect, use, and trade. These assets are tokenized as NFTs, giving players true ownership over their digital items. This allows players to earn rewards in the form of in-game items, which can later be sold or traded in the real world.
The game has also seen success with its NFT drops, with the release of more than 220,000 exclusive characters on OpenSea within just 48 hours. This success not only highlights the growing interest in blockchain games but also demonstrates the ability of Moonray to attract both traditional gamers and the broader Web3 community. The NFT marketplace has been instrumental in bringing blockchain-based games to a wider audience, with Moonray being a key player in this space.
Expanding the Ecosystem with Tokens
The ecosystem of Moonray is powered by its own ERC-20 token called MNRY. This token is essential for transactions within the game’s economy, and it is used to purchase in-game items, participate in events, and engage with the broader community. In 2024, the MNRY token was launched on several centralized exchanges, including Bybit, KuCoin, Gate.io, and MEXC. This move made it easier for players to acquire the token and participate in the Moonray ecosystem.
The addition of the MNRY token to these exchanges also helped raise significant funds for the studio, which had already raised more than $10 million in financing by 2024. These funds have been crucial in supporting the studio’s expansion efforts, including the development of the mobile version of Moonray and the push for console releases.
Gameplay Features and Modes
At its core, Moonray is an action-packed, multiplayer game that offers various modes for players to enjoy. The game includes classic modes such as 4v4, 8-man deathmatch, and team objectives, along with 1v1 duels where players can test their skills against each other in a battle for dominance. Players can compete in intense melee combat, strategize with teammates, and earn rewards based on their performance.
The colorful and vibrant world of Moonray is set in a posthuman landscape, providing players with an immersive and unique environment to explore. The game’s art style and gameplay mechanics make it stand out in the Web3 gaming space, offering a refreshing take on traditional multiplayer combat games.
Looking Ahead: Playtests and Console Launch
As Moonray prepares for its debut on consoles, the team is gearing up for playtests on both the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5. These playtests will allow the studio to fine-tune the game and ensure that it meets the high standards expected by console players. Moonray Studios has confirmed that these playtests will take place in the second half of 2025, with more details set to be released soon.
The release of Moonray on consoles will mark a significant milestone for the studio, as it becomes one of the first blockchain-based games to launch on major gaming platforms. This move will help solidify the legitimacy of blockchain games in the eyes of traditional gamers and bring a new wave of players into the Web3 space.
Conclusion: The Future of Moonray and Blockchain Gaming
Moonray Studios is at the forefront of a new era in gaming, where blockchain technology and traditional gaming meet. With the upcoming releases on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, Moonray is poised to bring blockchain gaming to a wider audience. As the studio continues to expand its ecosystem with mobile versions, NFT drops, and token integration, Moonray is set to become a major player in the rapidly growing Web3 gaming market.
The success of Moonray demonstrates the potential of blockchain technology to transform the gaming industry, offering players true ownership of their digital assets and creating new opportunities for earning rewards. As more games adopt blockchain technology, the future of gaming looks set to be shaped by the innovations of Moonray Studios and other developers pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital world.
