Ultra Games, spearheaded by CEO Nicolas Gilot, has emerged as a formidable new player in the arena of PC game distribution, taking a bold stance by incorporating blockchain technology, which could potentially shake up Steam’s longstanding dominance. In a conversation with Tech Path, Gilot discussed Ultra's ambitious plans and how Steam's aversion to blockchain might work in their favor.
Gilot shared that the foundation of Ultra’s strategy is to build a gaming environment that is both fairer and more immersive. Although he noted the significant hurdle presented by Steam's market lead, he was optimistic about the distinct advantages that Ultra offers. By leveraging blockchain's capabilities, Ultra aims to enable both gamers and game creators more control and autonomy.
Ultra’s platform offers gamers genuine ownership through tokenized games and assets, granting them the liberty to trade their digital possessions openly. This approach paves the way for innovative economic models that allow players to earn from their gaming activities, challenging traditional monetization practices.
For game developers, Ultra presents an expanded audience reach and the opportunity for new sources of income through resales of digital items. Gilot emphasized the importance of a frictionless user experience, highlighting that Ultra’s blockchain marketplace is designed to avoid the complexity and extra costs that often deter gamers from exploring blockchain-based platforms.
Moving beyond just game sales, Ultra is developing its marketplace to enable the trading of in-game assets across various games, which could potentially dismantle the existing barriers between different gaming ecosystems. Furthermore, Ultra Arena is set to offer a competitive gaming platform with the lure of tokenized rewards and tangible goods like gaming chairs to keep players engaged.
With audacious plans on its horizon, Ultra Games is not limiting itself to desktop gaming; it has ambitions to venture into the mobile gaming sphere, posing a challenge to giants like Google and Apple. The introduction of SocialFi elements is intended to bolster community interactions and foster a thriving environment for gamers. While ventures into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are still forthcoming, Ultra Games is acutely aware of the burgeoning potential these technologies hold.
The prospect of Ultra Games unseating Steam as the pinnacle of PC game distribution is uncertain. However, Ultra's commitment to utilizing blockchain innovations and prioritizing the user experience solidifies its position as a notable contender in shaping the future of game distribution. The battle in the PC game market is set to intensify, making the landscape much more dynamic.
