XOCIETY, an advanced third-person shooter game, has successfully secured $7.5 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The funding effort was spearheaded by Hashed and the Sui Foundation, with significant contributions from notable gaming organizations such as Spartan, Neoclassic, Bigbrain Holdings, and KRAFTON.

This substantial investment follows the success of XOCIETY's beta phase, which attracted over 3,000 users from 76 countries. These users collectively logged more than 11,000 hours of gameplay, with over 77% of players staying engaged for at least a week. The game's development is led by Team NDUs, which is incorporating role-playing game (RPG) elements and a novel reward system that highlights player involvement and skill. A standout feature of XOCIETY is its in-game corporation system, where players can own shares and manage their own companies, influencing the game's economy and environment.

The founder of NDUs, Jeffry Kim, emphasized their goal of creating a sustainable engagement model for players, contrasting with the fleeting earning models seen in some Web3 games. The new investment is expected to help merge the best features of traditional gaming with the innovations offered by Web3 technology.

XOCIETY's development team includes industry veterans with extensive experience in creating engaging, commercial-grade gaming services. Notable team members include Myoungjin Lee, known for his work on the popular game Ragnarok, and Sang Chung, the former Head of PlayDapp. Their expertise is critical in crafting a high-quality, captivating game that stands out in the Web3 gaming landscape.

The CEO and Managing Partner of Hashed, Simon Kim, noted the importance of the team’s experience in developing a game that will engage players deeply. Similarly, Greg Siourounis, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation, highlighted the compatibility of XOCIETY with Sui’s capabilities. Sui’s high throughput, instant settlement speeds, and dynamic on-chain assets are expected to enhance the gaming experience significantly.

XOCIETY is positioned as a AAA game that combines player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) elements with RPG mechanics. The game is set to innovate within the Web 3.0 gaming era by focusing heavily on player experience. XOCIETY aims to transform traditional gaming by giving players economic control, turning them into significant economic actors within the game. This approach contrasts with conventional first-person shooter (FPS) games, where individual actions have limited impact on the broader game environment. In XOCIETY, player decisions create dynamic changes throughout the gameplay and environment, making each player's actions meaningful and consequential.

The game's development is driven by a vision of combining traditional gaming enjoyment with the new possibilities offered by Web3. By focusing on player retention and engagement, XOCIETY aims to create a more sustainable gaming model. The incorporation of RPG mechanics and the innovative reward system are designed to keep players invested in the game for longer periods. This approach not only enhances the gaming experience but also ensures a more robust and active player base.

The funding will also support the integration of advanced Web3 features into the game. These features will provide players with new ways to interact with the game and with each other, creating a more immersive and interactive gaming environment. The in-game corporation system is one such feature that will allow players to have a real impact on the game's economy. By owning shares and managing companies, players can influence the game world in ways that are not possible in traditional games.

In addition to enhancing the gameplay, the investment will also be used to further develop the game's technical infrastructure. This includes improving the game's graphics, increasing server capacity, and ensuring the game's stability and security. The goal is to create a game that not only offers an engaging and immersive experience but also runs smoothly and reliably.

Overall, XOCIETY’s ambitious project seeks to redefine the gaming landscape by merging traditional game mechanics with the new opportunities provided by Web3 technology. The game’s focus on player engagement, combined with the support from experienced industry veterans and substantial financial backing, positions it to make a significant impact in the gaming industry. As XOCIETY continues to develop and evolve, it aims to offer players a unique and engaging gaming experience that goes beyond what is currently available in the market.