ZBD Partners with Indie Gaming Studio 1047 Games to Deliver Bitcoin Tournament Winnings

Key Points:

• Gaming technology company ZBD has partnered with indie gaming studio 1047 Games to enable bitcoin payments for players of the free-to-play competitive first-person shooter (FPS) game Splitgate.
• They will be hosting a PC-based tournament called “The ZBD x Splitgate Winter Invitational” starting on December 10, where the winning team will receive a payout of 0.5 BTC.
• The integration of bitcoin payments into a competitive FPS game like Splitgate is a notable milestone for the gaming industry, as it opens up new possibilities for incentivizing players and enhancing the gaming experience.
• By using bitcoin Lightning payments, ZBD and 1047 Games are not only providing a more efficient and secure method of delivering tournament winnings but also highlighting the potential of internet-native money in gaming.
• This partnership may inspire other gaming studios to explore similar bitcoin-based incentives for player retention and in-game performance, especially within the competitive FPS genre.

The Details:

New Jersey-based gaming technology company ZBD has teamed up with indie gaming studio 1047 Games to introduce bitcoin payments for players of the popular competitive FPS game Splitgate. Through this partnership, ZBD will be hosting “The ZBD x Splitgate Winter Invitational” tournament, where the winning team will be rewarded with a payout of 0.5 BTC, equivalent to approximately $18,000.

1047 Games’ Splitgate offers a unique mix of sci-fi elements, fast-paced gunplay, and vertical mobility using portals, creating an immersive multiplayer environment. Despite its launch in May 2019 and gaining an impressive 18 million downloads, the game’s development slowed down after 1047 Games shifted its focus to a new project. However, the integration of bitcoin payments for tournament winnings demonstrates their continuous efforts to engage and reward their player base.

ZBD is known for its gaming technology built on the Lightning Network, which enables instant and secure transactions. While ZBD has implemented bitcoin payments in over 100 games before, the integration into Splitgate highlights the potential for internet-native money within the gaming industry. The use of bitcoin Lightning payments for tournament payouts is a significant step forward, showcasing the viability of cryptocurrencies in the gaming ecosystem.

CEO Ian Proulx of 1047 Games expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re always excited to hear innovative solutions to reward our players, such as what ZBD has done, and the tournament that they plan to hold later this month.” This collaboration not only provides Splitgate players an opportunity to compete for bitcoin winnings but also raises awareness among other gaming studios in the competitive FPS genre about the benefits of integrating internet-native money into their games.

While Lightning payments are not yet widely adopted in the gaming industry, ZBD’s venture into the competitive FPS arena with Splitgate could serve as a catalyst for further exploration of integrating cryptocurrencies into the gaming experience. The digitally-native nature of gamers, combined with the appeal of internet-native money, suggests that more studios may follow suit in the future.

To participate in the ZBD Splitgate tournament and have a chance at winning some bitcoin, interested players can register on ZBD’s website.

Our Hot Take:

The partnership between ZBD and 1047 Games to deliver tournament winnings in bitcoin for Splitgate players is a groundbreaking development in the gaming industry. By integrating bitcoin payments into a competitive FPS game, both companies are paving the way for other gaming studios to explore similar incentives and tap into the potential of internet-native money. This collaboration not only enhances player engagement but also highlights the benefits of cryptocurrencies in the gaming ecosystem. As cryptocurrencies continue to gain mainstream adoption, we expect to see more gaming studios embrace this innovative approach, providing gamers with new opportunities and further blurring the boundaries between virtual and real-world economies.