Star Atlas, the Solana blockchain-based metaverse project developed by ATMTA, has continued to captivate the Web3 gaming community with fresh gameplay updates and development milestones. The game, which has been in development since 2020, has become a flagship example of a project committed to transparency, drawing strong support from those advocating for Web3 initiatives that prioritize open development processes.
The title has garnered a loyal fanbase, largely thanks to its use of Unreal Engine 5 to produce a high-fidelity showroom experience, alongside SAGE, its browser-based, on-chain strategy component. The latest gameplay teasers have further strengthened its reputation, suggesting that the final product could rival mainstream AAA titles—an ambitious feat seldom achieved within the blockchain gaming space.
Significant Mid-Year Update on the Horizon
On May 14, developers rolled out a new patch that introduced notable features such as enhanced artificial intelligence for enemy bots, dedicated servers for larger multiplayer gunplay lobbies, and improvements to multiplayer hosting systems. This update forms part of a monthly release cycle, which is now on a short pause as the development team prepares for a major mid-year update. This forthcoming release is expected to include a matchmaking system for gunplay as well as the initial implementation of a game-wide progression framework.
Among the most notable upgrades in the latest patch were improvements to co-operative dogfighting mechanics, multiplayer racing, and the in-game mining minigame. A new spacecraft, the Pearce X5, was also introduced. These changes reflect a deliberate effort to enhance the gameplay experience while maintaining consistent progress toward the game’s full-scale release.
The complete AAA version of Star Atlas is currently slated for release by the end of the year, marking the culmination of a five-year development cycle. Preview footage released by ATMTA highlighted sophisticated space flight physics and highly detailed spacecraft models. While the full game remains under development, players can already explore a space flight mode and a third-person shooter demo.
Posting an in-game Star Atlas ship every day! 🚀
Day 8: Ride in space in style, ride in space in luxury, ride in space on the Ogrika Niruch.pic.twitter.com/L81RVDf8kk
— Star Atlas (@staratlas) May 8, 2025
Setting a New Standard in Blockchain Gaming
In an industry often characterized by simplistic mechanics—as seen in early hits like Axie Infinity or mini-games such as Hamster Kombat—Star Atlas represents a significant technological leap. By integrating NFTs to provide verifiable ownership of in-game assets and leveraging $ATLAS and $POLIS tokens to drive its virtual economy, the project aims to bridge the divide between traditional AAA gaming experiences and the decentralized ethos of Web3.
It's awesome to see that one of the crypto gaming OGs is still building
Every gameplay video @staratlas drops looks amazing
It takes time to build a good game
The difference between web2 and web3 games in this regard is that web2 games build behind the scenes and web3 games… pic.twitter.com/PsBUwMgjUu— Inspector⚡ (@InspectorMNBL) May 11, 2025
Observers within the Web3 content creation space have pointed to Star Atlas as an example of the transparent development model that distinguishes blockchain-based games from their conventional counterparts. It was noted that unlike traditional developers who often operate behind closed doors, Web3 teams frequently share their challenges, milestones, and setbacks in real-time, giving the community a front-row seat to the development journey.
To discuss this in full transparency, please join us in a Town Hall today at 5pm EST on https://t.co/mCa6L6xBZj. pic.twitter.com/XnNuSdEaNG
— SW4GN3R, CFA (@at_mwagner) November 11, 2022
Overcoming Major Setbacks
Despite its recent strides, the path to Star Atlas’ current state has not been without obstacles. A major blow occurred in 2022 with the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, on which ATMTA reportedly held a significant portion of its treasury. The event resulted in the company losing access to roughly half of its available funds. At the time, the development studio had to acknowledge a drastically shortened financial runway, which led to severe operational cutbacks including the termination of more than 70% of its workforce and a restructuring of its development timeline.
Nevertheless, the project has managed to maintain momentum, bolstered by a community eager to witness the emergence of a fully realized, blockchain-integrated AAA game. As anticipation continues to build, Star Atlas stands as a potential pioneer in pushing the boundaries of what Web3 gaming can achieve, both technically and economically.