Ubisoft, a prominent player in the gaming industry, has officially entered the blockchain arena with the release of its first blockchain-based game, Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles. This new title introduces a tactical, turn-based experience incorporating NFTs (non-fungible tokens) as key in-game assets. Initially announced by the company in June, Champions Tactics represents a significant development following Ubisoft’s ongoing blockchain experimentation, yet the release itself was relatively low-profile. Available for PC, the game is free to start, though players have the option to purchase NFT figurines—digital assets with unique attributes—using either in-game currency or cryptocurrency on an integrated marketplace. The game showcases Ubisoft’s approach to combining collectible digital items with innovative gameplay.
The gameplay model in Champions Tactics focuses on turn-based battles where players face off using teams of three figurines, each with distinct characteristics. While it’s possible to participate in the game without purchasing any of these NFTs, the option is available to those willing to invest in them, with prices for these unique figurines varying widely on the marketplace from $7 to as high as $64,000. These collectible NFTs provide a significant advantage in gameplay, allowing for deeper engagement and competition among players.
Ubisoft’s Strategic Innovation Lab collaborated with Oasys to design Champions Tactics with a focus on integrating blockchain in a way that enhances the gaming experience. According to Ubisoft’s Paris studio director, François Bodson, the game introduces innovative features that mirror traditional trading card games but with unique digital assets under player control. The blockchain foundation, he added, was used to create “new and innovative” gaming experiences, providing players with enhanced agency and ownership over their assets. Each NFT figurine, procedurally generated and unique in its attributes, provides strategic depth and flexibility as players can shape their assets and teams through player-driven choices. The design includes an open marketplace for players to build squads using a peer-to-peer model.
During the game’s development, Ubisoft actively sought community feedback through events and beta phases, ensuring that player insights contributed to the evolution of Champions Tactics. Ubisoft intends to continue refining and expanding the game based on community engagement, as the game’s blockchain-enabled infrastructure allows for adaptability and growth. While the Adult Only rating for the game wasn’t addressed directly by Ubisoft, it is likely tied to the game’s use of blockchain elements and cryptocurrency-based transactions.
In addition to its blockchain debut, Ubisoft previously ventured into the NFT space with Quartz, a dedicated NFT platform launched in December 2021. Initially, this project involved NFT offerings for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, but it encountered limited success, with only a small number of NFTs sold. Despite these early challenges, Ubisoft executives maintained that the potential for player-driven value in blockchain assets held promise, even though initial reception was lukewarm. Ubisoft’s dedication to blockchain persisted despite these setbacks and contrasts with the more cautious or skeptical stance other industry players have adopted toward cryptocurrency in gaming.
Within the broader gaming landscape, there has been a noticeable shift in blockchain enthusiasm. Even Electronic Arts (EA), which once expressed interest in NFTs as an essential part of gaming’s future, has since stepped back, adopting a wait-and-see approach. EA’s CEO Andrew Wilson had previously highlighted the enduring appeal of collectible items in gaming, though he emphasized that NFT integration was not an immediate focus for the company. He suggested that NFT integration would only be explored further if it aligned with EA’s core mission of enhancing player experiences.
Ubisoft’s release of Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles therefore stands out in the industry, as other major companies scale back on blockchain plans amid uncertain player reception. In choosing to launch Champions Tactics, Ubisoft reinforces its commitment to blockchain exploration, placing a long-term bet on digital collectibles and player-controlled assets as part of its strategy. With this title, Ubisoft aims to carve a space in the emerging field of blockchain gaming, leveraging NFTs to create unique gameplay opportunities and a player-driven economy. Whether this approach will resonate with the broader gaming community remains to be seen, but Champions Tactics marks a notable moment in Ubisoft’s digital innovation journey.
