Gunzilla Games has announced a significant $30 million in combined funding, marking a pivotal moment in the convergence of AAA game development and blockchain innovation. The funding round includes a $10 million strategic token investment co-led by CoinFund and Avalanche’s Blizzard Fund, with additional participation from Republic Capital and Morningstar Ventures. This capital injection also encompasses previously unreported equity and validator sales, all aimed at accelerating the launch of Off The Grid and expanding the ecosystem around GUNZ, Gunzilla’s proprietary blockchain platform.
This latest milestone builds on Gunzilla’s prior $46 million raise in August 2022, reinforcing its position as a leading force in next-generation gaming. With strong backing from top-tier blockchain investors, the studio is poised to redefine what’s possible in player-owned economies and immersive narrative-driven gameplay.
Introducing GUNZ: A Blockchain Platform Built for AAA Gaming
At the heart of Gunzilla’s vision is GUNZ, a blockchain-based digital economy platform designed to empower both players and developers. Launched as a testnet in April 2023, GUNZ operates as a customized Avalanche Subnet, optimized for high-speed transactions and seamless in-game interactions. By leveraging its native token, GUNZ streamlines gas payments and ensures verifiable transparency for all participants—gamers and creators alike.
What sets GUNZ apart is its developer-first approach. Through a robust SDK and white-label components—including a companion mobile app, integrated marketplace, and NFT minting engine—third-party studios can build and deploy their own blockchain-powered games without starting from scratch. This opens the door for broader adoption across the AAA gaming industry, lowering entry barriers while maintaining enterprise-grade performance.
👉 Discover how blockchain is transforming gaming economies with cutting-edge platforms like GUNZ.
Off The Grid: Redefining the Battle Royale Genre
Set for release on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, Off The Grid is Gunzilla’s flagship title that merges cinematic storytelling with competitive multiplayer action. Under the creative direction of Neil Blomkamp, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind District 9 and Elysium, the game delivers a deeply immersive narrative experience projected to span over 60 hours of content across multiple evolving seasons.
Unlike traditional battle royales, Off The Grid introduces complete asset ownership through NFTs, allowing players to truly own, trade, and monetize their in-game items on an on-chain marketplace. These assets are not just cosmetic—they’re embedded into the gameplay loop, enhancing progression and personalization.
The game recently unveiled a 16-minute gameplay walkthrough featuring top-tier streamers Dr Disrespect, Clix, and ImperialHal, offering fans an unprecedented look at its dynamic mechanics, tactical depth, and rich world-building. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, signaling strong anticipation ahead of the global multi-platform launch.
Bridging Web3 and Mainstream Gaming
One of the biggest challenges in blockchain gaming has been user accessibility. Many Web3 experiences require players to manage wallets, understand gas fees, or navigate complex NFT marketplaces—barriers that alienate mainstream audiences.
Off The Grid tackles this head-on by seamlessly integrating Web3 features into the core gameplay. Players engage with blockchain-powered assets without needing to interact directly with wallets or private keys. As Lydia Chiu, SVP of Business Development at Ava Labs and head of Blizzard, noted:
“Off The Grid fully dissolves tricky Web3 elements like complex wallets and NFT acquisition into the natural gameplay, giving everyday console gamers a blockchain gaming experience without necessarily realizing they’re having one.”
This invisible integration could be the breakthrough moment that brings blockchain gaming to the masses—proving that decentralization doesn’t have to come at the cost of usability.
👉 See how next-gen games are making blockchain technology accessible to millions.
Market Momentum: Why Now Is the Time for Blockchain Gaming
The timing of Gunzilla’s funding couldn’t be more strategic. The battle royale genre now boasts over 700 million players worldwide, making it one of the most dominant forces in gaming. At the same time, blockchain gaming (GameFi) is experiencing explosive growth.
According to Footprint Analytics, there was a year-over-year increase of approximately 250% in GameFi Daily Active Addresses between March 2023 and March 2024. Furthermore, the Blockchain Gaming Alliance’s 2023 State of the Industry Report revealed that 76.2% of respondents believe in-game asset ownership is key to driving adoption in blockchain gaming.
These trends point to a growing demand for games where players have real ownership, transparency, and long-term value—exactly what Gunzilla is building with GUNZ and Off The Grid.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is GUNZ?
A: GUNZ is Gunzilla Games’ blockchain platform built on a customized Avalanche Subnet. It enables full ownership of in-game assets as NFTs, supports an on-chain marketplace, and provides tools for other developers to launch their own blockchain games.
Q: Is Off The Grid only available on PC?
A: No. Off The Grid will launch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, ensuring broad accessibility across major gaming platforms.
Q: Do I need a crypto wallet to play Off The Grid?
A: While blockchain technology powers the game’s economy, players do not need to manage wallets or private keys directly. The Web3 elements are integrated seamlessly into gameplay.
Q: Can other game studios use GUNZ?
A: Yes. Gunzilla offers an SDK and white-label components—such as the marketplace, companion app, and NFT engine—enabling third-party developers to build on the GUNZ platform.
Q: What role does Avalanche play in this ecosystem?
A: GUNZ runs as an Avalanche Subnet, benefiting from high throughput, low latency, and low transaction costs. Avalanche’s Blizzard Fund also co-led the funding round, underscoring its commitment to gaming innovation.
Q: How does Off The Grid differ from other battle royale games?
A: Beyond its cinematic narrative led by Neil Blomkamp, Off The Grid introduces true digital ownership via NFTs, a player-driven economy, and cross-platform availability—all powered by an invisible yet powerful blockchain layer.
The Future of Player Ownership in Gaming
Gunzilla isn’t just launching a game—they’re launching an ecosystem. With Off The Grid, they aim to prove that AAA-quality storytelling and competitive gameplay can coexist with decentralized ownership. And with GUNZ, they’re laying the foundation for a future where any developer can tap into blockchain benefits without sacrificing performance or accessibility.
As Evan Feng of CoinFund stated:
“We believe the gap between traditional and on-chain games is rapidly closing… Off The Grid unlocks greater audiences, retention, and monetization through better experiences powered by blockchain.”
This vision aligns perfectly with the evolving expectations of modern gamers—who increasingly demand transparency, ownership, and meaningful engagement beyond mere entertainment.
👉 Explore how new gaming platforms are empowering players with true digital ownership.
With strong financial backing, a proven creative team, and a scalable blockchain infrastructure, Gunzilla Games is well-positioned to lead the next wave of innovation in interactive entertainment. As Off The Grid approaches its global release, all eyes will be on whether it can deliver not just a great game—but a new standard for what games can become.