In Brief:
- End of an Era: Soulbound, previously known as Worldwide Webb, is discontinuing its blockchain-based MMO, planning to shut down servers by summer’s end.
- New Beginnings: Soulbound is transitioning to a non-blockchain version named Soulbound: Online on Steam, developed by SpiderWare, with a demo coming soon and paid early access scheduled for this summer.
- Compensations for Holders: Genesis landholders and Weeb holders are awarded exclusive Founder Packs. Non-landholders will keep premium cosmetics, SoulBits balances, and selective achievements.
Transition Away from Web3
Soulbound is taking a significant turn by moving away from its web3 foundations. The game, backed by Pantera Capital and initially launched as Worldwide Webb, will see its current servers shut down, erasing all existing progression and characters later this summer. This move marks a shift from the game’s blockchain elements, as noted by the game’s developers. “We have made the decision to sunset our original vision for Worldwide Webb, and thus the current production build of Soulbound later this Summer,” the team announced.
Why the Pivot
The decision to move away from a blockchain-based system stems from specific limitations encountered with the original game. The team recognized that land-based progression created bottlenecks, stifling new player integration and overall scalability. Additionally, browser-based distribution posed issues with performance, stability, and reach. Transitioning to Steam is seen as a solution to these problems, offering more scalable distribution and a broader reach for player access. Notably, the upcoming Steam version, Soulbound: Online, makes no mention of integrating NFTs, tokens, or blockchain technologies, aligning with Steam policies against NFT-integrated games established since 2021.
A Glimpse into Soulbound: Online
The reimagined version, Soulbound: Online, promises a rich gameplay environment without blockchain integrations. According to its Steam listing, it features pixel-art graphics and offers a variety of gameplay elements including roguelike dungeon adventures, three-player co-op, clan raids, crafting, and base-building—all set in an open world plagued by entities known as The Anima. The game categorizes under several genres such as action, MMORPG, sandbox, farming sim, roguelite, and bullet hell, aiming to cater to a broad audience of gamers. With plans for a launch demo in the upcoming weeks and the official release scheduled for paid early access this summer, anticipation is building, though a specific release date has yet to be confirmed.
NFT Holder Transition
For the game’s existing NFT holders, the transition offers specific compensations. Genesis landholders and Weeb holders are set to receive exclusive Founder Packs that are tied to snapshot tiers and are described as “permanently exclusive” to eligible holders. Those without land holdings will not be left empty-handed, as they will retain access to premium cosmetics, SoulBits balances, and selected achievement rewards, although details on how these will translate into the new system remain vague.
“This chapter of the studio, and the game, is coming to an end,” the team disclosed. With Soulbound’s pivot, the developers bid farewell to the blockchain model and look forward to embracing a broader gaming landscape through Steam.