27 August 2024 – Uprising Labs, a multichain native yield Layer 2 blockchain, built on Oasys Layer 1, secured by gaming giants such as SEGA, Square Enix, Bandai Namco, and others, today announced the web3 version of the nautical battle royale title Maelstrom. With this web3 release, the company is doubling down on Maelstrom, with plans for frequent updates on both Steam and web3-compatible game launchers.
Maelstrom is also being featured in season 9 of Ultimate End-gamers League (UEL) with a prize pool of over $1 million and up to $2,500 per match for its gamers. In cooperation with Maelstrom, UEL, Uprising Labs, and Forthright Entertainment—a leading Web2 publisher—players will have the chance to jump into the free-to-play title currently available on Steam, compete against professional e-sports players, and win in-game rewards, Uprising points, and more.
Uprising Labs CEO Eric Vander Wal described this release as a significant milestone for the company. Maelstrom has been active on platforms like Steam since September 2019, offering a rich, immersive experience where tactical naval warfare meets fantasy. With up to 16 players battling it out in intense multiplayer modes—whether it’s teams versus teams or a chaotic free-for-all—every match is a thrilling test of strategy and skill. Players can also dive into a single-player mode to sharpen their abilities and amass loot for ship upgrades. Whether you choose to captain a ship as a human, dwarf, or orc, Maelstrom offers deep customization options, allowing you to tailor your ship’s stats, weapons, and appearance to your liking.
“What’s interesting here is that a blockchain-based studio and a Layer 2 blockchain will collaborate with a Web2 gaming studio for the first time to continue to build an existing title with new in-game features, maps, updated graphics, multiplayer modes, and additional full Web3 support over the coming months leading up to our mainnet launch,” said CEO Eric Vander Wal in a statement.
Uprising Labs positions itself as the first multichain, native-yield gaming blockchain, using a combination of Oasys Layer 1 security and Avail’s new DA layer to provide economical gas fees. This multichain, native-yield mechanism allows users to earn a higher APY while maintaining liquidity. Users can stake Oasys (OAS) tokens with Layer 1 validators from companies like Sega and Ubisoft, earning a 9% APY, which is higher than Ethereum’s staking rates. Additionally, Uprising will roll out support for additional blockchain and other sources of native staking so that players can both stake and play at the same time.