Gunzilla Games has announced a significant $30 million in combined funding, marking a major milestone in the evolution of blockchain-powered AAA gaming. The capital injection includes a $10 million strategic token round co-led by CoinFund and Avalanche’s Blizzard Fund, with additional participation from Republic Capital and Morningstar Ventures. This round also incorporates previously undisclosed equity investments 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 funding underscores growing confidence in the convergence of high-quality game development and decentralized technology. As the gaming industry continues its shift toward player ownership and transparent economies, Gunzilla is positioning itself at the forefront with a vision that blends cinematic storytelling, competitive gameplay, and true digital asset ownership.
Introducing GUNZ: A Blockchain Platform for AAA Game Economies
At the heart of Gunzilla’s innovation is GUNZ, a blockchain-based digital economy platform designed not only for Off The Grid but for third-party AAA developers as well. Launched as a testnet in April 2023, GUNZ operates as an Avalanche Subnet, optimized for high-speed transactions and seamless in-game interactions. By leveraging its native token, GUNZ minimizes gas fees and ensures verifiable transparency—critical features for both players and developers.
👉 Discover how next-gen gaming economies are being built on scalable blockchain infrastructure.
What sets GUNZ apart is its full suite of developer tools. The GUNZ SDK allows other studios to integrate white-label components such as companion mobile apps, NFT minting engines, and on-chain marketplaces directly into their games. This opens the door for a new wave of blockchain-enhanced titles that maintain mainstream accessibility while offering players real ownership of in-game assets.
With several third-party developers already in discussions to build on the platform, GUNZ is rapidly evolving into a foundational layer for the future of decentralized gaming ecosystems.
Off The Grid: Redefining the Battle Royale Genre
Set for release across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, Off The Grid is poised to transform the battle royale experience. More than just another shooter, it introduces a revolutionary concept: complete player ownership of in-game items through NFTs, all managed via the GUNZ blockchain. These assets can be traded, sold, or collected on an integrated marketplace—giving players unprecedented control over their digital inventories.
The game also features a deeply immersive narrative crafted under the creative direction of Neil Blomkamp, Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind District 9, Elysium, and Gran Turismo. Spanning an estimated 60 hours across multiple seasons, the story evolves alongside gameplay, creating a living world that responds to player actions and community outcomes.
In a bold move to showcase the game’s depth, Gunzilla released a 16-minute gameplay walkthrough trailer featuring top-tier streamers Dr Disrespect, Clix, and ImperialHal. The trailer highlights dynamic combat mechanics, progression systems, and the seamless integration of blockchain elements—all without disrupting the core gaming experience.
Bridging Traditional and Web3 Gaming
One of the biggest challenges in blockchain gaming has been accessibility. Many Web3 titles alienate mainstream audiences with complex wallet setups, confusing tokenomics, and intrusive NFT mechanics. Off The Grid tackles this head-on by embedding blockchain functionality beneath the surface.
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 approach could be pivotal in driving mass adoption. By making blockchain features invisible to the average player while still delivering tangible benefits—like asset ownership and cross-platform trading—Gunzilla is creating a bridge between traditional gaming and the decentralized future.
👉 See how seamless blockchain integration is reshaping player experiences in modern games.
Market Momentum: Why Now Is the Time for Blockchain Gaming
The timing of this funding round aligns with strong macro trends in the gaming and blockchain sectors. According to Footprint Analytics, GameFi Daily Active Addresses surged by approximately 250% year-over-year between March 2023 and March 2024. Meanwhile, 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 blockchain gaming forward.
Additionally, the battle royale genre remains one of the most popular in gaming, boasting over 700 million players worldwide. By entering this space with a AAA-quality title backed by blockchain innovation, Gunzilla is tapping into a massive, engaged audience ready for new experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is GUNZ?
A: GUNZ is Gunzilla Games’ custom Avalanche Subnet designed to power blockchain-based in-game economies. It enables fast transactions, low gas fees, and full player ownership of digital assets through NFTs.
Q: Can I play Off The Grid without knowing about crypto?
A: Yes. Off The Grid integrates blockchain features seamlessly into gameplay, so players don’t need prior knowledge of wallets or tokens to enjoy the game.
Q: Will other games use the GUNZ platform?
A: Absolutely. Gunzilla offers a full SDK and white-label tools for third-party developers to build their own games on GUNZ, including marketplaces, companion apps, and NFT systems.
Q: How does blockchain improve the gaming experience?
A: Blockchain enables true ownership of in-game items, secure peer-to-peer trading, verifiable scarcity, and potential cross-game interoperability—benefits traditional games often lack.
Q: Is GUNZ available on mobile?
A: Yes. GUNZ includes native support for mobile companion apps, allowing players to manage assets, trade items, and interact with the ecosystem on the go.
Q: What role does Avalanche play in this ecosystem?
A: GUNZ runs as an Avalanche Subnet, leveraging Avalanche’s high throughput, low latency, and eco-friendly consensus mechanism to support real-time gameplay and scalable transactions.
A New Era of Player Empowerment
With this $30 million funding round, Gunzilla Games isn’t just launching a game—it’s launching an ecosystem. By combining cinematic storytelling with decentralized technology, the studio is redefining what players can expect from AAA titles. From full asset ownership to community-driven economies, Off The Grid represents a paradigm shift in interactive entertainment.
Evan Feng, Partner and Director of Research at CoinFund, emphasized the broader implications:
“We believe the gap between traditional and on-chain games is rapidly closing… Off The Grid delivers simply better experiences that unlock greater audiences, retention, and monetization.”
As the line between physical and digital ownership continues to blur, platforms like GUNZ offer a glimpse into a future where players aren’t just consumers—they’re stakeholders.
👉 Explore how next-generation platforms are empowering players with true digital ownership.
This latest investment follows Gunzilla’s earlier $46 million raise in August 2022, bringing total disclosed funding to $76 million. With a world-class creative team, robust technical infrastructure, and strong backing from leading Web3 investors, Gunzilla Games is well-positioned to lead the next evolution of gaming—one where innovation meets inclusivity, and players truly own their experience.