GUNZ (GUN): Optional NFT Ownership in Off The Grid’s Cyberpunk World
The web3 GameFi space is filled with diverse games that apply different mechanics and gameplay through blockchain technology. With most of these games, you get to play, earn and keep your assets.
But what if you just wanted to play for fun and not earn assets? This is the approach taken by the popular gaming platform GUNZ, whereby players can opt out of the non-fungible token (NFT) aspect of gaming. In short, you can choose simply to stick with the non-crypto aspect of the Off The Grid (OTG) game — or opt to engage in the NFT aspect of gaming.
Let’s look deeper into the GUNZ platform and the way its unique optional NFT ownership can be a catalyst for the next wave in blockchain gaming.
Key Takeaways:
GUNZ is an Avalanche-based gaming platform on which players can play and trade in-game assets as NFTs, and developers can launch gaming tokens and customize gaming projects.
GUNZ is behind the Off The Grid game, a version of Battle Royale that features more advanced technology and mechanics.
GUNZ’s official token, GUN, is built for both the GUNZ ecosystem and in-game uses. GUN can be bought on Bybit as a USDT Perpetual contract.
What is GUNZ?
GUNZ is a blockchain-based gaming platform that provides a user-friendly ecosystem for developers to create games, and for players to engage in various games without gameplay limitations while trading gaming assets. Powered by Gunzilla Games, GUNZ is designed by gaming developers to allow a simple, flexible and rewarding gaming experience.
GUNZ is designed with developers in mind. They can conveniently launch games via the GUNZ platform, which provides them with innovative industry tools to integrate and deploy games. Gaming developers can use GUNZ’s minting engine API to create tokens and NFTs, and can trade or create their own NFT marketplace, offer users a mobile app or integrate a wallet without incurring transaction costs.
GUNZ features two games: TECHNOCORE, the first game launched on GUNZ, and Off The Grid, the core game on the GUNZ platform. In both games, players can opt to mint the boxes they loot into NFT assets, which they can then use in the games or trade in NFT marketplaces.
Additional features of the GUNZ platform include an NFT marketplace, a custom-made blockchain scanner and a companion mobile app to access assets safely and securely.
GUNZ's currency is GUN, which is used as both the GUNZ ecosystem utility token and as an in-game token.
GUNZ blockchain
The GUNZ platform runs on the GUNZ blockchain, an Ethereum virtual machine (EVM)–compliant Layer 1 custom blockchain purpose-built for AAA web3 games. GUNZ operates as an Avalanche (AVAX) blockchain subnet, allowing it to achieve high throughput and low latency. By running on Avalanche, the GUNZ gaming ecosystem can connect with other EVM blockchains via cross-chain bridges, while scaling independently using dedicated validators on its mainnet.
The GUNZ platform is secured by two types of Validators: hardware validators and software nodes represented by Validor NFTs.
Hardware validators help to secure the GUNZ blockchain by verifying transactions and maintaining consensus. To be a hardware validator, you need to own a powerful server with a minimum of 16 CPUs, 16 GB of RAM and 4 TB of SSD storage in order to cater to the high-performance demands of the GUNZ gaming blockchain. You also need to stake AVAX to the Avalanche main chain to start participating in the GUNZ blockchain.
Validator NFT owners help to decode and mint in-game assets in Off The Grid, and receive a portion of the GUNZ fees that players pay for minting the items. Validators also earn 1–5% resale commissions when their minted items are traded in the GUNZ NFT marketplace, depending upon the rarity of the in-game assets.
To become a software validator in the GUNZ blockchain, you’ll need to lock a specific amount of GUN tokens to receive a Validator NFT, which varies according to the Validator NFT level (five levels in total). Higher-level Validator NFTs with corresponding higher hashpower are more likely to be selected for decoding. There are 10,000 Validator NFTs available, ensuring the blockchain remains decentralized.
Source: gunbygunz.com
What is Off The Grid?
Off The Grid (OTG) is a battle royale 2.0 free-to-play AAA game developed by Gunzilla in which players immerse themselves in cyberpunk battles. The unique thing about OTG is its optional NFT element: players can either opt out of receiving NFTs in the game, or choose to convert their assets into NFTs if they wish. The game is available for play as an early access launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Vlad Korolev, CEO of Gunzilla Games and co-founder of the project, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the OTG game, which he believes expands the horizons for AAA games by providing an innovative approach to web3 gaming. OTG has been under development for over four years, building on the foundation of battle royale and pushing the boundaries by integrating new technology with more advanced mechanics.
OTG runs on Avalanche’s subnet, GUNZ blockchain, which allows the game to deliver high performance and scalability.
Off The Grid’s Popularity
In October 2024, Off The Grid achieved significant milestones. On Oct 13, OTG recorded over 3 million transactions on the Avalanche blockchain and was ranked the number 1 free-to-play game on Epic Games' store, surpassing popular titles such as Fortnite and Genshin Impact.
The game has also gained growing visibility through its viewership on streaming platform Twitch. A partnership with Twitch streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins — who has skin in the game — has further propelled this game’s popularity. On Oct 13, 2024, OTG was also recognized as one of Twitch's top three most viewed games, with 156,000 concurrent viewers worldwide.
On Feb 11, 2025, OTG reached 13 million users and recorded 450,000 daily active players worldwide.
Off The Grid gameplay
OTG is an innovative third-person shooter that redefines the battle royale genre by integrating deep narrative elements and dynamic gameplay mechanics. Directed by visionary filmmaker Neill Blomkamp, known for science fiction films like District 9 and Elysium,OTG offers players a unique blend of player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) experiences within a dystopian cyberpunk setting.
Setting and narrative
Set on Teardrop Island, a once-thriving locale now transformed into a battleground by the machinations of three mega corporations, OTG immerses players in a world where corporate greed and technological advancements collide.
The game's narrative unfolds through a 60-hour campaign, allowing players to engage in story-driven missions that run concurrently with traditional battle royale matches. This seamless integration ensures that every match contributes to the overarching storyline, providing depth and context to the high-stakes combat.
Gameplay mechanics
OTG introduces the "Extraction Royale" mode, a fresh take on the battle royale formula, in which a maximum of 60 players split into teams of three to engage in intense PvP skirmishes while simultaneously undertaking PvE objectives. The primary goal is not only to be the last team standing, but also to extract valuable resources, known as Hexes. These are scattered across the map, and are guarded by AI-controlled adversaries, adding layers of strategy and risk to each match. Hexes are loot containers that can be decoded by Validator NFTs, and then burned and minted into in-game items, such as weapons, skins and more.
Source: store.epicgames.com
Customization and progression
A standout feature of OTG is the extensive customization available to players. Characters referred to as Zeroes can be enhanced with cybernetic limbs (“cyberlimbs”), which provide unique abilities and advantages on the battlefield. These enhancements can be acquired during matches, either by looting or by defeating opponents and claiming their cyberlimbs. This real-time customization allows players to adapt their strategies dynamically, tailoring their abilities to the evolving challenges of each encounter.
The weapons system in OTG is equally robust, featuring over 300 combinations achieved through various attachments and modifications. Players can customize their arsenal to suit their preferred playstyle, whether it involves long-range engagements, close-quarters combat or tactical versatility. The ability to modify weapons and cyberlimbs mid-match adds a layer of depth, encouraging players to think strategically and adapt to the ever-changing battlefield conditions.
Traversal and mobility
Teardrop Island's diverse terrain offers numerous traversal options, enhancing both combat and exploration. Players can utilize vehicles, such as trucks and cars, for rapid movement across the map. Additionally, advanced equipment like grappling hooks and jetpacks enables vertical mobility, allowing for surprise attacks and quick escapes. These tools not only facilitate strategic positioning but also add a dynamic element to engagements, as players can approach objectives and confrontations from multiple angles.
Visuals and technology
Powered by Unreal Engine 5, OTG delivers stunning visuals that bring its cyberpunk world to life. The game's environments are richly detailed, featuring neon-lit cityscapes, industrial zones and desolate areas that reflect the island's tumultuous history. Character models and animations are meticulously crafted to keep players invested in the characters they play. The use of advanced lighting and particle effects creates a visually stunning experience, enhancing players' overall immersion.
Benefits of NFT ownership
GUNZ offers players a platform on which to truly own the assets they earn in the game via NFTs. Benefits of owning GUNZ NFTs include the following.
1. True ownership of in-game assets
On traditional gaming platforms, players' in-game items are typically controlled by the games’ developers, limiting players' rights over these assets. GUNZ changes this dynamic by allowing players to fully own their in-game items as NFTs, granting players complete control and the ability to trade or sell these assets as they see fit.
2. Seamless trading on established marketplaces
Through integration with major NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea, GUNZ allows players to trade their in-game NFTs with a broader audience. This integration provides a transparent and secure platform for transactions, enhancing the liquidity and value of players' assets.
3. Enhanced gaming experience
By incorporating NFTs, GUNZ offers a more immersive and personalized gaming experience. Players can acquire unique items, customize their characters and participate in a dynamic in-game economy, contributing to a richer and more engaging gameplay environment.
4. Potential for financial rewards
The ability to trade NFTs means that players can potentially earn real-world value from their in-game activities. By selling rare or valuable items, players can monetize their gaming skills and time investment, adding a financial incentive to their gaming experience.
5. Interoperability across games
The GUNZ platform is designed to support multiple games, thus allowing NFTs to be utilized across different titles. This interoperability means that players' assets can retain value and utility beyond a single game, providing a cohesive and expansive gaming ecosystem.
What is the GUNZ crypto token (GUN)?
Launched on Mar 31, 2025, GUN is the official token for the GUNZ ecosystem. GUN is built for two purposes: to be used within the GUNZ ecosystem, and as an in-game token. As an ecosystem utility token, GUN is used to pay gas fees for on-chain transactions, as well as to distribute rewards for Validator NFTs.
As an in-game token, GUN is used to pay in-game fees (such as HEX decoding fees) and to trade in-game items on GUNZ’s marketplace. GUN token is also used to reward players for completing variousOff The Grid challenges. Here are some of the challenges you can complete to earn GUN tokens:
Eliminate 5 challenges with a grenade — 0.5 GUN tokens
Obtain 5 Katana Arm kills in one match — 2 GUN tokens
Successfully extract a HEX — 2 GUN tokens
Place first as a premade squad — 10 GUN tokens
GUN features deflationary tokenomics. There’s a total of 10 billion tokens, of which 5.105% are dedicated to Validator NFT staking. These GUN tokens are locked into the Validator NFTs, and will eventually be burned when they’re used to mint in-game items.
Source: GUNZ white paper
Where to buy the GUNZ crypto token (GUN)
You can buy GUN as a Perpetual contract on Bybit with leverage of up to 25x (GUNZUSDT). The GUNZ Perpetual contract can also be traded automatically via Futures bots, such as Futures Grid, Futures Martingale and Futures Combo — each tailored to different investment goals and market conditions.
GUNZ (GUN) crypto price prediction
As of Apr 16, 2025, GUN is trading at $0.049, 57.2% lower than its all-time high (ATH) of $0.115 on Mar 31, 2025, and 21.1% higher than its ATL of $0.0404 on Apr 4, 2025.
Despite its rapid tumble from its ATH, price prediction experts remain relatively positive about this token's long-term prospects. DigitalCoinPrice expects GUN to climb to $0.18 by 2027, and to hit $0.27 by 2030. Meanwhile, CoinCodex anticipates GUN will grow at a slower pace to begin with, reaching a high of $0.06 in 2027 and rising to $0.20 by 2030.
Closing Thoughts
GUNZ provides an innovative approach to gaming. The optional NFT element for players is unique, creating flexibility for those who don't want to explore the blockchain aspect. The platform’s Off The Grid game has already recorded remarkable success, gaining popularity among Web 2.0 and web3 gamers.
With the capability for gaming developers to easily create and integrate games, GUNZ is strategically placed to influence blockchain gaming. Its official currency, GUN, is a token to watch as this AAA game continues to make its mark on the web3 gaming industry and beyond.
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