Shatterline Meets HV-MTL: Epic Fusion in the Arena

This spring marked a pivotal transition for the HV-MTL NFT mech suits, originally minted on Ethereum by the creators of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, Yuga Labs. These suits are now set to star in the upcoming free-to-play PC shooter, Shatterline, following their acquisition by gaming startup Faraway. Faraway, which maintains a close relationship with Yuga Labs, announced their new venture into the gaming scene by acquiring the HV-MTL and Legends of the Mara IP earlier in April.

This week, Faraway teased their collaboration with Shatterline on Twitter, unveiling a trailer that transforms the iconic pixel mechs into dynamic 3D companions. These companions are designed to aid players in the intense first-person shooter battles of Shatterline, which has been accessible in early access since 2022. According to Faraway co-founder Alex Paley, the game is set to exit early access with plans to shut down its servers on August 1 in preparation for a major launch later this year, including a debut on the Epic Games Store.

The collaboration with Shatterline was strategically timed, with discussions about integrating Web3 functionalities with Frag Lab, the developers behind Shatterline, going back as far as 2022.

However, Frag Lab prioritized perfecting the gameplay before introducing additional features. “We thought it looked absolutely incredible,” Paley remarked regarding the early playtests of Shatterline.

The acquisition of HV-MTL and Mara IP was seen as an opportunity by Faraway to extend these assets across a broader range of gaming platforms. Yuga’s co-founder and CEO, Greg “Garga” Solano, expressed that diversifying into different projects had initially caused the company to lose focus.

Looking ahead, Paley is enthusiastic about the integration of the HV-MTL suits in Shatterline, believing that it will distinguish the game within the competitive shooter genre. A planned launch in Q4 2024 will introduce significant power advantages for HV-MTL NFT owners within the game’s player-vs-environment expedition modes. Additionally, Shatterline aims to blend Web3 rewards, like tradable items, with traditional Web2 incentives, creating a multifaceted gaming experience.

Post-launch, Faraway has plans to expand the use of HV-MTL classes and explore the Legends of the Mara IP further, potentially introducing characters such as Koda Maras and Shattered Goliaths into the gameplay.

The strategic partnership between Faraway and Frag Lab exemplifies a successful fusion of traditional gaming with innovative blockchain technology. By focusing on high-quality gameplay and timely integration of NFTs, Shatterline is poised to make a significant impact on the gaming landscape.