Animoca Brands, a prominent Web3 digital property rights company based in Hong Kong, has recently announced a partnership with Cross the Ages, a transmedia ecosystem that merges fantasy and science fiction on the blockchain. The collaboration sets the stage for the launch of “Arise,” a multiplayer action role-playing game (RPG) set within the Cross the Ages universe.
The agreement entails Animoca Brands providing support for the official release of the blockchain game, which has been in development for over two years. Scheduled for launch on Windows PC in the fourth quarter of 2025, with versions for macOS and other platforms to follow, “Arise” is expected to make a significant impact in the Web3 gaming industry.
Powered by Unreal Engine 5, “Arise” is positioned as a flagship AAA title within the Web3 gaming landscape, featuring immersive environments, intricate character designs, and robust economic interactions. Players can choose from various roles such as farmer, crafter, dungeon crawler, and fighter, engaging in both player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) activities, resource gathering, and participation in a player-driven in-game economy.
The game also introduces base-building mechanics, allowing users to manage energy, upgrade generators, and harvest resources from their land. Four key characters have been unveiled for “Arise”: Malik, Ellie, Takeshi, and Samia, each bringing unique abilities and skills to the gameplay experience.
In addition to supporting the launch of “Arise,” Animoca Brands has begun acquiring CTA tokens, the utility and governance token that powers Cross the Ages’ games, NFTs, and storytelling assets. These tokens will facilitate interactions across virtual and real-world assets within the Cross the Ages ecosystem, including “Arise” and other experiences.
Furthermore, Animoca Brands will assist in enhancing the go-to-market strategy for “Blast,” an updated version of Cross the Ages’ original trading card game. This initiative will involve optimizing tokenomics, marketing efforts, and providing liquidity for the CTA token.
Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the potential of Cross the Ages’ blockchain game development. He commended the team’s dedication to high-quality Web3 game development and highlighted the AAA potential demonstrated by “Arise” built on Unreal Engine 5.
Sami Chlagou, CEO and co-founder of Cross the Ages, acknowledged Animoca Brands’ longstanding support and envisioned a promising future for the partnership. He mentioned previous milestones such as the CTA token launch and equity funding round, underscoring the collaborative efforts driving the evolution of the Cross the Ages ecosystem.
In parallel, Animoca Brands revealed a joint venture with Standard Chartered Bank and Hong Kong Telecom to pursue a stablecoin issuer license application in Hong Kong. Evan Auyang, Group President of Animoca Brands, shared insights on this initiative, emphasizing the potential for issuing a stablecoin pegged to the Hong Kong dollar (HKD) through the licensed entity.
As the Web3 gaming landscape continues to evolve, partnerships like the one between Animoca Brands and Cross the Ages pave the way for innovative experiences that push the boundaries of blockchain technology in gaming. Stay tuned for the launch of “Arise” and the exciting developments within the Cross the Ages ecosystem.