John Smedley, best known for EverQuest and PlanetSide 2, is back with a new game. This time, he’s stepping into Web3.
His new studio, Distinct Possibility Studios, just raised 30.5 million dollars to build Reaper Actual. It’s a big-budget open-world MMOFPS that plans to include tradeable characters, bases, skins, and other assets using blockchain. The game will run on Etherlink, a Layer-2 built on Tezos.
It’s Smedley’s first move into Web3, and choosing Tezos as the foundation is definitely unexpected.
What Is Reaper Actual?
From what we know so far, Reaper Actual is aiming to be more than just a crypto-infused shooter. It’s supposed to be a full-scale game launching on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the official website. That already puts it in a better position than most Web3 games that are browser-only or locked behind crypto wallets.
The blockchain integration is also optional. If you’re not into wallets and trading, you can ignore it. But if you want to collect or sell items, the game will give you that option.
It’s a smart approach that might help bring in both traditional gamers and Web3 users. Whether it actually works will depend on how the game feels to play, not just what chain it runs on.
Why Tezos and Etherlink?
The team chose Etherlink for its low fees, quick transactions, and energy efficiency. According to Smedley, the developers behind Etherlink share the same vision for putting gameplay first and keeping things simple for players.
There’s also a focus on developer tools and support, which could make a difference long-term if the team sticks with it.
Still, Tezos isn’t exactly the go-to chain for gaming. Most new projects are showing up on Immutable, Ronin, or Base. So this is definitely a unique move.
But Can It Succeed?
That’s the big question. During the last bull run, it felt like every other day there was a new AAA Web3 game announcement. Projects like Illuvium and Shrapnel had tons of hype, big token launches, and long beta waitlists. But as token prices dropped, many of those titles lost momentum.
Alex Chong from Everest Ventures Group said it clearly. Web3 still hasn’t grown a player base that sticks around for the gameplay. A lot of users are just chasing rewards. When tokens dip or NFTs lose value, they move on.
That’s what Reaper Actual has to fight against. If the game isn’t genuinely fun and engaging, even a big name like Smedley won’t be enough to keep players around.
What’s Next?
The first playable version, called the Foundation Alpha, is supposed to roll out soon. It’ll include early access to the game and some onchain asset systems.
No release date yet, but Reaper Actual will be available through major game platforms when it’s ready.
Reaper Actual definitely has potential. The dev team is experienced, the funding is there, and they’re not shoving Web3 down your throat. But this space has seen a lot of “next big things” fall flat. We’ll have to wait and see if this one can break the pattern.
I’ll be following it closely on habo.gg. If anything big drops, you’ll hear about it here first.
Let me know what you think. Does Smedley still have it? Or is this just another Web3 game with good intentions but a tough uphill climb?
