ZBD Launches Bitcoin Prize Pool for 1047 Games’ FPS ‘Splitgate’

ZBD, a New Jersey-based gaming technology company powered by the Lightning Network, announced a partnership with indie game studio 1047 Games to support Bitcoin payments for players of Splitgate, a free-to-play competitive first-person shooter (FPS). The two companies will be activating “The ZBD x Splitgate Winter Invitational,” a PC-based tournament for players starting December 10th. The winning team will receive a payout of 0.5 BTC (approximately $18,000 dollars) which will be immediately transferred to the winner’s ZBD wallet. .

1047’s Splitgate utilizes sci-fi elements, fast-paced gunplay, and vertical mobility through portals to create a dynamic multiplayer environment where movement, positioning, and mechanics are balanced. The game was originally released in May 2019 and was touted as a competitor to games like Call of Duty and Fortnite. It has amassed 18 million downloads to date, but momentum has reportedly slowed since 1047 halted development on the title in September 2022 to focus on the studio’s new games.

Despite the slowdown, 1047 appears to be continuing to explore new ways to engage its player base by using Bitcoin Lightning payments to immediately settle tournament prizes. Although it is not a novel application, inevitablyThis is a notable milestone for the gaming industry, as ZBD itself has previously enabled Bitcoin payments in over 100 of its games. Generally Lost in the swamp of Web3 vaporware. It’s truly refreshing to see Bitcoin integrated into a thoughtfully designed and truly competitive game.

1047 CEO Ian Proulx expressed his excitement about the partnership in the following press release: Bitcoin Magazine: “We are always excited to hear what ZBD has achieved and what innovative solutions they have come up with to reward players, including the tournament we are hosting later this month.”

In particular, the success of competitive FPS games with Bitcoin may lead other game studios in popular genres to explore similar Bitcoin-based incentives for player retention and in-game performance. Gamers are also more likely to be curious about Bitcoin, given their digital roots and proclivity for spending time online.

While Lightning payments aren’t widespread in the gaming industry, ZBD’s foray into the more competitive FPS space could be a sign that game studios are starting to look more deeply at ways to integrate internet-based funds into their player experience stacks.

Anyone who loves bashing their opponents in the head and wants to take on the challenge of cold hard Bitcoin can participate in the ZBD Splitgate tournament by registering on the ZBD website.