The blockchain gaming universe is focused on offering monetary gains to its players. Along the way, the fun part of the game is often neglected. Repeated scenarios, senseless gameplay, and mediocre mechanics plague the game which manages to deter casual gamers from dipping their toes in the lucrative world of blockchain gaming.
However, a space-themed blockchain game, Star Atlas, plans to change that perspective by offering a diverse outer space experience of the cosmos. Built on the Solana Blockchain using Unreal Engine 5, there’s a strong buzz going on around the Star Atlas metaverse, and both blockchain gamers and casual gamers have strong expectations from the project. In its infancy, Star Atlas combines an MMO concept in space with modern decentralized mechanics to create a game that is unmatched.
In today’s round, we’re offering an in-depth Star Atlas review consisting of every minor detail. Fascinated by the concept of exploring the unexplored parts of the cosmos, taking control over a fleet of spaceships, and minting NFTs? Read on to find out everything you need to know about Star Atlas.
What is Star Atlas?
Star Atlas is an upcoming space-themed NFT-game built on the Solana Blockchain network. It depicts the events of the year 2620 in a galaxy far away where three factions, Humankind, Alien races, and Android are constantly engaged in a conflict to control the ample part of the Star Atlas cosmos and establish a dominion. Players can choose to join any of these races and play a vital part in influencing the outcomes of the conflicts to restore order and open up opportunities for monetary gain. Developed using Unreal Engine’s Nanite technology, Star Atlas features stunning graphics and offers a cinematic and detailed exploration of this virtual space. Coupled with the Solana Blockchain network which is capable of carrying out 50K transactions within a second, the Star Atlas metaverse provides a level of sophistication in blockchain technology that has not been witnessed before.
Star Atlas: Hybrid Genre
In the space-themed settings, players can explore the vast expanse for its precious resources, and engage in player-versus-player (PVP) and player-versus-environment (PVE) battles to acquire NFTs (in-game assets) which can be sold on the decentralized marketplace to turn a profit. With a deep emphasis on exploring the mined assets, engaging in combats, tapping into the blockchain to expand the network, and understanding the basic concepts of hybrid offerings required to turn a profit, Star Atlas uses diverse mechanics to appeal to the enthusiasts with highly rewarding mode choices. All of these key features are great, so let's get down to the details.
Grand Strategy
Set in an expansive cosmos, Star Atlas enables players to install strategic trade routes on the amplest parts of the space. Using offensive and defensive strategies to dismantle your foes and acquire rewarding logistic routes, players can create an intergalactic empire of their own and get lucrative rewards for standing their ground.
Exploration
Asset exploration is given the top priority in the Star Atlas ecosystem as players perform deep dives into the cosmos in search of valuable assets. Using a top-down view as well as a first-person view of the cockpit, players explore the uncharted regions of the space to look for valuable resources. The resources found during the interstellar adventure can be minted, refined, and traded through the native marketplace to turn a profit. Players not too keen on engaging in the combat side of things can always choose to stick with the adventure aspect of it. In the exploration mode, players can take over the controls of the spaceship, command their crews, and use other-worldly technology to locate resources. Later on, players can install the mining machinery to refine the resource to trade them on the marketplace to earn real-world money.
Role-Playing
Running a gigantic mining operation opens up new streams of revenue through logistics, operations, and administration. And all such tasks cannot be handled alone and this is where the role-playing feature of the game comes in. Offering opportunities to make careers in virtual worlds, players can rack up a team of professionals to handle the day-to-day operations and experience a true sense of role-playing. The role-playing scenario opens up the possibility for countless career operations which alone can be quite lucrative. From cargo hauling to trading ores on the intergalactic marketplaces, Star Atlas' vast ecosystem offers not only a means of livelihood but also a means of enjoyment.
Space Flight Simulation
A first-person experience of using a spaceship will allow you to see all the action behind the scenes. Push the throttle to enter the vast unknown and experience a unique perspective of space exploration. Aside from visiting different settlements across the galaxy, spaceships will also be used in combats and dog fights. Choose from the large arsenal of mounted weapons and take the fight head-on. With great emphasis on exploration of the galaxy, Star Atlas’ space flight simulator provides a glimpse into the life of a spaceship captain. For Star Wars enthusiasts, operating the space flight simulations to discover extraterrestrials and engaging in combat would surely be a sight to behold.
Star Atlas Gameplay
With the medley of next-gen blockchain technology and Unreal Engine 5, the Star Atlas universe offers players a robust and fully customizable gameplay experience with everything from interacting, mining, trading, and more. While the idea of an immersive space-themed NFT game was conceptualized in 2020, implementing each element of the diverse in-game feature has been quite a feat for the developers. While Star Atlas is in its infancy, it lacks the most basic mechanics, but developers plan to introduce a broad range of unique mechanics by the time of its release.
Faction Security Zones
Initially, players can choose from the three factions - Humankind, Alien races, and Androids. Each of these factions has its safety zones where players spawn for the first time and nurture until they’re ready to venture into the unknown and engage in combat. Starting off, players need to gather resources, understand the fundamentals of the game, acquire a battle-hardened spaceship and employ an experienced space crew. Once ready to fly off to the nearest combat zone, players will engage in PVP and PVE battles. During battles, players who manage to stand their ground and dismantle their enemies will be able to loot the riches of their enemies. Losers, on the other hand, might be dealt a big blow. While some loot is lost forever, players will need to make repairs and employ a new space crew to once again test their skills against other players in this immersive world.
Combat
Every player-controlled spaceship in Star Atlas is equipped with various sorts of missile bays and turrets. Each spaceship is powered by power supplies and is guarded by shields around the spaceship coupled with a hull. A missile-guided system is also employed which tracks down enemy ships and targets the weak parts of their ships. Land more shots on your enemies to take down their ship and loot them of their riches.
Moreover, enemy-occupied settlements can also be captured but they have their own defensive systems installed throughout the settlements. Players can choose to use various maneuvers to protect their ship from incoming assaults and take out the enemy defenses. There’s also a passive assault mode which can be strategically used to capture the base to utilize it for your own gains.
Deep Space Exploration
One of the essences of Star Atlas’ gameplay pillar includes deep space exploration. Players can visit all the stars visible to them and use the cutting-edge gear they have to scan the terrains of its riches and acquire them to trade in the marketplace. With a fueling system in place, players will be required to keep a close eye on their fuel tank to ensure a safe and hassle-free exploration. Each star in the metaverse is laden with rich resources. Players will need high-tiered equipment to locate the resources, refine them, and trade them on the market to turn a profit. Aside from lucrative means, resources could also be utilized to make in-game upgrades.
Station Modular Construction
Setting up space stations on newly-found planets is just as important and requires players to install space decks to claim the land and all of its riches. Players can build various sorts of structures in the region to mine, trade, and protect the land from the opponents. Starting with the mining equipment, players install mining equipment and Refinery decks in the region which are responsible for mining raw ore and converting it into high-valued tiered ore which significantly adds to the value of the mined assets.
A Commerce deck is also utilized to store the mined assets and trade them on the in-house Star Atlas marketplace by tapping into the decentralized network. Moreover, the Shipyard deck would be responsible for the manufacturing of new ships, making the repairs, refueling the aircraft, and essential configuration of the ships. The Shipyard would also work as a docking station for all the spacecraft.
Players can also build Hangers on their settlements to store and safeguard an entire fleet of space crafts for a prolonged period. Moreover, Retail and Cargo decks are built to store, craft, and sell the advanced components in the marketplace. A University deck can also be installed to offer basic training to the crew. It would also work as a recruitment center for recruiting new crew members. Lastly, Defensive decks would act as the first line of defense from the opponents. It consists of missile bays and turrets which would target any hostile activity detected on the horizon.
Once the occupied regions have developed significantly, players will be able to install the Dyson sphere which would act as an independent Jump point. Players would then be able to travel to the desired regions in a matter of seconds using the Dyson sphere which would not only save time but also open up new alleyways for economic trading lanes.
Crew & Ship Component Outfitting
Space crafts and their crews are a vital part of the Star Atlas ecosystem. Players can train and recruit crew members for their ships using the University deck. The crew members will work in synergy to operate the various roles on the ship and ensure smooth operations. Players can assemble their crew members and use highly-trained officers to buff newly-recruited crew members on the ship. Keep in mind that an amateur crew could alter the operations of the spaceship, hence it is essential to have at least a few highly-skilled crew members on the deck at all times.
Professions
Running an entire space station requires a team of professionals with roles ranging from Pilot, Gunner, Engineer, CEO, Broker, and countless others. Opening up alleyways to tons of new career options, players are required to assemble a team of a highly-trained crew that will take on these roles and perform day-to-day tasks to smoothly run the operations on the base.
From defending the station from hostile forces to utilizing the logistic services to opening up trading lanes, each department would require professionals to handle the operations on the base. It is, however, essential to have highly-skilled crew members to run the business efficiently because, with an amateur crew, it would be impossible to keep a grasp on the business side of things.
Decentralized Autonomous Corporations (DACs)
Star Atlas's vast ecosystem includes countless roles which cannot be operated alone, Star Atlas encourages its players to create alliances and invite other players to create factions to rule over the region and be a part of the Decentralized Autonomous Corporations (DACs). Such DACs will have their own economies, political systems, and everything one can expect from a democratic system of governance.
These alliances can put together their armies to take on the competitors and take over their occupied regions. Similarly, economic ties can be made with other DACs on the metaverse for economic trading and create a new stream of revenue. Using $POLIS, the governance token in Star Atlas, players can impose tax fees, fines, rules & regulations, and introduce a vast democratic system for players who wish to join these independent DACs.
Despite the challenges that come with exploring the unknown cosmos, having strong DACs on your side can allow you to take on the opponents head-on and control the distribution of resources on the planet.
Economics
Star Atlas plans to revolutionize the future of the play-to-earn (P2E) model by offering complete digital ownership over in-game assets. Such NFTs can be sold on the marketplace to turn a profit and also offers the ability to convert virtual currency into real-world money. The team ensures that every single cent earned through trading, looting, or by any other means remains the property of the player with complete control over the assets.
Every player is compensated for the work they put into the vast metaverse and Star Atlas’ team takes great pride in offering a rewarding monetization system by utilizing the cutting-edge blockchain technology in contrast to traditional monetary models, which often work against the players' interests. For all these reasons, the economic model of Star Atlas has all it takes to become a reliable one.
Star Atlas NFTs: What role do they play in the game?
Star Atlas is home to countless non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with players having complete control over their digital assets. These NFTs include Spaceships, mining equipment, resources, in-game collectibles, structures, and many more elements. Each of these NFTs has its specific role in the ecosystem of Star Atlas. Spacecrafts are the most essential component in Star Atlas as they’re used to engage in PVP and PVE modes to conquer and defend against your foes. Spacecrafts are also required for deep space exploration to hunt for valuable resources.
Additionally, all of the ships are classified according to their rarity, which ranges from anomaly, rare, and uncommon to legendary with each one having unique attributes and designated for a particular task. The game offers a variety of ship types for players to purchase and use in their natural environment, such as Fighter, Racer, Multi-role, Data Runner, Bomber, Freight, Bounty Hunter, and Refuel ship types. Such ships can be traded on the marketplace for a decent profit. Further, resources, collectibles, and assembled structures also comprise NFTs, with each of them having its own significance in the Star Atlas ecosystem.
NFT In-game assets
Everything from a player’s fleet of vessels to mined raw ore falls under the digital ownership of the player. Such in-game NFT assets then can be sold or traded on the native marketplace using the Star Atlas’ utility token. Despite the game being far away from launch, Star Atlas’ team launched a variety of in-game assets on their in-house marketplace where players have spent chucks of money to acquire them to turn a profit later on when the beta phase of Star Atlas is launched in the near future.
NFT Marketplace
The native NFT marketplace place of Star Atlas is already live and players can trade various sorts of in-game NFTs over the marketplace. Since Star Atlas is built on the Solana blockchain network, players will be required to connect a Solana-supported wallet to the marketplace to make purchases. Currently, there are many fighter ships on the market that are of varying rarities, making it effortless for interested players to invest early to reap the rewards later. In case someone is interested in navigating the marketplace for a lethal fighter spacecraft, here’s how you can connect your wallet to the Star Atlas’ native marketplace and acquire the assets.
- Download the Phantom Crypto Wallet on your device.
- Sign up using your credentials.
- Navigate to the marketplace of Star Atlas.
- Click on the ‘Connect Wallet’ button located at the bottom-left corner of the window.
- Click on Phantom or any other preferred Solana-supported crypto wallet.
- The on-screen instructions will guide you through the rest of the process.
- Browse the marketplace to purchase the desired in-game assets.
Star Atlas Tokenomics
Star Atlas sets itself apart by offering a state-of-the-art smart contract functionality provided by SerumDEX and using the dual-token system in the Star Atlas ecosystem. $ATLAS is used as the in-game utility token while $POLIS is the governance token in the Star Atlas ecosystem. Michael Wagner, the intellect behind the concept of Star Atlas, utilizes his vast experience in the finance industry to offer stable tokenomics to the metaverse.
It is Star Atlas' goal to provide sustainability at an economic level that will benefit players both short-term and long-term. By employing a generous system that offers in-game rewards to players for contributing to the ecosystem.
Atlas Token
Atlastoken (ERC20) is the utility token in the Star Atlas ecosystem which is used to acquire in-game assets and is responsible for all the in-game economic interactions. Initially, players will use the Atlas token to acquire spaceships, crews, mining equipment, and other digital assets in the metaverse. Players are compensated in Star Atlas tokens for completing various quests and objectives in Star Atlas. Players can claim in-game rewards in the form of Atlas tokens for real-world money, enabling monetary gains for them.
Moreover, every bit of trading of utility assets related to Star Atlas takes place exclusively with Atlas tokens. From selling the refined resources on the peer-to-peer market to refueling the ship, Atlas tokens will be needed. The total supply of Atlas tokens is 36,000,000,000 with a whopping 65% of the funds allocated for in-game rewards. Moreover, the rest of the total supply is allocated toward private sales, teams, public pre-sale, and liquidity pools.
Polis Token
Polis token (ERC-20) is the governance token in the Star Atlas ecosystem and its holders will have authority over in-game policies as well as directing real-world economic policies. Within the game, Polis token holders will have control over various regions of the metaverse where such players have complete control over the operations, regardless of who owns the digital assets in the region. Polis token holders will be able to impose taxes, create in-game policies, and enact laws in their controlled regions with other players compelled to follow them. However, a political system is introduced in the metaverse with voting rights to ensure non-dictatorship over the controlled regions of the cosmos.
On the real-world side of things, Polis token holders would influence the development and policy-making phase of Star Atlas. Holders can recommend necessary in-game changes, offer insights on the inflation rates, and get a final say in the roadmap of the metaverse. Polis tokens will be offered as an in-game reward and also sold in private token sales which can then be traded on the secondary marketplaces.
The total supply of Polis tokens is 360,000,000 with 40% of the assets allocated toward in-game rewards while the rest is allocated toward public sales, private token sales, liquidity pools, and team.
Token Burning
Star Atlas uses smart contract functionality with different tiered zones which leads to asset and token destruction. On the combat side of things, once a player flies off from the faction safe zones, they’ll be compelled to engage in battles, and those who get a taste of defeat will lose a part of their NFT asset, which will be acquired by the winner. The salvaged NFT will now be owned by the victor of the battle.
Certain digital assets such as fuel are non-permanent and would be lost forever. Moreover, there’s a great emphasis on the concept of token repurchase and token burning from the development team. It is hard to imagine how the concept would work without first-hand experience.
Star Atlas Team: Who is behind it?
The Star Atlas project is led by Michael Wagner - Co-founder and CEO of Star Atlas. His vast experience in digital finance firms over the years puts him in the spot to make excellent financial decisions to make Star Atlas a success. Other co-founders include Danny Floyd (Chief Product Officer), Jacob Floyd (Chief Technology Officer), and Pablo Quiroga (Chief Revenue Officer). All of whom have vast experience in the combined fields of Crypto, Web3, and finance.
Bottom Line
Star Atlas is yet to be fully operational but there's a positive sentiment surrounding the game. The immersive gameplay coupled with a rewarding system is a recipe for success. Despite the uncertainty of whether the vast metaverse will be able to live up to the expectations, enthusiasts around the globe are eager to get their hands on this exciting gaming experience.
