Key Takeaways
- Off The Grid is set to become the first publicly announced blockchain-integrated game on Steam since Valve banned crypto and NFT-based games in 2021.
- It is unclear if Off The Grid’s optional blockchain elements will be available in the Steam launch.
- Despite the breakthrough for Off The Grid, many Web3 gaming projects have shut down in 2025.
Gunzilla Games has announced that its battle royale title, Off The Grid, will launch on Steam in June, making it the first blockchain-integrated game publicly revealed for the platform since Valve’s 2021 crypto ban.
The surprising news follows a growing trend of Web3 gaming projects closing before reaching full release, as the industry battles with skepticism and funding issues.
Off The Grid Comes to Steam
On Wednesday, May 21, Gunzilla Games confirmed that Off The Grid will arrive on Steam in June.
The developers noted that the game will support full cross-play with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
“Bringing Off The Grid to Steam is a major milestone for us—not just because of the platform’s reach, but because it allows us to welcome an entirely new wave of players into a game that’s been built hand-in-hand with the community,” said Vlad Korolov, CEO and Co-Founder of Gunzilla Games.
Valve’s Ban on Blockchain Games
In October 2021, Valve updated its Steam guidelines to ban any “applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs.”
Although Valve’s stance remains restrictive against blockchain-based games, Off The Grid’s arrival may signal the company moving towards a more nuanced approach to the policy.
Off The Grid’s blockchain mechanics, as it stands, are optional for players.
In a December interview with CCN, the company’s Director of Web3, Theodore Agranat, stated: “We want players to experience a great video game first and foremost.
“In fact, they can avoid blockchain elements entirely if they choose. At no point will it be intrusive—it’s simply an optional layer.”
It’s also possible that Off The Grid’s blockchain elements will not be available on the Steam version at all, although this has not been confirmed or denied.
CCN reached out to Gunzilla Games for comment.
Tough Year for Web3 Gaming
The launch of Off The Grid comes amid a challenging year for Web3 games. Numerous projects have been shut down, many without ever delivering a full release.
Most recently, on May 21, Ember Sword, a project in development since 2021, was officially shut down.
Despite raising over $200 million in funding, the game never saw a proper launch, leaving players and backers in outrage.
Web3 gaming content creator Tr3vor has been tracking the closures on X, listing over 15 Web3 titles that have shut down in 2025 alone.
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
