Most Web3 games shut down in 2025. Off the Grid did the opposite—it expanded.
While crypto gaming companies closed their doors, Gunzilla Games launched their cyberpunk battle royale on Steam and brought their $GUN token to Solana. The results? Over 12,000 concurrent players and $666,600 in NFT trading volume in just 30 days.
Why Solana Changed Everything
Before July 10, 2025, Off the Grid ran exclusively on Avalanche’s GUNZ blockchain. Players faced high fees and slow transactions when buying weapons or trading cyber limbs.
Solana fixed that problem overnight.
Now players deposit $GUN tokens directly into their in-game wallets through Phantom. No chain-switching. No waiting. You earn tokens in a match, spend them immediately on new gear, and keep playing.
“It’s like having cash in your pocket instead of waiting for a bank transfer,” explains one community member on X.
The numbers back this up. Solana processes thousands of transactions per second at pennies per transaction. For a game where players constantly buy, sell, and trade items, that speed matters.
Steam Launch Brings Real Players
On July 17, 2025, Off the Grid hit Steam Early Access. This wasn’t just another blockchain game hoping for attention—it delivered.
Day one stats tell the story:
- 7,000+ concurrent players on Steam
- 10,000+ Twitch viewers
- 69% positive reviews
Within 24 hours, concurrent players jumped to over 11,000, peaking at 12,648. But here’s what makes this different from other Web3 games: these players came for the gameplay, not the tokens.
Steam doesn’t allow blockchain features on its platform. So Off the Grid keeps the crypto stuff separate. Players on Steam get a polished battle royale with 30% faster combat, reworked aiming systems, and new PvP modes. The blockchain elements live off-platform.
This approach works. The game now has 4.9 million players across PC, PS5, Xbox, and Epic Games Store—with Steam expanding that reach to mainstream gamers who never heard of NFTs.
The Token That Survived a Crash
When $GUN launched on Solana, the token price dropped 11% in 24 hours. Within weeks, it fell 69% from its all-time high.
Most crypto projects would panic. Off the Grid kept building.
The token serves a real purpose in the game economy. Players use $GUN to buy weapon skins, upgrade cyber limbs, and trade rare items. Unlike many crypto games where tokens feel forced, $GUN integrates naturally into gameplay.
Recent marketplace data proves this works. Players traded $666,600 worth of NFTs in June 2025 alone, despite the token’s price struggles. The game’s mainnet shows 413,000 asset decodings and $12.9 million in total volume.
Some items sell for thousands of dollars. But most transactions involve small purchases—a new hoodie here, weapon upgrades there. It’s an economy that actually functions.
Why Most Web3 Games Fail
2025 saw multiple crypto gaming projects shut down. They made the same mistakes: prioritizing tokens over gameplay, confusing interfaces, and promises they couldn’t keep.
Off the Grid did three things differently:
First, they built a good game. The cyberpunk battle royale plays well with or without blockchain features. Combat feels responsive, graphics look sharp, and matches stay engaging.
Second, they made Web3 elements optional. Steam players never see crypto wallets or token prices. They just play. But if you want to own your items or trade them, that option exists.
Third, they went multi-chain. Instead of betting everything on one blockchain, they deployed on both Avalanche and Solana. This gives players options and reduces technical risks.
What This Means for Gaming
Off the Grid proves Web3 gaming can work when done right. The game attracted over 17 million wallets and maintains strong NFT trading volume while growing its mainstream player base.
The key insight? Make the game first, add blockchain second.
Players don’t care about decentralization or token economics. They want smooth gameplay, fair matches, and cool gear. If you can deliver that experience while letting players truly own their items, you’ve created something valuable.
Most crypto games tried to be “play-to-earn” schemes disguised as entertainment. Off the Grid focused on entertainment first. The earning potential became a bonus, not the main attraction.
As more crypto projects fail and fewer investors fund Web3 gaming, Off the Grid’s approach offers a blueprint for survival. Build quality gameplay, integrate blockchain thoughtfully, and expand access across multiple platforms and chains.
The future of gaming might include NFTs and tokens. But only if games like Off the Grid prove the technology enhances rather than replaces good game design.