Upland Blockchain Game Revolutionizes Gaming with Innovative Technology
Upland, an innovative real estate collecting and trading game based on blockchain technology, has secured an additional $7 million in its Series A funding round. Leading the investment is EOS Network Ventures, marking its entrance into the world of crypto gaming. The funding will be used to expand the Upland game, which allows players to buy and sell digital versions of real-world properties on a virtual map. This injection of capital follows the initial $18 million Series A round that took place in 2021. In addition to enhancing gameplay, Upland aims to strengthen its marketing strategy to attract more players. The company also plans to provide tools for external developers to introduce new features and extensions.
One exciting development on the horizon is Upland’s plan to introduce an Ethereum token linked to its existing in-game utility token. Known as “Sparklet,” this initiative could have significant implications for Upland’s presence in the broader crypto market.
Despite the declining popularity of the EOS network, Upland chose to build its platform on it. Upland CEO Dirk Lueth explained that when the company was founded in 2018, EOS was one of the few viable blockchains for such a project. Ethereum’s high gas fees were a barrier they couldn’t overcome, making EOS the optimal choice. Thanks to EOS’s technical features, Upland can now mint 80 NFTs per second.
The involvement of EOS Network Ventures in Upland’s Series A extension shows that backers still see potential in growing the ecosystem. This demonstrates their confidence in Upland’s vision and technical capabilities.
The recent funding round will not only enhance the in-game experience of Upland but also drive the expansion of its utility token, Spark, onto the Ethereum blockchain as Sparklet. This strategic decision aims to increase Upland’s visibility in the broader market and enable more users to engage with its unique ecosystem. Ripple’s favorable court ruling and Upland’s decision not to sell its token to investors or the team may help the project navigate regulatory challenges faced by other crypto startups.
To further diversify and expand, Upland has partnered with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). This collaboration introduces new NFLPA Bundle types, including the Mixed Essentials Bundle, Team Essentials Bundle, and Pass Bundles. The 2023-2024 Upland experience will offer gamified digital collectibles of NFL players, community activities, and community-created shops celebrating previous seasons, all in partnership with the NFLPA.
Industry leaders like SEGA’s co-COO Shuji Utsumi, Double Jump Tokyo CEO Hironobu Ueno, and Takuya Tsuji, the founder of Eureka Entertainment Ltd, recognize the potential of blockchain technology in revolutionizing the gaming industry. As demonstrated by the integration of NFTs into the highly anticipated game “Battle of Three Kingdoms,” blockchain has the power to transform gameplay. Additionally, Asia’s gaming market is on the rise, with popular blockchain games like Axie Infinity gaining dedicated users in Japan and Southeast Asia.
In summary, Upland’s latest funding round will fuel the expansion of its real estate collecting and trading game. With the introduction of an Ethereum token and strategic partnerships, Upland aims to increase its presence in the crypto gaming market and offer a better gaming experience to its players. The broader gaming industry is also recognizing the potential of blockchain technology, particularly in Asia, where the adoption of web3 games is growing.
