NDUS Interactive announced Thursday that it has raised $7.5 million in pre-Series A funding to bring its third-person shooter game, Xociety, to life on the Sui blockchain.

The funding round was led by Hashed and the Sui Foundation, with additional investments from Spartan, Neoclassic, Big Brain Holdings, and PUBG game publisher Krafton.

"We are focusing on creating a sustainable player engagement model, moving away from the short-lived earning models seen in some Web3 games," said NDUS founder Jeffry Kim in a release. "This investment will help us blend the best aspects of traditional gaming with the possibilities of Web3."

Game Features and Beta Success

Xociety introduces features such as an in-game corporation system that allows players to own shares and manage economic entities within the game world. It combines role-playing and third-person shooter elements with a new reward structure built around skill.

A recent beta test for Xociety attracted over 3,000 users from 76 countries, who played for over 11,000 hours in total. 77% of players remained engaged for over a week.

The game is being developed by industry veterans like Myoungjin Lee, known for Ragnarok, and Sang Chung, former Head of PlayDapp.

Launch and Future Plans

A Sui representative confirmed to Decrypt's GG that the game will launch later this year. The next play-to-mint event is currently set for July. A previous play-to-mint event in January and February allowed users to earn token rewards and access to NFT mint allowlists.

Xociety has already minted player-owned in-game avatars on the Ethereum blockchain, but NDUS announced in April that it would ultimately launch the game on Sui.

"This investment will help us blend the best aspects of traditional gaming with the possibilities of Web3." - Jeffry Kim, NDUS Founder

Industry Support and Vision

The high-profile support from industry giants like Hashed, Sui Foundation, and Krafton highlights the growing interest in integrating blockchain technology with traditional gaming elements.

NDUS Interactive aims to redefine the gaming experience by focusing on long-term player engagement rather than short-lived earning models. This vision signifies a shift in the Web3 gaming landscape, aiming to offer gamers more sustainable and immersive experiences worldwide.