Spider Tanks is a popular multiplayer player VS player (PVP) brawler game developed by award-winning game studio GAMEDIA, originating from The Netherlands. The gaming studio is well known in The Netherlands for developing gamified applications for television shows. Spider Tanks is a robust step into the world of Web3 gaming for GAMEDIA, being one of the most popular play to earn games to play in the GALA gaming ecosystem.
What is Spider Tanks?
In the brawler game Spider Tanks players equip and combine a variation of tank bodies and weapons in the garage. They take their tank to engaging and fast-paced battles in arena maps, of which some are player-owned. There’s various game modes to discover of which team deathmatch is the most well known one.
The maps are beautifully designed and the quality of the game and combat gameplay is impressive. Although this arena-based combat game is free to play, there is a variety of play-to-earn blockchain elements implemented. Not only are in-game items NFTs, Spider Tanks also launched their native token SILK.
Tanks and Custumization
Since the game evolves around tanks, they are a player’s critical asset in battles. Due to the extensive customization options, Spider Tanks is a highly strategical game. Before a player is ready to battle a tank needs to be selected. From there on there’s a wide variety of bodies, weapons, props, abilities, and skins to personalize your playing style and chances of winning. The body of a tank determines crucial aspects of the gameplay. Pay close attention to changes in armor, speed, and energy while enhancing your tank.
Some stats that change depending on your gear include:
- DpS
- Health
- Range
- Ammo Speed
- Reload speed
- Ammo capacity
- Clip size
Game Modes in Spider Tanks
The creators behind Spider Tanks have released a growing number of game modes since development and launch for pc/mac on October 31, 2022. As of today the brawler features an impressive 6 different game modes.
- Team Deathmatch. Simple and straightforward, make sure your team gains more kills compared to the enemy side.
- Capture the Flag. Fun catch, you and your team actually need to hold on to a golden chicken for the longest time during a match.
- Chicken Chase. Somewhat of a fun and witty gimmick where your tank runs around the map in an attempt to collect the most golden chickens.
- King of the Hill. Dominate a central point on the map.
- Poultry Pusher. Push the payload holding an explosive chicken to the designated area before the enemy team.
- Kill Confirmed. Collect an egg after each kill to make it count.
Actually fun
For a game to succeed beyond just the web3 gaming community, we need more fun games. Spider Tanks seems to be achieving this by combining a popular brawler style game with funny chickens and chicken eggs throughout most of the game. This doesn’t mean the game isn’t serious by all means, and to this point the developers continue to provide updates consistently.
Something that can kill the fun for web2 gamers is the pay-to-win aspect. Which they may not find out about unless they research the game more. Some gamers pay hefty amounts to load up their garage with some of the rarest tanks and bodies around. GAMEDIA knows this too and doesn’t seem to mind looking at some of their recent in-game asset sales. On July 25th 2023 a new sale commenced in the Spider Tanks Store. The most expensive weapon plus body retailed for $5,000 and features an Ancient Fire Artillery and Ancient Fletcher.
Earlier in July a different sale featured a Tiger Tank, where again the ancient verison of the Tiger Tank retailed for $5,000. These Hero Tanks have an advantage over free to play tanks, You can call it little, but it’s still an advantage.
Play to Earn
If it’s feasible to play your way to a free ancient hero tank is unknown to us. The game is however play to earn, enabling players to earn $SILK by winning in combat, operating nodes, and other implemented GameFi mechanics. Victory Points are rewarded after winning battles, which can be redeemed for Spider Tanks’ ERC720 token SILK.
Again rarity of your NFTs determines the specific number of Victory Points, as well as the level of your in-game NFT assets. Balancing web3 game economies and tokenomics is not an easy task. While I don’t intend to read all the changes to the economy of the Spider Tanks ecosystem, it’s positive to see that the team is willing to adapt to new circumstances, ever changing market conditions in the crypto industry, and also listen to community feedback.
Conclusion about Spider Tanks
Spider Tanks offers players an entrancing fusion of action-packed gameplay and the revolutionary world of Web3 gaming. While the game’s core lies in its intense, strategy-driven tank battles, what sets it apart is the intricate blending of traditional gaming with the economic possibilities of blockchain technology.
From its beginnings in gamified TV applications to this intense tank battle gaming experience, GAMEDIA’s journey reflects a profound understanding of the gaming zeitgeist. The studio’s meticulous attention to detail is manifest in every facet of Spider Tanks: from the high-quality arena maps, intricate tank customization options, to the hilarious yet thematic inclusion of chickens and eggs.
It’s the Web3 gaming attributes that truly set Spider Tanks apart from its contemporaries. The inclusion of NFTs for in-game assets and the game’s native token, SILK, underline the forward-thinking approach of its creators. These elements, combined with the play-to-earn model, herald a new age of gaming where players not only immerse themselves in virtual battles but also in tangible economic opportunities.
Despite its groundbreaking innovations, Spider Tanks does not compromise on its primary goal: entertainment. With diverse game modes, from the strategic ‘Capture the Flag’ to the whimsical ‘Chicken Chase’, the game promises endless hours of fun and engagement.
However, the shadow of the pay-to-win model, especially evident in the pricing of premium assets, raises valid concerns about game balance. While GAMEDIA seems to acknowledge this and is continually updating the game, the challenge lies in ensuring that both paying and non-paying players find value and enjoyment in their experience.
In summary, Spider Tanks is more than just a game; it is a forerunner of the next generation of brawler gaming. While there might be hurdles to overcome, its blend of thrilling gameplay, strategic depth, and blockchain-driven economic opportunities suggests a bright future not just for Spider Tanks, but for the broader landscape of Web3 gaming.
