- The launch of the Ubisoft Quartz platform is the debut of NFTs for in-game items from a major video game company.
- Ubisoft Quartz is the first building block in Ubisoft’s ambitious vision for developing a true metaverse built on the open Tezos blockchain.
- In 2021, the Tezos network processed over 50 million transactions with the energy consumption equivalent to 17 global citizens.
Ubisoft, a world-renowned video game company, announced it has chosen to build Ubisoft Quartz, a new platform for players to acquire Digits and the first, energy-efficient NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) playable in a AAA game, on the Tezos blockchain. The launch of the Ubisoft Quartz platform is the debut of NFTs for in-game items from a major video game company.
To operate the first energy-efficient in-game NFTs from a major video game company, Ubisoft Quartz leverages Tezos, a leading Proof-of-Stake blockchain that uses more than 2 million times less energy to operate than Proof-of-Work blockchains such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. A single transaction on Tezos uses roughly the same amount of energy as streaming 30 seconds of video. Meanwhile, a single transaction for some Proof of Work blockchains requires the same energy as streaming nonstop for a full year. In 2021, the Tezos network processed over 50 million transactions with the energy consumption equivalent to 17 global citizens, according to a new report by PwC.
“Our long-term efforts led us to understand how blockchain’s decentralized approach could genuinely make players stakeholders of our games, in a way that is also sustainable for our industry, placing back into their hands the value they generate through the time they spend, the items they buy or the content they create online,” said Nicolas Pouard, VP of Ubisoft’s Strategic Innovation Lab. “Ubisoft Quartz is the first building block in our ambitious vision for developing a true metaverse. And it can’t come to life without overcoming blockchain’s early-form limitations for gaming, including scalability and energy consumption.”
“Energy-efficiency is an important factor for companies like Ubisoft, choosing to build on a blockchain network — global validators on Tezos consumed less energy than just 17 people while processing over 50 million transactions in the last year. I believe that Tezos’ efficiency and ability to evolve position the network to support Ubisoft’s vision for building a layer of value for the gaming world.” — Mason Edwards, Chief of Staff, Tezos Foundation.
Ubisoft Quartz will combine the thrill of playing and the distinctiveness of owning unique, collectible pieces of Ubisoft game worlds. From in-game vehicles to weapons to pieces of equipment, NFTs offer players unprecedented ways for gamers to connect with and get more value from the games they love. This large-scale experiment is the next step in Ubisoft’s 4-year exploration of blockchain technology through close collaboration with the Tezos ecosystem and in-house research and development.
Ubisoft chose Tezos to power its in-game NFT program because the network has proven to be fast, secure, and energy-efficient. Tezos is the original Proof of Stake blockchain and is the only blockchain network to successfully upgrade itself to increase efficiencies, adopt new features, and lower energy consumption. Deployments on Tezos are up 15,000% in 2021 and the network has eclipsed 50 million transactions. Recently, Tezos was the exclusive NFT Sponsor of Art Basel Miami Beach, where tens of thousands of art fanatics from around the world opened their first crypto wallet and minted their first NFT at the interactive exhibition: Humans + Machines: NFTs and the Ever-Evolving World of Art. Tezos is the blockchain of choice for open, energy-efficient web3 experiences.
“Energy-efficiency is a key requirement to propel blockchain technology into a future where it can be widely used by millions of players. We chose Tezos because of its original Proof-of-Stake network and its leadership on clean NFTs,” says Didier Genevois, Blockchain Technical Director at Ubisoft. “One transaction on their network uses the same amount of energy as streaming 30 seconds of video, while the previous generation of blockchain networks can consume the same energy required for one year of non-stop streaming. This low carbon footprint means that both our developers and our players can prioritize innovation without compromising sustainability.”
Ubisoft Quartz will be accessible to Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint on Ubisoft Connect for Windows PC players with at least the XP Level 5 in the game. Players must be at least 18 years old to be able to create a crypto-wallet.
Ubisoft Quartz will be available in beta starting December 9th at 6PM UTC in the USA, Canada, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Australia and Brazil. Digits will be released as part of limited editions each composed of a fixed number of items. The experiment will kick off with three drops of free Digits to reward early adopters on December 9, 12and 15. Other drops are planned for early 2022, more details will be shared at a later date.
About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed ®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew®, Tom Clancy’s The Division®, and Watch Dogs®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2020-21 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,241 million. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About Ubisoft Strategic Innovation Lab:
The mission of the Strategic Innovation Lab is to help Ubisoft anticipate the future. Both a think-tank and a do-tank, the Lab analyzes emerging technological, business and societal trends in order to identify opportunities for innovation. The team also develops prototypes and pilot projects to explore new areas, in collaboration with internal and external partners. This exploratory role allows Ubisoft to get a head start in identifying innovative ideas and assessing their potential, before eventually integrating them into the company on a larger scale.
About Tezos:
Tezos is smart money, redefining what it means to hold and exchange value in a digitally connected world. A self-upgradable and energy-efficient Proof of Stake blockchain with a proven track record, Tezos seamlessly adopts tomorrow’s innovations without network disruptions today. For more information, please visit www.tezos.com.
