Reaper Actual, the upcoming PC title from veteran game developer John Smedley, has entered its ‘Foundation Alpha’ testing phase. Developed by his studio, Distinct Possibility Studios, the alpha is available through tiered early access packages.
Smedley, known for his work on EverQuest and H1Z1, has positioned Reaper Actual as a ‘skills-based shooter first,’ emphasising that its blockchain elements are entirely optional for players.
A New Model for Web3 Gaming, Built on Fun First
The Foundation Alpha version allows players to provide direct feedback as the studio refines gameplay through community testing.
Three early-access tiers priced at $29.99 (£24.50), $49.99 (£40.80), and $74.99 (£61.25) offer combinations of ‘Reaper’ characters and defensive bases, including the top-tier Stygian Oath Edition, which provides four characters and two base types.
Developed by Distinct Possibility Studios, the PC-based title invites players to build, defend, and attack customisable bases on the war-torn island of Marova, a map reportedly larger than any previous first-person shooter.
Built on Tezos’ Etherlink, the game introduces tradeable in-game assets such as characters, bases, and cosmetics via a decentralised marketplace. Players can choose to play entirely through traditional platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store or use the studio’s native marketplace to own and exchange digital items.
The project is backed by significant funding, with Distinct Possibility Studios having secured £24.8 million from investors such as Bitkraft Ventures and Brevan Howard Digital earlier this year.
Unlike other crypto-enabled titles such as Off the Grid, which restricted early access with NDAs, Reaper Actual encourages open streaming and discussion across Discord and social media, echoing Web3 gaming’s ‘build-in-public’ ethos.
