Animoca Brands has announced a new strategic partnership with Cross The Ages (CTA), a fantasy and science fiction game universe built using blockchain technology. The collaboration includes both strategic support and an open market purchase of CTA tokens. As part of this partnership, Animoca Brands will assist with the launch of Arise, an upcoming multiplayer action role-playing game (RPG), while also contributing to the broader growth of the Cross The Ages ecosystem.
Animoca Brands Partners with Cross The Ages
Animoca Brands Partners with Cross The Ages
Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, commented on the partnership by highlighting the consistent work of the Cross The Ages team. He pointed to the development of Arise using Unreal Engine 5 as proof that web3 games can deliver high-quality experiences. Siu believes the market hasn't fully grasped what Cross The Ages brings to the table, especially when it comes to game development and building out a functional ecosystem.
The deal marks a deepening relationship between the two companies. Animoca Brands is providing advisory services and backing its involvement with a financial stake through the purchase of CTA tokens. This signals confidence in the long-term trajectory of Cross The Ages and its ambitions within the web3 gaming space.
Animoca Brands Partners with Cross The Ages
Cross The Ages is Building a New Web3 Game
Arise is the next major release from Cross The Ages. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game is targeting a late 2025 launch on PC, with Mac and other platforms planned for later. It's free to play and centers on a multiplayer environment where players can choose roles like fighter, crafter, builder, farmer, or dungeon explorer. The game features player-versus-player combat, dungeon runs, and a resource trading system.
Players will have meaningful agency in shaping the in-game world and its economy. Animoca Brands will help guide the launch strategy for Arise, including decisions around the CTA token and liquidity support. The company is also involved in the development of Blast, the next iteration of Cross The Ages' digital trading card game.
Animoca Led a $3.5M Funding Round inn 2024
Animoca Brands has been backing Cross The Ages since 2021. In May 2024, the company led a $3.5 million equity funding round to support CTA's push into multimedia content. The latest move sees Animoca purchasing additional CTA tokens on the open market, reinforcing its commitment to the project.
The CTA token functions as the primary utility token across the Cross The Ages platform. Players use it for in-game purchases, minting items, and trading digital collectibles. The token ties together various parts of the CTA universe, including games, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other digital assets.
Sami Chlagou, CEO of Cross The Ages, highlighted the history between the two companies. He noted that Animoca Brands has been a key supporter since CTA's first token launch and through its initial equity round. Chlagou framed the partnership as a logical progression in a shared effort to establish a lasting footprint in blockchain gaming.
Animoca Brands Partners with Cross The Ages
Cross The Ages as a Transmedia Project
Cross The Ages launched in 2020 and has expanded into a transmedia platform that spans books, comics, games, and other content set in a science fiction and fantasy universe. The games are free to play but include a play-to-earn model that lets players collect and trade digital assets. The project also ties into real-world initiatives like ReVerse, which focuses on renewable energy and real-world assets (RWA).
Cross The Ages has partnered with major gaming companies including Ubisoft and Square Enix. These collaborations have helped build out a connected world that extends beyond the boundaries of traditional gaming.
Animoca Brands Partners with Cross The Ages
Animoca Brands' Broader Role in Web3 Gaming
Animoca Brands is a major player in the web3 gaming sector, focused on digital property rights for players and the development of the open metaverse. The company has invested in over 540 projects, including Yuga Labs, OpenSea, and Axie Infinity. Animoca also develops and publishes games like The Sandbox and Anichess, and participates in a stablecoin initiative alongside Standard Chartered.
Through its work with Cross The Ages, Animoca Brands aims to expand access to web3 games and support the creation of player-driven virtual worlds. With Arise on the horizon and the CTA ecosystem continuing to grow, the partnership represents a shared push toward building sustainable and engaging digital experiences.
