Step into a world where blockchain technology meets heart-pounding gameplay, as we present an exclusive interview with the mastermind behind Citizen Conflict – Rastislav Bakala, CEO and Founder of QORPO.
In this captivating conversation, we unravel the innovative fusion of Web3 gaming, NFTs, and metaverse integration that sets Citizen Conflict apart from the rest. Join us as we explore the visionary’s journey into the gaming industry, their passion for blockchain, and their commitment to reshaping the landscape of Web3 gaming.
Could you please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background? How did you first get involved in the gaming industry?
RB: I am Rastislav Bakala, the CEO and Founder of QORPO. I’ve always been a passionate gamer since I was young. One of my earliest gaming experiences was with Pokémon on my Game Boy, where I would spend countless hours exploring, collecting creatures, and battling trainers. This sparked my interest in the gaming industry.
Over time, my gaming preferences expanded to include games like Counter-Strike and Call of Duty, which I’ve enjoyed playing. While pursuing a career in finance, I became fascinated with cryptocurrency and the Web3 space. However, I couldn’t find any captivating games that met my expectations. Realizing that I wanted to play an exceptional game, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I ventured into game development, assembling a talented team to create an innovative game that would meet my standards and engage other passionate gamers.
Combining my financial background with my love for gaming, I aimed to merge the excitement of gaming with the potential of blockchain technology. This allowed me to contribute to the gaming industry in a unique way, fueling my enthusiasm to constantly innovate and create immersive gaming experiences that exceed expectations.
What sparked your interest in blockchain technology and its potential for the gaming industry? Can you share any personal experiences or key moments that led you to embrace blockchain in Citizen Conflict?
RB: The concept of true ownership sparked my interest in blockchain technology for the gaming industry. One key moment was realizing that current Web2 gaming lacked true ownership, as exemplified by games like Diablo Immortal. In that game, spending around $100,000 to maximize a character’s potential didn’t offer the option to sell items or transfer value to other games.
This limitation led me to embrace blockchain in Citizen Conflict, where we leverage the technology to empower players with true ownership, allowing them to control and monetize their in-game assets. Blockchain opens up new possibilities for economic interactions and creates a more immersive and rewarding gaming experience.
How does Citizen Conflict leverage NFTs, and what unique benefits do they bring the players?
RB: In the game, players have the opportunity to explore and experience all the content it offers. If they find certain assets or items that don’t resonate with their preferences, they have the ability to sell them as true owners of these assets. This creates a dynamic economy where players can freely trade and exchange their NFTs, adding an additional layer of value to the gaming experience. It’s important to note that Citizen Conflict is a purely free-to-play game, meaning players do not require ownership of NFTs to enjoy the gameplay itself.
However, NFTs serve as tools to enhance the joy of gaming by providing customization options for character visuals, functionalities, and more. By owning these NFTs, players can personalize their characters to align with their unique preferences and create a more immersive gaming experience.
Overall, the integration of NFTs in Citizen Conflict empowers players to have a greater sense of ownership, control, and customization within the game, amplifying their enjoyment and allowing for a more engaging and personalized gaming journey.
“The Takeover” game mode seems to be a unique and intense experience. Could you elaborate on the gameplay mechanics and what makes it so engaging?
RB: “The Takeover” game mode in Citizen Conflict is an intense and engaging experience. In this 10v10 team-based mode, players fight over multiple control objectives spread across a large-scale map. The goal is to capture as many objectives as possible to accumulate points and achieve victory. Capturing objectives involves standing in designated areas for a specific duration. Players start at different sides of the map, utilizing various vehicles to reach objectives quickly. Battles mainly revolve around control points, creating fast-paced and chaotic gameplay. Respawn points are established at captured objectives, ensuring continuous action. Overall, “The Takeover” offers dynamic gameplay, strategic positioning, and a thrilling pursuit of objectives.
The introduction of new heroes in Citizen Conflict Alpha 2.0 brings fresh looks and skills to the game. Can you share some details about the process of creating these heroes and how they contribute to the immersive gameplay?
RB: The development of new heroes begins with brainstorming and conceptualization. Our team collaborates to envision distinct personalities, appearances, and backstories for each hero, ensuring their integration aligns with the overall game lore. From there, our artists bring these concepts to life, crafting captivating visuals that capture the essence of each hero.
Once the visual design is complete, our gameplay designers step in to define the hero’s abilities and playstyle. Extensive testing and iteration take place to ensure that the hero’s skills are balanced, engaging, and fit seamlessly within the game’s ecosystem. Consideration is given to their roles, strengths, weaknesses, and how they interact with other heroes and gameplay elements. The introduction of new heroes not only adds diversity to the character roster but also enhances the strategic depth of gameplay. Each hero brings a unique set of skills and playstyles, allowing players to explore different tactics and team compositions.
This variety fosters a sense of discovery and adaptability, keeping the gameplay experience fresh and exciting. Furthermore, the introduction of new heroes encourages players to engage in ongoing exploration and mastery of different character abilities. Players can experiment with different hero combinations, strategies, and counterplay tactics, fostering a dynamic and evolving metagame.
With the growing popularity of the metaverse concept, how do you envision the integration of Citizen Conflict into the metaverse? Are there any plans to expand the game’s presence in metaverse platforms?
RB: We envision integrating Citizen Conflict into the metaverse, creating a vast MMO world where three syndicates battle for power, similar to Planetside 2. While specific plans cannot be disclosed at this time, we are actively exploring opportunities to expand the game’s presence in metaverse platforms. Our goal is to provide an immersive and interconnected gaming experience, allowing players to seamlessly transition between the metaverse and the game for enhanced social interaction, collaboration, and exploration.
How do you ensure a balance between catering to both casual and competitive players in Citizen Conflict? Are there separate game modes or features designed for different skill levels?
RB: We have implemented various measures, including a robust ranking system and the inclusion of fun modes, to accommodate players of different skill levels and preferences. The ranking system in Citizen Conflict allows players to gauge their progress and compete against others of similar skill levels. This system ensures that competitive players can engage in intense matches against opponents of comparable abilities, fostering a challenging and rewarding experience.
To cater to casual players and provide a more relaxed gaming environment, we have also incorporated fun modes that offer unique gameplay experiences. These modes often have more relaxed rules, alternative objectives, or unconventional mechanics, allowing players to enjoy the game in a more casual and lighthearted manner. By offering distinct game modes and features tailored to different skill levels, we aim to provide an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all players.
Could you provide some insights into the future plans and updates for Citizen Conflict? Are there any upcoming features or expansions that players can look forward to?
RB: Citizen Conflict has exciting plans for the future. Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come:
- July: Magic Eden NFT Drop and Summer Jam giveaway event
- Citizen Conflict Tournament in the Philippines.
- September: Showcasing at Token2049 in Singapore and an NFT sale on Crypto.com.
- Opensea NFT Drops.
These upcoming features and expansions will bring new experiences and opportunities for players in Citizen Conflict. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance the game.
Are there any specific blockchain platforms or technologies that Citizen Conflict utilizes? What led you to choose these particular solutions for the game?
RB: The game is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, which provides advanced graphics and immersive gameplay capabilities. Citizen Conflict utilizes the Binance Smart Chain as its underlying blockchain infrastructure. This platform offers fast transaction processing and low fees, providing a seamless experience for players.
Also we integrated Chainlink VRF (Verifiable Random Function) into the game. Chainlink VRF ensures cryptographically secure randomness for various in-game applications. It enables randomized attributes with auditable evidence, making features like map generation, critical hits, matchmaking, card draw order, and random encounters/events possible within the game.
We’ve come to the conclusion that these technologies suit our interests the best in terms of quality, market viability and overall functionality.
In the realm of Web3 gaming, player-driven economies and decentralized marketplaces are gaining prominence. Does Citizen Conflict provide opportunities for players to trade, sell, or exchange in-game assets or NFTs within the game’s ecosystem?
RB: Yes, Citizen Conflict provides opportunities for players to trade, sell, and exchange in-game assets and NFTs within its ecosystem. Through QORPO Retail, players can utilize QORPO ID, a multichain wallet, to manage their NFTs and game assets. Additionally, the QORPO Market serves as a platform for users to monetize game assets and engage in trading, while the QORPO Games section acts as a Web3 games browser. This player-driven economy aims to keep users within the ecosystem, enabling feeless asset transfers and generating revenue through trading fees.
The gaming industry is constantly evolving. How do you plan to keep Citizen Conflict relevant and innovative in the face of emerging technologies and changing player expectations?
RB: At Citizen Conflict, we understand the dynamic nature of the gaming industry. To ensure our game remains relevant and innovative, we have made significant strides such as transitioning from Unity to Unreal Engine 5. This shift enables us to deliver a visually stunning and immersive experience. We also stay informed about emerging technologies, gather player feedback, and foster a culture of innovation within our team. By embracing industry advancements and player expectations, we are committed to keeping Citizen Conflict at the forefront of the gaming landscape.
Can you share some success stories or memorable moments from the community in Citizen Conflict? How has the game brought players together and fostered a sense of community?
RB: One of the most memorable moments in Citizen Conflict was the first Alpha test in December 2022, which marked the launch for NFT holders. This event brought together the community and created a sense of excitement and anticipation. It was a significant milestone that showcased the progress and development of the game, generating enthusiasm among NFT Holders.
User-generated content (UGC) is a significant aspect of Web3 gaming. Does Citizen Conflict support UGC, and are there plans to empower players to create and share their own content within the game?
RB: Citizen Conflict fully embraces user-generated content (UGC) in Web3 gaming. We have a clear vision and plans to empower players to create and share their own content within the game. UGC is a key aspect of our strategy, as it fosters creativity, longevity, and community engagement. Stay tuned for exciting updates as we unveil our UGC features in Citizen Conflict.
As the CEO of Citizen Conflict, what role do you see blockchain technology playing in the future of gaming, particularly in terms of fostering player ownership, security, and trust?
RB: As a player myself, I understand the frustration of investing time, effort, and money into a game, only to have limited control over the assets I acquire. With blockchain, this changes. Players can truly own their in-game assets, knowing that they hold real value and can be securely traded or transferred. This newfound ownership brings a sense of pride and freedom, as players can confidently invest in their gaming experiences, knowing that their efforts will have lasting value beyond the boundaries of a single game.
Finally, what excites you the most about the future of Web3 gaming, and how does Citizen Conflict contribute to the realization of that vision?
RB: The possibilities that lie ahead are unlimited, and the potential for transformative experiences is truly fascinating. What excites me the most is the concept of a player-driven and interconnected gaming ecosystem. Web3 gaming allows players to have true ownership of their in-game assets, the ability to trade and exchange seamlessly, and the opportunity to explore diverse virtual worlds.
We prioritize player ownership, providing a platform where players can truly own their in-game assets and have the freedom to trade or sell them when desired. Our integration of blockchain technology ensures transparency, security, and trust within the game’s ecosystem.
Moreover, we are actively building a vibrant and engaged community within Citizen Conflict. Through social features, events, and collaborative gameplay, we foster a sense of belonging and shared experiences. We listen to our players, gathering feedback and incorporating their ideas into the game’s development.