Following a change of ownership, the HV-MTL NFT mech suits minted on Ethereum, initially created by Bored Ape Yacht Club maker Yuga Labs, are set to feature in the free-to-play arena shooter, Shatterline. Faraway, a gaming startup that acquired the HV-MTL and Legends of the Mara IP from Yuga Labs in April, announced the collaboration on Twitter (X) this week, showcasing the pixel mechs as flying 3D companions in the first-person shooter.
Shatterline, a PC-based shooter available in early access since 2022, will shut down early access servers on August 1 in preparation for a full launch later this year. Faraway co-founder Alex Paley told Decrypt’s GG that an Epic Games Store launch is also planned.
Faraway began discussions with Shatterline developer Frag Lab in 2022 about incorporating Web3 functionality. Frag Lab chose to focus on polishing gameplay before considering such additions. “We thought it looked absolutely incredible,” Paley said of early Shatterline playtests.
Faraway started talks with Yuga Labs to acquire the HV-MTL and Mara IP to expand them across multiple games. Yuga co-founder and CEO Greg “Garga” Solano admitted the Bored Ape maker had overstretched with too many projects. The potential collaboration with Shatterline influenced Faraway’s decision to proceed with the Yuga deal, as it promised a polished, competitive action game where the IP could thrive. Paley believes the HV-MTL and Mara IP will help differentiate Shatterline in the crowded shooter market.
Shatterline’s HV-MTL integration is expected to launch in Q4 2024. HV-MTL NFT owners will gain “significant power advantages” in player-vs-environment expedition modes, and Shatterline will offer both Web3 rewards (like tradable items) and traditional Web2 rewards.
Following the initial launch, Faraway plans to introduce more HV-MTL classes and explore the Legends of the Mara IP, featuring Koda Maras, Shattered Goliaths, and other characters and creatures originally created by Yuga Labs.
Paley praised Frag Lab for prioritizing gameplay polish over early NFT integration. With Shatterline’s launch fast approaching, the focus remains on delivering a refined gaming experience to a broad audience.
