A Game-Changing Breakthrough: Introducing X8 – The Future of VR Gaming and Esports

The Unstoppable Rise of X8: From Development to Launch

By Masaru “Nogi” Ohnogi, Executive Producer of X8 at Thirdverse

Industry Direct by By Masaru “Nogi” Ohnogi, Executive Producer of X8 at Thirdverse

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Quality and Community Building: The Key Focus of X8 Development

At Thirdverse, we believe that a game’s success lies in the strength of its community. In our quest to create a remarkable VR and multiplayer experience, we dedicated ourselves to fostering an engaged player community.

Our emphasis on quality was evident in every aspect of X8. We crafted intricate weapon manipulation, introduced a groundbreaking ‘throwing knives’ system for direct opponent damage, and incorporated gesture-based abilities, all to provide an unmatched level of immersion. By embracing these elements, we aimed to set X8 apart from similar 2D games in the genre.

To ensure we met players’ expectations, we conducted two Closed Betas, which proved invaluable in gathering feedback and identifying crucial areas for improvement, including enhancements to the onboarding system. We continuously updated the game based on this feedback, prioritizing the voices of our community.

Our endeavor to build a strong community led us to launch on Meta App Lab and Steam for Early Access in late May. Within a short four-month period, the game garnered over 100,000 installations, a testament to the power of community support.

We rolled up our sleeves and tirelessly worked on X8 after the Early Access release. Our team fixed hundreds of bugs, fine-tuned game balance, fulfilled player requests, such as incorporating knife-throwing mechanics, cross-platform party code invites, and improved quality of life features for custom games. Additionally, we established links to our community-made ranked game discord and implemented a streamlined reporting and blocking system.

This ongoing collaboration with our dedicated player base greatly influenced the final game. X8’s launch would not have been possible without our incredible community and their invaluable feedback.

Pioneering the Future: X8’s Role in Shaping VR Esports

One of our most audacious goals with X8 is to make VR esports a mainstream phenomenon. We firmly believe in the growth potential of VR and are committed to leading this movement.

Our commitment to VR esports is evident through the three VR esports events we hosted for X8, including an Early Access Invitational Tournament in May and a groundbreaking tournament at the Tokyo Game Show in September. This event marked Japan’s first-ever VR esports event, setting a precedent for the future.

Revolutionizing Competitive Gaming: Introducing the Official X8 League

In August, in collaboration with VR esports organization, Virtual Athletics League (VAL), we launched the initial trial of our first official Early Access X8 League. The successful eight-week season kicked off in late September, featuring thrilling 5v5 demolition matches each week. Players eagerly competed to climb the rankings and secure their share of the substantial $10,000 cash prize pool. This significant prize pool underscores our unwavering dedication to promoting VR esports and providing unparalleled competitive opportunities.

The Exclusive Founder’s Pack: Unlocking Mythical Power

As we prepare for the official launch, we are pleased to introduce the Founder’s pack, ‘Mythos,’ which includes exclusive weapons forged of Atlantean Ores by skilled eremite hands. This pack features The Knife ‘Evenstar,’ The Pistol ‘Prelude,’ The Auto Pistol ‘Chronos,’ and The Tactical Rifle ‘Genesis,’ each designed to vanquish Demi-gods.

To show our gratitude to the early access community and our Discord family, we will be offering the Watermelon blade, pistol, and SMG for free in the upcoming weeks. Don’t miss out on these exclusive rewards!

The Power of Free: X8’s Path to Accessibility

The decision to make X8 a ‘Free to Play’ game was deliberate and inspired by the success of non-VR shooter games like Overwatch, Apex Legends, and VALORANT, which thrived under the free-to-play model. As pioneers of VR esports, we envision a future where anyone can play VR games freely, akin to engaging in traditional sports with minimal equipment. By embracing the ‘Free to Play’ model, we ensure that X8 remains accessible to a wide range of players, offering equal opportunities for everyone to compete and achieve greatness.

Join the X8 Revolution: Shaping VR Gaming and Esports Together

X8 represents more than just a game; it is a movement. As a VR-native multiplayer hero shooter designed to push the boundaries of virtual reality, X8 places a strong emphasis on community engagement, esports, and unwavering commitment to quality. Our journey has only just begun, and we eagerly invite you to join us on this extraordinary adventure.

Welcome to the world of X8, where together, we will shape the future of VR gaming and VR esports. X8 is available now for free download on the Meta Quest Store and can also be purchased on Steam for $9.99.