Upland, a revolutionary real estate collection and trading game based on blockchain technology, has successfully secured an additional $7 million in funding for its Series A round.
Leading this investment is EOS Network Ventures, marking their initial venture into the realm of crypto gaming. This injection of fresh capital, with contributions from existing investors C3 Venture Capital and Animoca Brands, is intended to fuel the expansion of the Upland game.
Upland’s unique feature allows players to buy and sell digital versions of real-world properties on a virtual map. Following the initial $18 million Series A round in 2021, this new round of funding aims to not only enhance gameplay but also strengthen the game’s marketing strategy.
In a strategic move to increase exposure and attract a larger player base, Upland plans to offer tools for external developers to introduce new features and extensions. One exciting development on the horizon is the introduction of an Ethereum token called “Sparklet,” which will be linked to the current in-game utility token, potentially making a significant impact on Upland’s presence in the broader crypto market.
Despite the declining popularity of the EOS network, Upland’s decision to build its platform on EOS was deliberate. CEO Dirk Lueth explained that back in 2018 when Upland was established, EOS was among the few viable blockchains for such a project. With the capability to mint 80 NFTs per second, thanks to EOS’s technical features, Upland has found success in its choice.
The involvement of EOS Network Ventures in Upland’s Series A extension demonstrates their continued belief in the project’s vision and technical capabilities. The recent funding round not only aims to enhance the in-game experience but also expand the utility token, Spark, onto the Ethereum blockchain as Sparklet to increase Upland’s visibility in the market.
Additionally, Upland’s partnership with the NFL Players Association introduces new NFLPA Bundle types, promising an enhanced gaming experience for the 2023-2024 season. This collaboration will feature gamified digital collectibles of NFL players, community activities, and shops celebrating previous seasons.
Looking at the bigger picture in blockchain gaming, industry leaders like SEGA’s co-COO Shuji Utsumi and Double Jump Tokyo CEO Hironobu Ueno foresee a future where blockchain technology plays a significant role in the gaming industry. With the rise of popular blockchain games in Asia like Axie Infinity and STEPN, the region’s gaming market is on the upswing, indicating a positive trend towards blockchain adoption in gaming.