Image, aside from Rarity Sniper logo, by self-taught Web3 graphic artist Misoev.
Although memecoins have taken center stage this bull market, many still believe in Web3 gaming and the open metaverse. One of those companies is Crucible, which has amassed some major partnerships and unveiled two blueprints for bringing the vision of this interoperable, digital world to fruition.
Aleissia Laidacker, Head of Tech/Product at Crucible, is a firm believer in this vision. With over 20 years of experience in advanced technologies and gaming, including some time at Ubisoft, she is in charge of developing the tech that will help give birth to the open metaverse.
We sat down with her to get her thoughts on Web3 gaming, her journey, and more.
First, could you introduce yourself and the role you play at Crucible?
Hey, my name is Aleissia, and I’m the Head of Tech/Product at Crucible. My role involves overseeing the development and implementation of our core technologies leading a team of devoted game and full stack devs. Our core tech includes the Emergence SDK, which is central to our vision of creating an open, interoperable metaverse.
What is the genesis story of Emergence — how did it begin?
We started from our recognition of the limitations in current gaming ecosystems, particularly around the ownership and interoperability of digital assets. We saw an opportunity to leverage blockchain technology to address these issues. Our goal was to create tools that enable developers to integrate blockchain mechanics seamlessly into their games, thus fostering a more interconnected and versatile gaming environment. The Emergence SDK was born from this vision, aiming to simplify and enhance the development of interoperable assets and experiences across different platforms.
How is Emergence furthering along the development of the Open Metaverse?
For us, the Open Metaverse is about giving players agency and letting developers innovate. This can be accomplished through interoperability and the rights to own your game assets.
Our SDK was focused to make this easy to implement. Developers can get started in minutes. Behind the scenes, we have technology that includes things like dynamic metadata, which lets traits carry over from one game world to another.
By the major game engines (Unity and Unreal), we’re supporting thousands of developers who have downloaded our tools. Additionally, our partnerships with Lamina1 and Futureverse are helping all of us to establish and promote industry standards for asset interoperability and user experience.
What is the Emergence SDK and Hub?
The Emergence SDK is a comprehensive toolkit designed to help developers integrate blockchain technology into their games and virtual worlds. It simplifies the processes of sign-on, recording transactions to the blockchain, and managing interoperable assets.
The Hub is our more public-facing platform. It includes a Marketplace for interoperable game assets, and tools for creators. Our goal is to have a one-stop resource for everyone – players, creators, developers and collectors.
What do you believe the Open Metaverse can do for gamers – and perhaps society as a whole?
The Open Metaverse has the potential to revolutionize the gaming experience by giving players true ownership of their digital assets and the ability to use them across different games and platforms. This fosters a more immersive and engaging experience, as players can carry their favorite avatars, items, and achievements with them wherever they go. On a broader scale, the Open Metaverse can promote creativity, collaboration, and economic opportunities by enabling a more decentralized and user-driven digital economy.
What in your career path led you to the exciting world of Web3?
I’ve always been passionate about new and emerging technologies. When I first got into game development, 20+ years ago, I was attracted to the side of Game AI, and how we could take advantage of the ever evolving hardware stack from gaming consoles, to create more robust gaming systems. When I led the Gameplay & AI teams at Ubisoft, on the Assassin’s Creed games, we were one of the first games to have NPC crowds of 10k+ characters on screen, that had goals and personalities of their own. That technology is still a big inspiration to many of the games we see today.
I made the leap to Augmented Reality, when I saw the potential of being able to bring gaming and storytelling to the real world around us via AR. I joined Magic Leap during the early years and got to see the technology evolve and the hardware become more and more accessible to users.
Web3 to me was another example of new tech that could be used to pioneer the world of gaming and immersive experiences. When I encountered blockchain and Web3, I saw a powerful tool to address long-standing issues in the gaming industry, such as asset ownership and interoperability. This realization inspired me to join Crucible and work on pioneering solutions that leverage Web3 to create a more open and interconnected digital world
Do you see any differences working in traditional gaming versus crypto gaming?
I’ve been lucky because I’ve worked for both big established game companies, like Ubisoft, well-funded start-ups like Magic Leap, and now Crucible. The one thing about Web3 that’s really different from traditional gaming has been the sense that you’re part of a larger movement, and that not EVERYTHING is about selling games or monetizing players.
What are the pros of using Web3 tech for games – blockchain, NFTs, etc.?
Web3 technologies bring several advantages to gaming. Blockchain ensures transparent and secure ownership of digital assets, providing players with true control over their in-game items. NFTs enable unique and verifiable digital collectibles, enhancing the value and uniqueness of game assets. Interoperability facilitated by Web3 allows for seamless movement of assets across different games and platforms, creating a more cohesive and engaging experience. Furthermore, decentralized economies and marketplaces empower players and creators to monetize their efforts in new and innovative ways.
Talk a little bit about Emergence’s upcoming marketplace. When does it launch, who will it serve?
The Emergence Marketplace is set to launch later this summer. It is designed to serve developers, content creators, and artists by providing a platform to create, trade, and manage interoperable digital assets. The marketplace will offer tools to ensure that assets are immediately usable across various games and platforms, promoting a more connected and dynamic metaverse. Our focus is on creating a user-friendly and immersive experience, with features like 3D spaces where users can test and interact with their assets.
What is a day in the life of a member on your team?
A typical day for a member of our team involves a mix of collaborative meetings, development sprints, and problem-solving sessions. We work closely with developers, designers, and other stakeholders to refine our products and ensure they meet the needs of our users. Team members are encouraged to experiment with new ideas, participate in brainstorming sessions, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our tools and platforms. It’s a dynamic and fast-paced environment where innovation and creativity are highly valued.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to emphasize that the journey we are on with Emergence and the Open Metaverse is just beginning. We are excited about the possibilities and committed to creating a more open, user-centric digital world. We welcome collaboration and feedback from the community as we continue to develop and refine our tools. Together, we can build a more interconnected and immersive future for gaming and beyond.
Where can our readers find you?
Readers can find us at our website www.emergence.site and follow us on our social media channel. We regularly share updates, insights, and opportunities for collaboration. We look forward to engaging with the community and driving the future of the Open Metaverse together.
If you liked this interview, check out some of our others:
- Sniper Spotlight with Omar Hernandez from Cosmicrafts
- Sniper Spotlight: Decentraland’s First-Ever Web3 Game Expo with Bay Backner
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