FAM Newsletter #33 11/25/2024 - Major_Malfunction

Greetings, FAM members and Web3 Community!

Welcome to another exciting week of the FAM newsletter! This week, we're highlighting a truly unique member of our community—Major_Malfunction, proving that there's no upper age limit to diving into the Web3 Game Arena. As our oldest known FAM member, Major_Malfunction shares his inspiring journey and insights into the world of Web3. We’re also taking a close look at the multiple events happening in Phase 1 of WorldShards, giving you our take on which competitions are worth the grind and which you might want to pass on. Plus, the recent changes to famguild.com are simply stunning, making it easier than ever to enjoy seamless viewing of ongoing FAM streams—whether it's gaming strategies, interesting discussions, or just keeping the community connected and entertained. A big shoutout to Metaverz for these fantastic updates that make our experience even better!

Excited to Jump into Big Time?

If you've been waiting to explore Big Time's universe, now is your moment! Use one of these referral codes to dive in and join an action-packed Web3 gaming experience like no other. Act fast—these codes expire on December 2nd, 2024 and are one-time use only. If none are available, feel free to reach out to me on Discord.

Referral Links:

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4. EAQRM-75GUJ-2N34K-IOTEV

5. GHFVW-0D26N-KMT5N-ODXN3

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7. QS00X-48P7V-12DD4-KQI67

8. R92P2-GYZST-S1HUW-2M5K0

9. RPCHD-DRBL2-2MPJL-396Z2

10. TZPOG-ENCQI-LH0EH-ZCH72

And remember to use creator code BILLIONFOOTBALL when making any Openloot purchases, or simply click here to add it to your account: Set Creator Code.

See you in the game!

Let’s Talk WorldShards: Leaderboards in Phase 1 Explained (AND IT’S NOT TOO LATE FOR SOME!!)

The recent WorldShards AMA at the end of October covered a wide range of important updates, focusing primarily on the ongoing events happening during Phase 1 of the economy launch. The developers explained the timeline and purpose of these events, emphasizing community engagement and ensuring a smooth rollout of the new economy. The first phase includes four main events: WorldShards Trials, Craft'em All, Rune & Essence Rush, and the New Beginnings Contest, all designed to provide exciting challenges and rewarding opportunities for both new and veteran players. Each event provides a unique experience, encouraging players to test new mechanics, hone their crafting skills, gather valuable resources, and showcase their creativity in building contests. The AMA also highlighted the importance of player feedback to ensure the success of these initiatives, inviting all community members to participate actively.

WorldShards Trials Event
The WorldShards Trials event runs from November 18th to December 9th, and its purpose is to test the new token drop mechanics before their official release. Players can gather 'Shards Fragments' by defeating enemies on Wild Islands, which can be exchanged for Winner's ribbons at the end of the event. To participate, players must charge their collectibles at a Workbench, enabling the 'Attraction Force' buff, which influences how many fragments are dropped. Players are divided into different leagues based on their Attraction Force score, ensuring fair competition. At the conclusion of the event, players can exchange their Winner's ribbons for valuable NFT items at the merchant Flea. This event provides a great opportunity for players to familiarize themselves with upcoming economic features while also earning exclusive items. By balancing leagues based on Attraction Force, even new players can compete on a level playing field, enhancing the community experience. The WorldShards Trials event will be a grind to catch up, but it is not impossible if players strategically choose which leaderboard to aim for, such as focusing on the common or uncommon categories instead of trying to compete in the rare leaderboard. This event leans towards favoring returning or veteran WorldShards players due to the familiarity and preparation needed, but new players still have opportunities if they approach it wisely.

Craft'em All Event
The Craft'em All event, taking place from November 9th to December 16th, challenges players to craft as many items as possible. The event features two leaderboards—one for crafting collectible items and another for regular items—encouraging players to participate in both. The more complex the item, the more points a player earns, which incentivizes players to craft high-quality, valuable items. Additionally, a raffle will be held for every 300 participants who collect at least 5,000 points, giving players an extra chance to win exclusive items. This event celebrates creativity and the art of crafting while rewarding players for their efforts. With two separate leaderboards, players can choose to focus on either type of crafting or both, making it accessible for all playstyles. The raffle element adds an exciting layer of unpredictability, allowing participants to feel like they have multiple chances to win big, regardless of leaderboard standings. The Craft'em All event is one where anything can happen, especially due to the RNG factor. If a player purchases higher rarity artifacts, even one or two high-level crafts can propel them into a competitive position, making it possible to catch up even if starting late. While the event does favor currently invested players, it is still open to anyone willing to put in the effort and invest—at the right price!

Rune & Essence Rush Event
The Rune & Essence Rush event, running from November 9th to December 16th, is all about gathering Runes and Essences to earn Rush Points. Players automatically collect points as they gather these resources during gameplay, with rewards being distributed based on leaderboard rankings. Those who reach 150,000 Rush Points will also qualify for a raffle, where additional prize bundles will be added for every 400 participants who hit the milestone. This event provides players an opportunity to showcase their resource collection skills and compete for exclusive rewards. The leaderboard encourages a spirit of competition, while the raffle offers additional incentives for active participation, making the event intriguing for competitive players. However, the Rune & Essence Rush event will be a significant challenge for those not playing more than 10+ hours a day. At this point, it may be a long shot for new participants to jump in and legitimately compete, as the leaderboard positions will be dominated by the most dedicated players.

New Beginnings Contest
The New Beginnings Contest invites players to build the most beautiful house in WorldShards and share their creations via a short video. Running until December 9th, this contest challenges players to use their creativity and architectural skills. Winners will be selected through an internal vote by the WorldShards team, with the top three contestants receiving unique Islands of Tranquility. Additionally, there is an Audience Choice Award, voted on via Twitter, for the top 16 contestants with the most "🔥" reactions on Discord. Participants who receive over 20 "🔥" reactions will also receive an NFT lootbox, ensuring that everyone has a chance to win something for their efforts. The contest not only highlights the creativity of the WorldShards community but also promotes social engagement through Discord and Twitter. With multiple ways to win and the emphasis on community feedback, the event encourages players to put their best creative foot forward while engaging with fellow community members. The New Beginnings Contest is truly for everyone, with plenty of time to get involved before it ends. There is even a guaranteed NFT lootbox for all players whose homes receive at least 20 fire emojis, providing a great incentive for everyone to participate. Players should not wait, as it may take some time to gather the necessary reactions from the community!

These events represent an exciting opportunity for both new and active players to engage in WorldShards' evolving economy. Whether you enjoy crafting, resource gathering, or designing beautiful in-game structures, there is something for everyone. The variety of challenges and rewards ensures that all types of players can find an event to enjoy and benefit from, making this phase of the economy launch a vibrant and dynamic experience. Players are encouraged to stay involved and keep an eye on official WorldShards announcements via Discord for news about upcoming features and events. Engaging in these activities also allows players to familiarize themselves with new game mechanics, earn exclusive items, and contribute to the development of the WorldShards community as it continues to grow.

FAM Guild Activities Update

Today is a huge day for the Web3 gaming community—our FAM streamers are hosting giveaways all day long for BossFighters, and you do not want to miss this! 🎉 We're giving away NFTs, showrunner contracts, USDC, and so much more! This is a massive opportunity to get your hands on some incredible rewards while joining in on the BossFighters hype. Check out who’s streaming and giving away these amazing prizes over at famguild.com! Below, you’ll find the full schedule for all the streamers involved today, Monday 11/25/2024. Let’s go!!!

FAM RENTALS ARE BACK! Headed up by our Community Manager, ExoticNFT, FAM is back to offering rentals to our members! While marketplace discounts are currently deactivated, we will be offering up to 10% discount on initial postings for all inventory (while supplies last). Please be mindful of the rules — you can read all the rules for rentals in the #fam-guild-rentals channel. Take advantage of these low market prices with an additional 10% off while the opportunity is still here!

The FAM Stream Team continues to offer 24/7 content for all Web3 games! If you're interested in learning more about Big Time, World Shards, Illuvium, BossFighters or any of the other FAM favorites, visit a FAM streamer live; you can find who is streaming now at https://famguild.com. They are ready to answer your questions and share in the journey providing you with immediate access to play, quality insights, and shared experiences in all aspects of Web3 gaming.

The current list of FAM discord channels dedicated to supporting our favorite Web3 projects* includes Big Time, BOSSFIGHTERS, Illuvium, Off The Grid, Lumiterra, MetalCore, XOCIETY, World Shards, UNIOVERSE, Shrapnel, Hunters On Chain, Nyan Heroes, Guild of Guardians, Seraph, Night Crows, Entropia, RavenQuest, and Earth From Another Sun.
*Note: We have game leaders within each of these spaces; if you would like to know more information about any of these games, start the conversation in any of the dedicated channels!

Always stay up to date by visiting our continuously improving website (https://famguild.com), watching the FAM Stream Team (broadcasting 24/7 on Twitch), and being a part of the FAM discord.

Spotlight FAM Community Member: Major_Malfunction

Major_Malfunction's entry into the Web3 gaming world wasn't driven by crypto—it was all about the games. As a sci-fi enthusiast, he was naturally drawn to the genre and, when a great sci-fi-themed game crossed his radar, it quickly made its way onto his list of games to play. This led him to Off The Grid, which marked his first real foray into crypto gaming. He didn't come into Web3 specifically searching for blockchain elements, but rather, he was looking for engaging gameplay and found himself intrigued by how Web3 could amplify that experience.

For Major_Malfunction, it's always been about the gameplay first, and the crypto aspect second. He’s particularly fond of looter shooters, battle royales, and RPG/adventure games. The idea of finding in-game items and taking real ownership of them was what initially sparked his interest in Web3 gaming. His background in finance and securities gave him some insight into crypto assets, blockchain, and NFTs, so he wasn't entirely surprised when these technologies made their way into gaming. However, the excitement surrounding them in gaming circles did catch him a bit off guard, but he soon saw how the element of “wheeling and dealing” added a unique layer of fun to the gaming experience.

Playtesting and being involved in the early release of Off The Grid really sold Major_Malfunction on the potential of crypto integration in gaming. He recalls how watching in-game assets rise and dip in value, much like real-world securities, opened his eyes to how blockchain and market interfaces could enhance engagement beyond just gameplay. "Having come from the world of finance and securities, the topics of crypto assets, blockchain, and NFTs were a part of my world in the workspace. I was not surprised to see them make their way into the gaming world, but was a little surprised at all the excitement around it in gaming circles." He saw the potential of what blockchain technology could do for gaming and believes this is a significant development. Not only is Off The Grid an outstanding game on its own, but the integrated $GUN token and Hex NFTs create an infrastructure that allows players to become stakeholders in the game's future, rather than just passive participants.

Being a part of the Web3 community is something Major_Malfunction greatly values. Through Off The Grid, he met several Web3 gamers who introduced him to the FAM community, which he found to be both welcoming and genuinely fun to be around. He always looks forward to joining the FAM members for gameplay. Over the past year, he has focused on learning more about Web3 gaming, contributing to gameplay feedback, and playing an active role in shaping experiences. With over 30 years of gaming experience, he’s confident that his contributions have made a positive impact on the games he's supported, including Off The Grid. "If you like the Ripper or Slugger, I was a big cheerleader for those!" he adds with a smile. Recently retired, he’s more focused on providing feedback than organizing events, but he’s happy with this new chapter of his journey.

Off The Grid had the most significant impact on Major_Malfunction, serving as the project that brought everything about Web3 gaming into focus. "It was THE crypto game that made it all click for me," he explains enthusiastically. The way it merged blockchain technology, NFTs, and in-game markets redefined his understanding of gaming's potential. He appreciated how the integration of these elements not only added a new layer to the game but did so without compromising the gameplay experience. Instead, it enhanced the immersion, creating a model that he believes more developers should strive to follow.

Looking forward, Major_Malfunction believes that a major innovation for Web3 gaming will be the seamless integration of crypto wallets into games, making tokens from different games portable, transferable, and tradable on open markets. He also predicts that, in the future, game companies will opt to partner with specialized crypto experts for blockchain integration, much like how many developers currently use engines like Unreal instead of building from scratch. This kind of collaboration could help the Web3 gaming industry reach its full potential more efficiently.

For newcomers to the space, his advice is simple: do your research, be skeptical, and don't blindly follow the hype. "Caveat Emptor—let the buyer beware! Make sure to keep an eye on the securities space, as significant legislation and regulation have crypto assets in their crosshairs." His background in finance gives him a pragmatic view of the risks, but he still embraces the enthusiasm and creativity that Web3 brings to gaming. He urges others to educate themselves on crypto, blockchain, and NFTs, but to also approach the space cautiously and be aware of the potential for regulatory impacts.

Since retiring from the financial world, Major_Malfunction has had more time to enjoy his hobbies, including gaming in all its forms—board games, tabletop miniatures, card games, and of course, computer games. Outside of gaming, he keeps busy with his hobby farm, where he raises chickens and grows a variety of fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, figs, muscadines, and persimmons. There’s always something to do, and he finds joy in the balance between gaming and working on the farm. Gaming is his passion, but the farm offers a different kind of satisfaction, one that keeps him grounded and engaged in the physical world.

This interview was not recorded but you can find out more about Major_Malfunction by visiting him in FAM Discord here:
Discord - https://discord.gg/CEzuKDW57j

Thank you for being a part of our vibrant community. Your passion and engagement are what make the FAM Guild truly extraordinary. Let's keep building, exploring, and achieving together in the exciting world of Web3 Gaming.

Until next time, game on, FAM!

The FAM Guild Team