ZED Champions: The Rise of a New Digital Horse Racing Era

Introduction: Galloping into the Future of Gaming

John: Welcome, readers, to another exploration into the vibrant world of GameFi. Today, we’re diving deep into a project that truly captured the imagination of many in the early days of play-to-earn gaming and is now embarking on an exciting new chapter: ZED RUN, and its evolution into ZED Champions. The concept of owning, breeding, and racing digital assets has proven to be a powerful one, and ZED RUN was at the forefront of this movement in the digital horse racing sphere.

Lila: Hi everyone! I’m Lila, and I’m thrilled to be joining John on this. I’ve heard so much about ZED RUN – it sounds like it really made waves! So, John, for those who might be new to this, or perhaps heard the name but don’t know the details, what exactly was ZED RUN?

John: ZED RUN, at its core, is a blockchain-based digital horse racing game. Developed by Virtually Human Studio, it allowed players to truly own their racehorses as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), breed them to create new, unique offspring, and race them against other players for real cryptocurrency rewards. It was a pioneer in demonstrating how blockchain technology could create new forms of gameplay and economic models within games.

Lila: NFTs – so each horse was genuinely unique and belonged to the player, like a digital collectible you could actually *do* things with? That’s cool! But I’ve also seen some news, like from Blockchaingamer.biz (SERP 2), that ZED RUN has been discontinued to make way for something called ZED Champions. What’s the story there?

John: That’s correct, Lila. After a significant run of about six years, as reported in early February 2025 (SERP 2, 13), Virtually Human Studio announced the discontinuation of the original ZED RUN. This wasn’t an end, but rather a transformation. They’ve channeled their experience and community feedback into a new, revamped version called ZED Champions. Think of it as ZED RUN evolving – taking the core concepts that made it popular and aiming to enhance them on a new technical foundation with fresh features.

Lila: So, we’re looking at the legacy of a trailblazer and the dawn of its successor? That sounds like a fascinating journey to explore! Where do we begin with understanding what made ZED RUN so special, and what ZED Champions promises?

John: Precisely. We’ll start by looking at the foundational elements of ZED RUN – what it offered players – and then explore how ZED Champions is building upon that legacy. It’s a story of innovation, community, and the continuous evolution that’s characteristic of the Web3 space.

Overview & Key Features: More Than Just a Day at the Races

John: The fundamental appeal of ZED RUN, and now ZED Champions, lies in its simulation of the thoroughbred horse racing world, but with a digital, blockchain-powered twist. Players, or stable owners as they’re often called, engage in several key activities: owning, breeding, and racing digital racehorses.

Lila: So, it’s like managing your own high-tech stable, but instead of hay and horseshoes, you’re dealing with pixels and private keys?

John: An apt analogy, Lila. Let’s break down the key features that defined the ZED RUN experience, which are largely carried forward and enhanced in ZED Champions:

• Digital Horse Ownership: This is paramount. Each racehorse in ZED RUN is an NFT, specifically an ERC-721 token on the blockchain. This means players have verifiable, true ownership of their horses. They aren’t just in-game items controlled by the developer; they are assets that can be held, traded, or sold on open NFT marketplaces.
• Breeding: Stable owners can breed their male (stallion) and female (mare) racehorses to create new offspring. These offspring inherit genetic traits from their parents, including bloodline and genotype, leading to a deep strategic element in creating future champions.
• Racing: This is where the adrenaline kicks in. Horses compete in 24/7 races against others from around the globe. Races vary in distance, entry fees, and prize pools, offering opportunities for horses of different calibers.
• Strategic Depth: Success isn’t just about owning a rare horse. It involves understanding a horse’s bloodline, genotype, racing statistics, preferred distances, and even the subtle influence of track conditions (though this was more nuanced). Race selection becomes a critical skill.
• Play-to-Earn (P2E) Mechanics: A core component of its GameFi nature. Winning races typically yields rewards in the game’s native currency, the ZED Token. This created an economic loop where skilled players or those with strong horses could earn tangible value.

Lila: You mentioned NFTs and true ownership. That must have been a huge draw, right? Knowing your horse is *yours* and not just a temporary license in a traditional game.

John: Absolutely. That sense of true digital ownership, scarcity, and the potential for an asset to appreciate in value based on its rarity, genetics, or race performance was a game-changer for many. It’s what distinguishes blockchain games from their traditional counterparts. Each horse, as an NFT, has a unique ID, a distinct lineage, and a recorded history on the blockchain, making it verifiably one-of-a-kind.

Lila: And the breeding aspect – “creating future champions” – sounds like it adds a whole other layer of engagement. Is it purely random, or is there science to it, so to speak?

John: It’s a mix, designed to mimic some of the complexities of real-world thoroughbred breeding. ZED RUN introduced distinct bloodlines: Nakamoto (the rarest), Szabo, Finney, and Buterin (the most common). Each bloodline has inherent traits and perceived strengths or weaknesses. Offspring inherit their bloodline from one of their parents. Then there’s the genotype (Z-number), which indicates how far removed a horse is from its original Z1 (Nakamoto) or Z2 (Szabo) ancestors. Lower Z-numbers are generally rarer and often considered more potent in breeding. While there’s an algorithm determining the outcome, which includes some randomness, breeders look for strong parentage to increase their chances of producing a successful racer.

Lila: Wow, Nakamoto, Szabo, Finney, Buterin… named after crypto pioneers! That’s a neat touch. It really does sound like there’s a lot for players to sink their teeth into beyond just clicking “race.”

John: Indeed. The combination of collecting rare assets, the strategic depth of breeding and racing, and the economic incentives created a compelling loop that kept players engaged for years. And these are the core pillars that ZED Champions aims to preserve and build upon.

Technical Elements: Under the Hood of Digital Horseracing

John: To make all this digital ownership, breeding, and racing possible and verifiable, ZED RUN relied heavily on blockchain technology. Initially, the game was built and operated primarily on the Polygon network (formerly Matic Network), as noted by sources like CoinGecko (SERP 6).

Lila: Polygon? I’ve heard of it. It’s often mentioned in the context of Ethereum, right? Why did they choose Polygon for ZED RUN?

John: You’re right, Lila. Polygon is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum. Think of it as an express lane built alongside a busy highway. Ethereum, while very secure and decentralized, can sometimes experience high transaction fees (known as gas fees) and slower transaction times, especially during peak demand. For a game like ZED RUN, with frequent actions like race entries, breeding, and NFT transfers, relying solely on the Ethereum mainnet would have been prohibitively expensive and slow for many users. Polygon offered significantly lower fees and faster transactions, making the game more accessible and enjoyable.

Lila: That makes sense! So, faster and cheaper operations for players. Now, you mentioned ZED Champions is making a move. Where is it heading, and why the change?

John: That’s a key part of the evolution. As reported by NFT Insider (SERP 8) and other sources around April 2025, ZED Run is relaunching as ZED Champions on the Base blockchain. Base is another Ethereum Layer 2 solution, but this one was incubated by Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges.

Lila: Base, incubated by Coinbase… interesting! What are the perceived advantages of moving to Base for ZED Champions?

John: The move to Base is strategic. Base aims to provide secure, low-cost, developer-friendly Ethereum L2 access. By leveraging Base, ZED Champions likely hopes to achieve even greater scalability, lower transaction costs for players, and potentially easier onboarding for new users, especially those already within the Coinbase ecosystem. It also signals an alignment with a growing and well-supported L2 network. The official ZED Champions website (SERP 4) highlights this new era, and the move to Base is a significant technical aspect of that.

John: Underpinning all these operations, on both Polygon for ZED RUN and now Base for ZED Champions, are smart contracts. These are self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code. They manage the creation (minting) of horse NFTs, the logic of breeding, the execution of races, and the distribution of prize money, all in a transparent and automated way on the blockchain.

Lila: So, smart contracts are like the digital referees and record-keepers, ensuring everything runs fairly and transparently according to the game’s rules?

John: Precisely. They are crucial for establishing trust and verifiability in a decentralized gaming environment. This technological backbone is what allows ZED Champions to offer a “skill-based experience” with “real money prizes,” as they state on their community site (SERP 10).

NFT & Blockchain Usage: The DNA of Digital Champions

John: We’ve touched on NFTs, but let’s delve deeper into how central they are to the ZED ecosystem. As I mentioned, the racehorses in ZED RUN, and continuing in ZED Champions, are Non-Fungible Tokens. Specifically, they are typically ERC-721 tokens, a widely adopted standard on Ethereum and compatible Layer 2 networks like Polygon and Base.

Lila: ERC-721… I know that one! It’s the standard that ensures each token is unique and not interchangeable, like digital art or collectibles, right? So every ZED horse has its own distinct identity on the blockchain?

John: Exactly. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ether, where one unit is identical to another (fungible), each ERC-721 token is unique and indivisible. This is perfect for representing one-of-a-kind assets like a specific racehorse with its unique bloodline, genotype, gender, color, statistics, and race history. This uniqueness is recorded on the blockchain, providing a transparent and immutable record of ownership and provenance.

Lila: So, if I owned a ZED RUN horse on Polygon, and now ZED Champions is on Base, what happens to my horse? Do I have to start over?

John: That’s a crucial question for existing players. The transition involves bridging assets. According to Phantom.com’s information on the ZED Token (SERP 12), the ZED Token, which was originally on Polygon, can be bridged to Base for use in ZED Champions. While specific details for horse NFT migration would be outlined by Virtually Human Studio, the principle of bridging assets between compatible chains is well-established in the crypto world. The aim is always to ensure players can carry their valuable assets into the new iteration of the game.

John: Now, let’s talk about the in-game currency. The ZED Token ($ZED) is the native utility token of the ecosystem. As CoinGecko (SERP 6) and other sources describe, it’s central to the game’s economy. Players use $ZED for various activities:

• Race Entry Fees: To participate in races, players pay an entry fee in $ZED.
• Breeding Fees: Breeding horses also typically incurs a cost in $ZED.
• Prize Winnings: Winners of races are rewarded in $ZED.
• Marketplace Transactions: While horses themselves are NFTs often traded for ETH or stablecoins on marketplaces, $ZED can be involved in various ecosystem services.

The tokenomics are designed to create a self-sustaining economy within the game.

Lila: So, $ZED is essentially the lifeblood of the ZED RUN and ZED Champions world, fueling all the exciting activities. How do players typically get their hands on $ZED?

John: There are a few avenues. Players can earn $ZED by performing well in races. They can also acquire $ZED tokens from various cryptocurrency exchanges where it is listed. With the move to Base, the accessibility of $ZED within that ecosystem will also be a key factor. The ZED Token itself, being a cryptocurrency, can also be traded or held by users.

Lila: And the fact that horses are NFTs means I can trade them outside the game too, right? On places like OpenSea?

John: Correct. That’s one of the powerful aspects of using NFTs. Your ZED RUN (and presumably ZED Champions) horses can be listed, bought, and sold on third-party NFT marketplaces that support the underlying blockchain (Polygon for the originals, Base for the new generation). This creates a player-driven secondary market, where the value of horses can fluctuate based on demand, rarity, performance, and breeding potential. It truly empowers players by giving them control over their assets beyond the confines of the game itself.

Getting Started: Your First Steps into the Digital Paddock

John: For anyone intrigued by the prospect of owning and racing digital thoroughbreds, getting started in ZED RUN (historically) and now ZED Champions involves a few key steps common to most GameFi projects.

Lila: Okay, walk us through it, John! If I wanted to build my own digital racing empire in ZED Champions, what’s the onboarding process like?

John: First and foremost, you’ll need a compatible cryptocurrency wallet. This is your gateway to the Web3 world, allowing you to interact with the blockchain, store your NFTs (your horses), and manage your $ZED tokens. For Base, wallets like MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or others that support the Base network would be suitable.

1. Set up a Crypto Wallet: If you don’t have one, you’ll need to download and set up a self-custodial wallet. Remember to securely store your seed phrase – that’s your master key!
2. Connect to ZED Champions: You’ll then visit the official ZED Champions website (zedchampions.com, SERP 4) and connect your wallet to the platform. This allows the game to recognize your assets and identity on the blockchain.
3. Acquire a Racehorse: This is where the fun begins. You’ll need at least one horse to race. Historically, ZED RUN had “drops” where new horses were sold. For ZED Champions, you’ll likely acquire horses through the official platform or on secondary NFT marketplaces. Horses vary significantly in price based on their attributes.
4. Get Some $ZED Tokens: As we discussed, $ZED is essential for gameplay. You’ll need it for race entry fees and potentially breeding. You can acquire $ZED from supported cryptocurrency exchanges or by earning it in the game.

Lila: So, a digital wallet, then my first digital horse! You mentioned horses have different attributes. What should a newcomer look for when picking their first horse? It sounds like there’s a lot to consider – bloodlines, genotypes…

John: There is. It can be a bit daunting at first, but also part of the strategic appeal.

• Bloodlines: As mentioned, there are four: Nakamoto (rarest, often considered premium), Szabo, Finney, and Buterin (most common). Nakamotos and Szabos are generally more sought after for their perceived racing and breeding prowess, but Finneys and Buterins can still be very competitive and are more accessible.
• Genotype: This is the Z-number, ranging from Z1 (purest Nakamoto) up to Z268. Lower Z-numbers indicate a horse is closer to its original ancestors and are rarer. A horse’s genotype is determined by its parents’ Z-numbers.
• Breed Type: Horses are also categorized by breed types like Genesis (the first generation of horses sold by ZED RUN, Z1-Z10), Legendary, Exclusive, Elite, Cross, and Pacer. Genesis horses, especially, are highly valued due to their purity and fixed supply.
• Gender: You have Stallions (male), Mares (female), and Geldings (castrated males, cannot breed). Stallions and Mares are needed for breeding.
• Past Performance (if buying a raced horse): Look at its race history – win rate, preferred distances, earnings. This gives an indication of its capabilities.

For a beginner, starting with a more common bloodline like a Finney or Buterin, perhaps with a mid-range genotype, can be a good way to learn the ropes without a massive initial investment. You can always aim to upgrade or breed better horses as you gain experience.

Lila: That’s a lot of variables! It really does sound like a “game of skill,” as their website mentions (SERP 1, 10). It’s not just about luck once the race starts; the preparation and selection seem huge.

John: Precisely. Once you have your horse and some $ZED, you can start entering races. ZED Champions, like ZED RUN, offers a variety of races:

• Free Races (often for new horses): These are great for testing your horse and understanding its preferences without risking $ZED. ZED RUN had “Maiden” races for unraced horses (SERP 9 mentioned “the next Maiden”).
• Paid Races: These require an entry fee in $ZED and offer prize pools, also in $ZED, distributed among the top finishers (usually top 3, but can vary).

Races are typically categorized by class (based on a horse’s past performance to ensure competitive matchups) and distance (ranging from sprints to marathons). Finding your horse’s “sweet spot” in terms of distance and class is key to success.

Lila: So it’s a constant process of learning about your horse, strategizing, and then testing that strategy on the track. Sounds incredibly engaging for those who love stats and competition!

John: It is. And the community around ZED RUN has always been very active, with players sharing tips, tools, and strategies. I expect the ZED Champions community, found on platforms like Reddit (r/zedrun, SERP 3, 5) and Discord, will be just as vibrant.

Reputation & Reviews: The Legacy and the Evolution

John: ZED RUN carved out a significant reputation in the GameFi space. It launched when NFTs and play-to-earn were just beginning to capture mainstream attention, and it quickly became one of the poster children for what was possible.

Lila: It really feels like it was a pioneer. What were some of the things people really loved about it?

John: The praise for ZED RUN often centered on several key aspects:

• Innovation: It was one of the first, and certainly one of the most polished, blockchain-based racing games. The concept of owning, breeding, and racing NFT horses was novel and exciting.
• Engaging Gameplay Loop: The cycle of acquiring horses, studying their potential, breeding for better traits, racing strategically, and earning rewards was highly compelling for many.
• True Digital Ownership: The NFT aspect was, and remains, a massive draw. Players appreciated owning unique assets with real-world tradable value.
• Strong Community: A passionate and knowledgeable community grew around ZED RUN, creating third-party tools, content, and vibrant discussions.
• Economic Opportunities: For some, ZED RUN provided a genuine way to earn cryptocurrency. Stories of significant wins or valuable horse sales were common, fueling interest. PlayToEarn.com mentioned that by the time of its sunset announcement, ZED RUN had seen over 420,000 virtual horses bred and $400 million in race-related transactions (SERP 16) – that indicates a massive scale of activity and economic flow.

Lila: Wow, 420,000 horses bred and $400 million in transactions! That’s incredible. It clearly had a huge impact. But no project is perfect, right? What were some of the criticisms or challenges ZED RUN faced, which ZED Champions might be aiming to address?

John: That’s right, Lila. Like many early GameFi projects navigating uncharted territory, ZED RUN encountered its share of challenges and criticisms. These are likely learning points that influenced the development of ZED Champions:

• Cost of Entry: At peak popularity, the price of competitive ZED RUN horses, especially rare Genesis or Nakamoto bloodlines, became very high. This created a barrier to entry for new players wanting to compete at top levels.
• Game Balance and “Skill vs. Luck”: While strategy is involved, there was always debate about the balance between a horse’s inherent (and sometimes hidden) abilities, RNG (Random Number Generation) in race outcomes, and true player skill in management and race selection. ZED Champions explicitly aims to be a “skill-based experience” (SERP 10), suggesting a focus on refining this balance.
• P2E Sustainability: The long-term sustainability of play-to-earn economies is a challenge for the entire GameFi sector. Ensuring a balanced flow of value and continuous engagement without relying solely on new user inflow is critical.
• Complexity for Newcomers: The depth of bloodlines, genotypes, breeding mechanics, and racing strategy, while appealing to dedicated players, could be overwhelming for absolute beginners.
• Evolution of the Meta: As with any competitive game, the “meta” (dominant strategies or horse types) could shift, sometimes leaving certain types of horses less competitive, which could be frustrating for owners.

The very decision to discontinue ZED RUN after six years and launch ZED Champions (as reported by outlets like Gam3s.gg, SERP 13, and VentureBeat, SERP 15) indicates a recognition by Virtually Human Studio that a significant overhaul and refresh was needed to address these points, inject new vitality, and ensure the long-term health of their digital horse racing ecosystem.

Lila: So, ZED Champions is like the next generation, built on all those years of experience and feedback. It’s exciting to think about how they’ll tackle those challenges and enhance the player experience. The move to Base and the mention of “major new features” (SERP 7) sound promising!

John: Precisely. It’s an evolution. The official ZED RUN website itself (zed.run, SERP 1) now likely directs to or heavily features ZED Champions (zedchampions.com, SERP 4), signaling this new focus. The aim is to create “a new era of the classic ZED RUN experience” (SERP 4, 11).

Q&A: Your Burning Questions Answered

Lila: This is all fascinating, John. I bet our readers have some specific questions. Let’s try to tackle a few common ones. First up: **Q1: Do I need to be a blockchain expert or a crypto wizard to play ZED Champions?**

John: That’s a great question, Lila, and a common concern for newcomers to GameFi. The short answer is no, you don’t need to be a blockchain expert. While ZED Champions operates on blockchain technology, the goal of developers like Virtually Human Studio is to make the user experience as smooth and intuitive as possible. You will need to understand the basics of setting up and using a crypto wallet (like MetaMask or Coinbase Wallet), how to acquire some cryptocurrency for the Base network (likely ETH for gas fees, and $ZED for in-game activities), and the concept of NFTs representing your horses. However, you don’t need to understand the intricacies of smart contract code or cryptographic algorithms to enjoy the game. The platform itself usually guides you through the necessary steps, and the ZED Champions community will undoubtedly be a helpful resource.

Lila: That’s reassuring! So, a little bit of learning on the wallet front, but you don’t need a computer science degree. Okay, next one: **Q2: We’ve talked about the ZED Token ($ZED). Can you recap what it’s used for and how a new player would typically get it?**

John: Certainly. The ZED Token ($ZED) is the official in-game utility token for the ZED Champions ecosystem, just as it was for ZED RUN. Its primary uses are:

• Race Entry Fees: To participate in most competitive races, you’ll need to pay an entry fee in $ZED.
• Breeding: Creating new racehorses through breeding often involves a $ZED fee.
• Ecosystem Rewards: Winnings from races are paid out in $ZED.
• Future Utility: As ZED Champions evolves, $ZED may be used for other features, such as the announced staking mechanism (SERP 7).

To get $ZED, players have a few options. Firstly, you can earn it by successfully racing your horses. Secondly, $ZED is listed on various cryptocurrency exchanges. You would purchase it there and then transfer it to your wallet connected to ZED Champions on the Base network. Remember, the ZED Token originally on Polygon can be bridged to Base for use in ZED Champions (SERP 12). Always use reputable exchanges and be mindful of network compatibility when transferring tokens.

Lila: Got it. So, earn it or buy it. And it’s the key to participating and benefiting from the game’s economy. Last one for this section: **Q3: My ZED racehorse is an NFT. Does that mean I can sell it or trade it freely, even outside of the ZED Champions game itself?**

John: Yes, absolutely. This is one of the core benefits of blockchain gaming and NFT ownership. Because your ZED Champions racehorse is an NFT (likely an ERC-721 token on the Base blockchain), you have true ownership of it. This means you can:

• Sell it: List your horse for sale on compatible NFT marketplaces like OpenSea or others that support Base NFTs. You can set your price, and if someone buys it, the ownership is transferred to them on the blockchain, and you receive the payment.
• Trade it: You can directly trade horses with other players, perhaps as part of a larger deal.
• Hold it: Keep it in your wallet as a collectible or for future racing and breeding.
• Use it in other compatible experiences (potentially): While not always the case, some NFTs can gain utility in other applications or metaverses if partnerships are formed.

This open market creates a dynamic economy around the horses themselves, where their value can be determined by factors like rarity, bloodline, genotype, race performance, breeding potential, and overall market demand. It’s your asset, and you have the freedom to manage it as you see fit.

Developer Info: The Minds Behind the Track

John: The driving force behind ZED RUN and its evolution into ZED Champions is a company called **Virtually Human Studio (VHS)**. They are the creators and developers of this digital horse racing universe.

Lila: Virtually Human Studio… VHS! That’s a cool name. What do we know about them? Have they been around for a while?

John: Yes, VHS has been a notable player in the Web3 gaming space for several years. ZED RUN was their flagship product, first appearing around 2019 and running for approximately six years before the transition to ZED Champions was announced in early 2025 (SERP 2, 13, 16). This longevity, in the fast-moving crypto world, speaks to their ability to build and maintain a complex project and a dedicated community. Their focus has consistently been on leveraging blockchain technology to create unique gaming experiences centered around digital ownership.

Lila: Six years is quite a run! And now they’re channeling all that experience into ZED Champions. What about any tech partners they’re working with for this new phase?

John: The most significant technology shift and partnership for ZED Champions is its launch on the **Base** blockchain. Base, being an Ethereum Layer 2 incubated by Coinbase, is a major platform. This move suggests a strategic alignment with the Base ecosystem and, by extension, potentially closer ties or easier integration points with Coinbase’s extensive user base and services. Previously, **Polygon** was the key blockchain partner for ZED RUN, providing the scalability needed at the time. The choice of blockchain infrastructure is crucial for performance, cost, and accessibility, so these are very important relationships.

Lila: That makes sense. And the roadmap for ZED Champions? What exciting developments can players look forward to? I saw something about “major new features” on their X feed!</p

John: Indeed. The transition to ZED Champions isn’t just a rebrand; it’s a significant upgrade and rework. Based on recent announcements and information from their official channels like the ZED Champions X account (`@zed_champions`, SERP 7) and community updates (SERP 9, 10):

• Launch on Base: This is fundamental, aiming for improved performance and lower costs.
• New Seasons Structure: They’ve mentioned “Season Zero and Season 1” (SERP 9, from a May 2024 update), indicating a structured approach to ongoing content and competition.
• Enhanced Skill-Based Gameplay: A strong emphasis on making it a “skill-based experience” that “rewards players for progressive behaviours” (SERP 10). This suggests refinements to racing and breeding mechanics to better reward strategic play.
• Staking $ZED: This is a major new feature. The X.com post from `@zed_champions` (SERP 7) announced that staking is rolling out in early July (presumably July 2025, given SERP dates), allowing players to stake $ZED on *any* horse to earn rewards, even if they don’t own that horse. This opens up new participation and earning avenues.
• Revamped User Experience: While not explicitly detailed in every snippet, a “reworked version of the game” (SERP 8) usually implies improvements to the user interface, onboarding, and overall player journey.
• Continued Focus on Real Money Rewards: The allure of competing for “real money prizes” remains a core part of the ZED Champions proposition (SERP 4, 10).

The ZED Champions beta was anticipated around March 2025 (SERP 15, 16), so by now, we should be seeing these features roll out or be imminent. The official website, zedchampions.com (SERP 4), and their YouTube channel (SERP 11, 14) are the best places for the latest roadmap updates.

Lila: Staking $ZED on *any* horse, even ones you don’t own? That sounds like a fantastic way for more people to get involved and have a stake in the racing outcomes without needing to own a top-tier horse themselves. It could really boost engagement!

John: It’s certainly an innovative approach to broaden participation and utility for the $ZED token. It allows for a form of ‘fantasy’ league participation with real earning potential, tied directly to the performance of horses in the ecosystem.

Summary: The Next Lap for Digital Horse Racing

John: So, to bring it all together, ZED RUN established itself as a true pioneer in the GameFi landscape. It successfully merged the passion of horse racing with the revolutionary potential of NFTs and blockchain, allowing players to experience genuine ownership, strategic breeding, and competitive racing for real rewards. It built a strong foundation and a dedicated community over its six-year tenure.

Lila: And now, that legacy is galloping forward with ZED Champions! It’s not just a new coat of paint; it’s a significant evolution. Moving to the Base blockchain, promising enhanced skill-based gameplay, and introducing exciting new features like $ZED staking on any horse – it really feels like Virtually Human Studio is taking all the lessons learned and aiming to create an even more compelling and sustainable digital horse racing experience.

John: Precisely, Lila. ZED Champions represents a commitment to the future of this unique gaming niche. It’s addressing past challenges, embracing new technologies, and clearly aiming to deepen player engagement. For anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, strategy, digital collectibles, and the play-to-earn model, ZED Champions is definitely a project that warrants attention as it embarks on this new era.

Lila: It’s like the next generation of thoroughbreds hitting the track – faster, stronger, and ready to redefine the sport. I’m excited to see how ZED Champions shapes the future of digital horse racing and GameFi!

References

John: For our readers who wish to delve deeper, here are some of the key sources and official channels we’ve referred to:

• Official ZED RUN / ZED Champions Portal: zed.run (likely leads to ZED Champions information, SERP 1)
• Official ZED Champions Website: zedchampions.com (SERP 4)
• Blockchaingamer.biz: “Zed Run discontinued to make way for Zed Champions” (SERP 2)
• NFT Insider: “ZED Run Relaunches as ZED Champions on Base” (SERP 8)
• CoinGecko: ZED Token ($ZED) Information (SERP 6)
• X.com (formerly Twitter): @zed_champions (SERP 7)
• ZED RUN Community News: community.zed.run/news-updates (SERP 9)
• PlayToEarn.com: “Zed Champions Beta on the Horizon as Virtually Human Studio Moves On From Zed Run” (SERP 16)
• Reddit Community: r/zedrun (SERP 3, 5)
• ZED Champions YouTube Channel: (Search “ZED CHAMPIONS” on YouTube, SERP 11, 14)

Lila: It’s always so important to have those direct links so people can verify information and stay updated straight from the source!

Related Links

John: To further your exploration into the ZED Champions ecosystem, here are some direct links you might find useful:

• ZED Champions Official Website: https://zedchampions.com/
• ZED Champions on X (Twitter): https://x.com/zed_champions
• ZED RUN/Champions Reddit Community: https://www.reddit.com/r/zedrun/
• ZED Token on CoinGecko: https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/zed-run

Lila: Perfect! Easy access for anyone wanting to jump in or learn more.

John: As always in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, NFTs, and GameFi, we urge our readers to conduct their own thorough research (DYOR) before making any financial commitments or investments of time. The information presented here is for educational and informational purposes only, based on publicly available data at the time of writing, and should not be construed as financial advice. Market conditions, project details, and roadmaps can change.

Lila: Sage advice, John. Stay informed, stay cautious, and enjoy exploring the exciting frontiers of digital gaming!

GameFi, NFT, ZED RUN, ZED Champions, Digital Horse Racing