A Deep Dive into Hunters On-Chain: Your Guide to the Action RPG Taking GameFi by Storm
John: Hello and welcome back to our corner of the web, where we demystify the world of Web3 gaming. For a long time, the term ‘blockchain game’ was synonymous with simplistic, click-based experiences where the ‘game’ part felt like an afterthought. The focus was almost entirely on the earning potential, often at the expense of fun.
Lila: That’s something I hear all the time from my gamer friends! They’re curious about NFTs and crypto, but they’re not willing to trade a rich gaming experience for a glorified spreadsheet. What makes a GameFi title actually break that mold and be… well, a *game*?
John: That’s the million-dollar question, Lila. And it’s one that a new generation of developers is finally answering. They’re building on a simple but powerful premise: lead with fun. A perfect example, and our topic for today, is Hunters On-Chain by BoomLand. It’s a title that not only embraces the ownership model of Web3 but does so with a proven, polished, and genuinely enjoyable core gameplay loop.
Lila: ‘Proven,’ you say? That’s a strong word in the fast-moving crypto space. I’m intrigued. Let’s dive in!
Overview & Key Features
John: Right. At its heart, *Hunters On-Chain* is a free-to-play, top-down action RPG with battle royale elements. Think of it as a blend of games like *Brawl Stars* and *Archero*, but with a layer of true asset ownership powered by blockchain technology. It’s available on iOS, Android, and PC, which is a big plus for accessibility.
Lila: You mentioned “free-to-play,” which always comes with a mental asterisk for me. What’s the catch? How can a game with real economic value be free?
John: That’s a fair and important question. The model here is quite transparent. You can download the game from the App Store or Google Play right now and start playing immediately with a standard, free Hunter character. You can experience all the core game modes and see if you enjoy the gameplay. However, this free character is “off-chain” (not an NFT) and doesn’t participate in the play-and-earn economy. To start earning rewards and own a unique, tradable asset, you need to acquire an NFT Hunter.
Lila: So it’s more of a ‘free-to-try’ model for the earning side of things. That actually sounds like a great way to onboard people without demanding an initial investment. It lets the gameplay speak for itself first. What are the standout features, then?
John: Exactly. It builds trust. As for the features, there are several that make it compelling. I’d highlight these:
- Fast-Paced, Addictive Gameplay: The game is built on short, action-packed matches where you hunt monsters and other players. It’s easy to pick up but has a high skill ceiling.
- Multiple Game Modes: It caters to different play styles. According to their official site, BoomLand offers modes like ‘Hunt’ (a 4-player battle royale), ‘Co-op’ (teaming up with another player), ‘Boss Hunt’ (taking down a massive boss), and ‘Dungeons’ for a challenging PvE (Player versus Environment) experience.
- Deep Character Progression: This is where the RPG elements shine. Your Hunter NFTs aren’t just static collectibles; you can level them up, increasing their stats like health and damage, which directly enhances their in-game performance and marketplace value.
- A Solid Web2 Foundation: This is the ‘proven’ part I mentioned. *Hunters On-Chain* is the Web3 evolution of a hugely successful mobile game called *Hunt Royale*, which reportedly has over 40 million downloads. They didn’t start from scratch; they adapted a formula they know works.
Lila: Wow, 40 million downloads is serious business. Knowing that the game is built on an already successful engine and gameplay loop gives it a level of credibility that many new GameFi projects just don’t have. It’s not just a concept; it’s a tested product.
Technical Elements
Lila: Okay, so the gameplay concept is solid. But let’s talk about the feel. My biggest fear with blockchain games is lag. Is every shot I take or every monster I kill a clunky on-chain transaction that takes seconds to confirm?
John: An excellent and common concern. The answer is a firm no. The developers at BoomLand have made a smart architectural choice. The high-frequency, moment-to-moment gameplay—your movement, your attacks, the enemy AI—all happens on traditional, centralized game servers, just like any other mobile or online game. This ensures the experience is smooth, responsive, and free of blockchain-induced lag.
Lila: So where does the blockchain come in?
John: It comes in where it matters most for ownership. The blockchain is used to manage the “value” layer: the minting and ownership of your Hunter NFTs, the rewards you earn (in the form of crypto tokens), and the trading of those assets on a marketplace. Think of it this way: the game server handles the ‘playing’, and the blockchain handles the ‘owning’ and ‘earning’.
Lila: That makes so much more sense. It’s the best of both worlds. What about the look and feel? What’s the art style like?
John: The game has a vibrant, stylized 3D aesthetic. It’s colorful and a bit cartoonish, which works very well for the fantasy theme. The character designs are unique, and the environments are clear and easy to read, which is crucial for a fast-paced action game. The performance is optimized for a wide range of mobile devices, so you don’t need the latest flagship phone to have a good experience, and it’s officially live on the app stores, no longer requiring TestFlight or complicated side-loading as confirmed by a BoomLand announcement on X.
NFT & Blockchain Usage
Lila: Alright, let’s get to the juicy part. You’ve mentioned NFT Hunters and on-chain assets. Break it down for me. What exactly is the “On-Chain” in *Hunters On-Chain*?
John: This is the core of its Web3 identity. The primary on-chain assets are the Hunters themselves. These are the characters you play as, and they are Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), meaning each one is a unique, verifiable digital asset that you truly own in your crypto wallet.
Lila: Are all Hunters created equal, or is there a hierarchy?
John: There’s a distinct hierarchy, which creates strategy around collection and investment. Based on community resources and gameplay videos, the structure is generally as follows:
- Free Hunters: As we discussed, these are your entry point. They are not NFTs, cannot be traded, and have limited earning potential.
- Common/Premium Hunters: These are the standard NFT Hunters. They can be bought, sold, and, most importantly, upgraded. This is the tier most players will engage with.
- Genesis Hunters: These are the rarest and most powerful Hunters, originating from the game’s initial launch collections. They typically have the best base stats, unique aesthetics, and the highest earning potential. They are the premium, blue-chip assets within the game’s ecosystem.
Lila: And you can level these NFTs up? How does that work? Does it actually change the NFT itself?
John: Yes, it does, and that’s a key feature. As you play, you earn in-game resources. You can then spend these resources to level up your NFT Hunter. As highlighted in videos from channels like Blockchain Gaming World, when you level up, the NFT’s metadata—the data stored on the blockchain that defines its properties—is updated. Its health, damage, and energy stats permanently increase. This makes your Hunter more effective in the game, which in turn allows you to compete at higher levels and earn more rewards. It creates a direct link between your skill, your time investment, and the tangible value of your digital asset.
Lila: That’s fascinating. So your effort directly translates into a more valuable asset. Now, what about the underlying technology? Which blockchain is all this running on? I’ve seen a few different names thrown around.
John: That’s a good point, as the space can be confusing. BoomLand has positioned itself within a multi-chain landscape. According to their official website and partners, the architecture involves a few key players:
- Immutable: The Hunter NFTs and in-game assets are primarily managed on Immutable, a Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum. This is a crucial choice. It means that trading and minting these NFTs can be done with zero gas fees (the transaction costs on the Ethereum mainnet) and near-instant transaction times. This removes a major point of friction for players.
- Beam: The game is heavily integrated into the Beam network. Beam is a gaming-centric blockchain, operating as a “subnet” on the Avalanche blockchain, and it’s powered by the influential Merit Circle DAO. Think of Beam as the gaming ecosystem and community hub where *Hunters On-Chain* resides. The game’s economy and social features are deeply tied to this network.
- Polygon: Polygon is also listed as a key partner. Its involvement likely relates to broader ecosystem support, liquidity, or specific token operations, reflecting BoomLand’s strategy to not be siloed to a single chain.
Lila: So, Immutable for the NFT tech, Beam for the gaming ecosystem. It sounds like they’re picking the best tools for each specific job. What about the actual crypto you earn? Is there a game token?
John: Yes, the economy is powered by a dual-token system, a common model in more sophisticated GameFi projects.
- $BGEM (BoomLand Gems): This is the primary utility and reward token. You earn $BGEM by playing the game—winning matches, completing quests, and so on. You then spend $BGEM in-game to open chests, upgrade your NFT Hunters, and participate in special events. It is the lifeblood of the daily gameplay loop.
- $BOOM: This is the governance token for the entire BoomLand ecosystem. Holding $BOOM will eventually give players and investors a vote in the future direction of the platform. It represents a stake in the project’s overall success, beyond just one game.
Getting Started
Lila: Okay, I’m sold on trying it out. If I’m a complete beginner, not just to *Hunters On-Chain* but maybe to Web3 gaming in general, what’s my roadmap from zero to playing and earning?
John: It’s more straightforward than you might think. BoomLand has clearly focused on making the onboarding process smooth. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
- Download the Game: First things first, get the game on your device. You can find “Hunters On-Chain” on the official Apple App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android. For PC players, the download is available directly from the official BoomLand website.
- Play the Tutorial: Jump right in and play with the free, off-chain Hunter. The game does a great job of teaching you the basic mechanics: how to move, aim, use special abilities, and understand the objectives of the different modes. No wallet or crypto knowledge needed for this part.
- Create an Account & Connect a Wallet: Once you’ve decided you enjoy the game and want to engage with the on-chain features, you’ll need to create a game account. The game itself will then guide you through the process of connecting a Web3 wallet. If you don’t have one, it will point you to popular options like MetaMask. This wallet is your personal, secure digital inventory where your NFTs and tokens will be stored.
- Acquire an NFT Hunter: This is the step that takes you “on-chain.” You’ll need to buy an NFT Hunter. You can do this on a dedicated NFT marketplace. Given the game’s tech stack, the main places to look would be Beam’s native marketplace, Sphere, or the Immutable Marketplace. You’d browse for a Hunter that fits your budget and playstyle and purchase it using cryptocurrency.
- Play, Compete, and Earn: With your NFT Hunter equipped in the game, you’re now ready to participate in the play-and-earn economy. Every match you play has the potential to yield $BGEM rewards, which you can then use to improve your Hunter or trade on a crypto exchange.
Lila: That’s a great breakdown. I love that step two is just “play the game.” It really emphasizes the ‘game-first’ philosophy. It lets you get a feel for everything risk-free before you even think about connecting a wallet or buying an asset. That’s a massive plus in my book and a sign of a confident developer.
Reputation & Reviews
Lila: So, we think it has potential, but what’s the word on the street? What is the broader community of players and critics saying? Is it living up to the hype?
John: The reception has been largely positive, especially from those who value gameplay over pure speculation. We can break down the consensus into points of praise and common criticisms or challenges.
Praise
John: On the positive side, the feedback consistently centers on a few key areas:
- Fun Factor: Overwhelmingly, players agree that the game is fun. The connection to the successful *Hunt Royale* is often cited, with many seeing it as a polished and enhanced version with the added benefit of ownership. The short, engaging match loops make it a great game for mobile, pick-up-and-play sessions.
- Seamless Web3 Integration: Critics and tech-savvy players praise how the blockchain elements feel additive rather than intrusive. The use of a Layer-2 like Immutable for gas-free transactions is a huge technical win that significantly improves the user experience compared to older blockchain games.
- Strong Backing and Development: The project’s association with BoomLand (an offshoot of the established mobile publisher BoomBit) and its partnerships with major Web3 players like Merit Circle (Beam) and Immutable give it a stamp of legitimacy and a sense of long-term stability.
- Accessible Onboarding: The free-to-play entry point is universally lauded as the right approach. It removes the intimidating upfront cost that alienates many mainstream gamers from the Web3 space.
Criticism and Challenges
Lila: No project is perfect, though. What are the concerns or downsides that potential players should be aware of?
John: Of course. The critiques are less about the game itself and more about the inherent nature of GameFi.
- Economic Volatility: Like any project with a play-and-earn economy, the value of the rewards ($BGEM) and the NFTs themselves is subject to market forces. The dollar value of a player’s earnings can fluctuate significantly, which is a risk all players must be comfortable with.
- The “Pay-to-Progress” Perception: While it’s free to play, progressing in the earning economy requires an NFT. Players who can afford to buy higher-rarity Genesis Hunters or more $BGEM to level up faster will have an advantage. This can create a perception of a “pay-to-win” or “pay-to-progress-faster” dynamic, a common challenge in both Web2 and Web3 free-to-play games.
- Long-Term Economic Sustainability: The game is still young. The biggest challenge for any GameFi project is maintaining a balanced and sustainable in-game economy over the long term. Critics and investors are watching closely to see how the BoomLand team manages token inflation and ensures that the economic model remains viable for years to come.
Lila: That makes complete sense. The game is solid, but the “investing” side of it carries the same risks as any other crypto asset. It’s important for players to separate the two and decide what their primary goal is: to have fun, to earn, or a bit of both.
Q&A with John and Lila
John: To wrap things up, let’s go through a quick lightning round of some of the most common questions we get about new GameFi titles.
Q1: Do I really need to understand how blockchain works to play Hunters On-Chain?
John: Absolutely not. While understanding the basics is helpful for the investment side, BoomLand has done a great job of abstracting away the technical complexity. If you can handle installing an app and following on-screen instructions to connect that app to a service (like connecting a game to a Google or Apple account), you can handle connecting a wallet. The game’s interface is designed for gamers, not crypto traders.
Q2: What is the most effective way to earn the in-game currency, $BGEM?
Lila: This one’s easy: just play the game and be good at it! Your primary source of $BGEM will be your performance in the different game modes. Winning matches, getting high placements in Hunt mode, defeating bosses, and clearing Dungeons will all yield rewards. Beyond that, be sure to complete your daily quests and keep an eye out for special events. The developers have run “Play-to-Airdrop” seasons in the past, which provide massive opportunities for dedicated players to earn significant rewards just for participating.
Q3: I have a cool Hunter NFT. Where can I sell or trade it with other players?
John: The ownership aspect is key. You can trade your Hunter NFTs on any marketplace that supports the underlying blockchain network. For *Hunters On-Chain*, your primary destinations will be the **Immutable Marketplace** and **Sphere**, which is the official NFT marketplace for the Beam network. These platforms allow you to list your NFT for a set price or auction it off. You can also find dedicated community groups, like the “Hunters On-Chain PH” Facebook group for Filipino players, but always be extremely cautious with direct peer-to-peer trades to avoid scams. Using an official, escrow-based marketplace is always the safest option.
Developer Info
Lila: Let’s talk about the masterminds. Who exactly is behind this project? A strong team is usually a good sign.
John: The developer is BoomLand, a studio and platform established specifically for Web3 gaming. What makes them particularly noteworthy is their origin. BoomLand is the Web3 venture of BoomBit, a major, publicly-listed mobile game publisher with over a billion downloads across its portfolio. The CEO of BoomBit, Hannibal Soares, is deeply involved, bridging the gap between their Web2 success and their Web3 ambitions. This isn’t a small, anonymous startup; it’s a new division of an established player in the gaming industry.
Lila: That’s a huge vote of confidence. They have the experience, the resources, and a reputation to protect. What about their roadmap? What does the future hold?
John: According to their official communications, their roadmap is focused on expanding the ecosystem. This includes introducing new Hunters with unique abilities, adding more complex game modes like clan-based warfare and competitive tournaments, and further developing the utility for the $BOOM governance token. Their vision extends beyond just one game; they aim to build a whole platform of interconnected Web3 titles, with *Hunters On-Chain* as their flagship.
Summary
John: In conclusion, *Hunters On-Chain* stands out in the crowded GameFi market for one simple reason: it’s a good game first. By building upon the proven success of *Hunt Royale* and layering on a well-designed, user-friendly blockchain system powered by robust technology like Immutable and Beam, BoomLand has crafted an experience that respects both the player and the potential of Web3. It offers a gentle on-ramp for newcomers and enough depth to keep veterans of both gaming and crypto engaged.
Lila: I completely agree. It feels like a genuine step forward. For any gamer who’s been curious about what “play-and-own” really means but has been put off by poor gameplay or high barriers to entry, *Hunters On-Chain* is one of the most compelling answers out there today. The fact that you can download it and judge the fun for yourself, completely for free, makes it an absolute must-try.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The crypto and NFT markets are highly volatile. Please do your own research (DYOR) before investing any time or money into any GameFi project.
References
- Hunters On-Chain Official Website
- BeamHub Gaming Platform
- Immutable Official Website
- Blockchain Gaming World – “HUNTERS ON-CHAIN | Season 2 play-to-airdrop”