Fractal, the blockchain-focused company co-founded by Twitch co-founder Justin Kan, is launching FStudio, a tool suite designed to make it easier for game studios to build, market, and monetize Web3 games without needing expertise in blockchain technology.
Fractal was founded in 2021 with the goal of developing tools for blockchain games. Kan believes that blockchain tech is crucial for creating a player-driven economy, but the gaming industry has become overly focused on the underlying technology, which he argues detracts from the goal of delivering excellent gameplay experiences.
FStudio was created after months of conversations with developers about the challenges they face when launching their games. The platform simplifies the process by breaking it down into build, acquire, and monetize stages. It uses simple application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs) familiar to developers, removing the need for extensive knowledge of blockchain technology.
Kan sees Fractal as a potential 'Steam for blockchain games', aiming to add community game discovery layers and make Web3 gaming more accessible. Fractal currently hosts about 150 blockchain games on its platform.
The suite includes tools for authentication, minting and marketplaces, enabling developers to start building without even having to choose a blockchain initially. By abstracting away the complexity of the blockchain, developers can bring their games to market more quickly and focus more on gameplay mechanics and user acquisition.
FStudio offers access to three main distribution channels: Fractal Web, a web-based gaming platform; Fractal Desktop, a desktop launcher available on Mac and PC; and a Creator program for spreading the word about games.
