Off The Grid (OTG) is a free-to-play multiplayer shooter developed by Gunzilla Games that combines Battle Royale, extraction mechanics, and an on-chain economy powered by the GUNZ blockchain infrastructure. The game is set in the cyberpunk world of Teardrop Island and focuses on PvP/PvE combat, HEX container extraction, modular Cyberlimbs, and a wide range of weapon configurations. GUNZ was originally built using Avalanche technology as a specialized gaming network and later evolved into an EVM-compatible Layer 1 with GUN as its native token. Blockchain features remain optional: players can experience Off The Grid as a conventional free-to-play shooter without participating in NFT trading.
Contents
- What Is Off The Grid and How Gunzilla Games' Shooter Works
- Off The Grid Gameplay: Extraction Royale, HEX and Cyberlimbs
- Off The Grid Economy: GUN, NFTs, GUNZ Marketplace and Avalanche
- Blockchain Integration and the Play-to-Own Model
- Off The Grid Development and the Future of GUNZ in Web3 Gaming
1. What Is Off The Grid and How Gunzilla Games' Shooter Works
Off The Grid is being developed by Gunzilla Games as an AAA third-person shooter with a live-service model. The project involves filmmaker Neill Blomkamp, known for District 9 and Elysium, who contributed to the game's world, visual concept, and narrative direction. The action takes place on Teardrop Island, a location transformed into a battleground for corporations, mercenaries, and technologically enhanced fighters.
Off The Grid entered Early Access in October 2024. The game initially became available on PlayStation 5 and PC through the Epic Games Store and later expanded to Xbox Series X|S and Steam. Matches can feature up to 60 players, while the core format combines elements of Battle Royale and extraction shooters. As of August 2026, the project remains in Early Access.
Gunzilla describes the main format as Extraction Royale. Unlike a conventional Battle Royale, winning the match is not the player's only objective. Participants also search for valuable items and HEX containers that must be successfully extracted from the map. This creates a constant choice between continuing combat, searching for additional loot, and securing resources that have already been collected.
In May 2026, Gunzilla presented a roadmap for the game's continued development and stated that the full release of Off The Grid was planned around the second anniversary of its Early Access launch. Until then, the developers continue to expand content, progression systems, social features, competitive mechanics, and the technical infrastructure of the game.
2. Off The Grid Gameplay: Extraction Royale, HEX and Cyberlimbs
The core gameplay loop revolves around deploying on Teardrop Island, collecting equipment, and fighting other participants. Players acquire weapons, modules, and resources during each match. HEXes play an important role: these containers can hold valuable items and must be delivered to an extraction point to preserve their contents beyond the current session.
One of Off The Grid's most distinctive mechanics is Cyberlimbs, interchangeable cybernetic arms and legs. They can be swapped during combat to provide different abilities. Some modifications focus on mobility, while others offer additional offensive, defensive, or reconnaissance options. As a result, Cyberlimb selection becomes part of tactical decision-making, allowing players to adjust their capabilities after a match has already started.
The weapon system is also built around modularity. Different weapons can be combined with sights, barrels, magazines, and other components. Together with Cyberlimbs, this creates a large number of equipment configurations, making character development dependent not only on cosmetic items but also on finding a setup suited to a particular playstyle.
The extraction system connects the traditional shooter gameplay with the project's economic layer. Obtaining a HEX matters only if the player successfully extracts it. After extraction, the container can be decoded to reveal the item inside. At this stage, in-game loot can interact with the GUNZ infrastructure and receive an on-chain representation.
3. Off The Grid Economy: GUN, NFTs, GUNZ Marketplace and Avalanche
The blockchain layer of Off The Grid is built around GUNZ. Gunzilla originally introduced the infrastructure as a specialized Avalanche Subnet designed for gaming applications. Following changes to Avalanche's architecture, GUNZ has been positioned as an independent EVM-compatible Layer 1 built on Avalanche technology, with GUN serving as its native token.
GUN functions as both an in-game and protocol-level currency within the ecosystem. The token is used for transactions on the GUNZ Marketplace, HEX decoding, selected in-game purchases, and network fees. It is also connected to the validator system involved in creating on-chain game items.
| Component | Purpose | Role in Off The Grid |
|---|---|---|
| GUNZ | Gaming Layer 1 | Blockchain infrastructure for OTG assets, transactions, and economy |
| GUN | Native token | Marketplace transactions, fees, HEX decoding, and other operations |
| HEX | Loot container | Extracted from matches and decoded to obtain game items |
| NFT Items | On-chain game assets | Weapons, Cyberlimbs, cosmetics, and other digital items |
| GUNZ Marketplace | P2P marketplace | Buying and selling game items between users |
| Validator NFTs | Infrastructure component | Participate in HEX decoding and NFT item creation |
The HEX mechanic connects item acquisition directly with blockchain infrastructure. Players must first find a container during gameplay and successfully extract it before decoding becomes possible. During this process, the HEX is used to generate the corresponding game NFT, such as a weapon, skin, Cyberlimb, or another digital item.
Gunzilla created the GUNZ Marketplace for player-to-player trading. Unlike models where developers simply issue an NFT collection for an initial sale, Off The Grid connects the creation of digital items with actual gameplay. Gunzilla states that OTG NFTs originate through HEX acquisition and extraction, after which players can decide whether to keep the assets or trade them.
4. Blockchain Integration and the Play-to-Own Model
Gunzilla uses the term Play-to-Own rather than the traditional Play-to-Earn model. The main concept is not to provide guaranteed cryptocurrency rewards for time spent playing, but to give users greater control over selected game items. Players who are not interested in Web3 features are not required to participate in NFT trading.
This approach lowers the entry barrier compared with early blockchain games, where users often had to install a crypto wallet and purchase NFTs before playing. Gunzilla designed its account infrastructure and integrated wallets so that conventional players could begin using Off The Grid without first learning how blockchain technology works.
Key Features of Off The Grid:
- free-to-play AAA third-person shooter;
- hybrid Battle Royale and extraction shooter gameplay;
- matches supporting up to 60 players;
- cyberpunk setting on Teardrop Island;
- interchangeable Cyberlimbs with different abilities;
- modular weapon and equipment system;
- HEX containers containing extractable game items;
- GUNZ Layer 1 built on Avalanche technology;
- native GUN token and P2P marketplace;
- optional tokenization of game items and a Play-to-Own model.
An important limitation is the distinction between in-game balances and freely transferable crypto assets. GUN documentation indicates that, to comply with the requirements of major gaming platforms, direct withdrawals of GUN from in-game wallets may be restricted. At the same time, the model allows GUN to be used for acquiring game assets that, where the relevant functionality is available, may be withdrawn and transferred through external NFT infrastructure.
Blockchain integration also introduces additional risks. The market value of NFTs and GUN depends on demand, liquidity, and broader cryptocurrency market conditions, while the gameplay characteristics of individual items may change following balance updates. Ownership of a rare digital asset therefore does not guarantee that its market value or in-game effectiveness will remain unchanged.
5. Off The Grid Development and the Future of GUNZ in Web3 Gaming
Off The Grid differs from many early GameFi projects because blockchain is not the foundation of its core gameplay. The central product is a competitive shooter, while GUNZ supports the digital item economy. Players can ignore NFT functionality or choose to participate in HEX decoding, trading, and other on-chain activities.
In 2025, GUNZ moved into its mainnet stage, while the GUN token gained broader utility beyond the game itself. The ecosystem also became multichain: alongside the GUNZ Layer 1 and its connection with Avalanche C-Chain, GUN expanded to Solana. The GUNZ Marketplace and external NFT infrastructure further increased the ways users can interact with game assets.
GUNZ is not being developed exclusively for Off The Grid. Gunzilla provides an SDK, marketplace, NFT minting engine, and other components that may potentially be used by third-party game developers. TECHNOCORE is also connected to the same GUNZ infrastructure, while Off The Grid remains the ecosystem's primary gaming product.
As of August 2026, Off The Grid remains in Early Access. The project demonstrates a model in which blockchain is used for digital ownership and asset trading without being required for core gameplay. Its future development will depend on the quality of the game itself, player retention, item-market liquidity, and the long-term sustainability of the GUNZ economy.
