WorldShards Redefines Gaming with Player-Owned Digital Realms

Lowkick Studio, a game development company based in Abu Dhabi, has launched the $SHARDS token, the native utility token for its upcoming blockchain-based MMORPG, WorldShards. The token generation event (TGE) coincided with the token's listing on several top-tier exchanges, including Bybit and Binance Alpha, marking a pivotal phase as the game transitions from its Early Access phase to a full PC release. A 30-day free trial was also introduced, offering players an opportunity to secure permanent access by maintaining active participation for 25 days [1].

The $SHARDS token is central to the in-game economy of WorldShards, enabling players to craft items, enhance NFTs, and acquire rare artifacts. Notably, the token’s distribution model is designed to emphasize a player-centric approach. The distribution plan allocates 60% of the tokens to game rewards, 25% to ecosystem development, and 15% to marketing and community growth. No tokens are allocated to the development team or early investors, and all allocations are subject to a 6-year vesting period to ensure long-term sustainability [1].

Prior to the token launch, WorldShards demonstrated strong engagement metrics and early market traction. The game’s Early Access phase has seen over $8.9 million in NFT sales, with more than 400,000 members in its community and over 3.1 million hours of gameplay logged by users. Recognized for its design and potential, the game received the “Most Anticipated Blockchain Game (2025)” award and the “Best Game Design (2025)” award from PlayToEarn.com [1].

WorldShards is a sandbox MMORPG set in a magical world called Murrlandia, offering players a blend of traditional MMO gameplay and Web3 features. Players can own and develop digital land, craft items, and engage in both player-versus-environment (PvE) and player-versus-player (PvP) battles. Blockchain technology ensures verifiable ownership of in-game assets, adding both economic and cultural value to the player community [1]. To celebrate the TGE, developers also enabled a token drop for players with full access, without requiring any gear investment [2].

Developed by a team with extensive experience in the gaming industry—having previously worked at Wargaming, Mail.ru, and Astrum Online—WorldShards is backed by Open Loot (creators of Big Time) and supported by Abu Dhabi Gaming. The team has a collective reach of over 300 million players worldwide. With the $SHARDS token now live, the project is preparing for a broader global release, including both PC and mobile platforms [1].

The token’s integration into the game’s ecosystem is expected to create new opportunities for players to earn, trade, and invest in digital assets. Players can earn tokens through exploration, crafting, and other in-game activities, reinforcing a system where player engagement directly influences the token’s value. The project aims to build a gaming environment that rewards creativity and active participation while leveraging the advantages of blockchain for digital ownership and economic flexibility [2].

Source:

[1] Lowkick Studio Launches $SHARDS as WorldShards Expands to Global Audiences (https://www.morningstar.com/news/globe-newswire/9524069/lowkick-studio-launches-shards-as-worldshards-expands-to-global-audiences)

[2] Lowkick Studio launches $SHARDS token on top tier exchanges for WorldShards MMORPG (https://cryptobriefing.com/lowkick-studio-launches-shards-token-on-top-tier-exchanges-for-worldshards-mmorpg/)