Imagine stepping onto a fractured floating island, forging your own path in a fantasy realm, and experimenting with blockchain-driven features to shape your journey. That, in a nutshell, is WorldShards—a sandbox Web3 MMORPG set in Murrlandia, a world split by catastrophe.

Learn how its levelless progression system, meowkle companions, and token-based economy work together, and see if this blend of fantasy and blockchain belongs on your gaming radar.

Discovering Murrlandia: A World in Pieces

The setting of WorldShards is a group of suspended islands. Each one hints at the old civilization that existed here, and you see traces of that history in crumbling ruins or abandoned pathways. Murrlandia was torn apart, so your objective involves gathering what resources remain, putting them to use, and uncovering the lore that led to the world's downfall.

A key feature is the levelless progression system. Rather than levelling up through experience points, you attach skills and abilities to the weapons and gear you wield. Swapping out a sword for a bow changes how you handle combat. The more variety you pursue, the broader your tactical options become.

Gameplay and Companionship: From Island Building to Meowkles

Once you begin, you'll claim a personal flying island. Picture a floating plateau with enough space to set up crafting stations, store your loot, and gradually expand your living quarters. Although you spend a fair amount of time upgrading and refining this area, you're encouraged to travel across Murrlandia in search of new resources.

As you explore, you might encounter the meowkles—small, cat-like companions that bring a bit of lightheartedness to this fractured world. They help you with mundane tasks, such as gathering ingredients or assisting in minor skirmishes. Some players see them as handy sidekicks, especially when there's a lot of material to haul back to your island.

Source WorldShards

Building a Player-Driven Economy

When it comes to the game's marketplace, player-driven really means players handle most of the buying and selling. WorldShards avoids strict, developer-set pricing. Instead, resources, weapons, or gear end up listed in auctions or traded informally among adventurers. If you're good at crafting specialized bows or potions, you might carve out a niche in the market and see players seeking out your services.

Over its first year, WorldShards reportedly brought in $6.2 million from these player trades: $5.2 million via NFTs and about $1.1 million in premium currency. This was done in collaboration with Open Loot, an end-to-end web3 platform that helps handle NFT sales, a marketplace, and related services.

Early Access: Your Chance to Observe and Participate

Early Access launched in February last year. In this phase, players gained the opportunity to see how WorldShards functions before its official release, with the game still undergoing tweaks and changes. There's a sense that developer ears are open, even if broader changes can take time to implement.

Initially, you'll need an Early Access key or a Founder's Collectible Item to jump in. The process goes something like this:

• Sign Up: Create your WorldShards account on their website.

• Open Loot Account: Link it with your new or existing WorldShards profile.

• Download: Grab the official launcher.

• Engage: Explore Murrlandia, gather materials, and test the meowkle-driven crafting loops.

You'll need to purchase a 'Welcome Bundle' on Open Loot featuring a Personal Access Key and 3,700 Gems—the ideal starter pack for new explorers. WorldShards also has a 30-day free trial to check out the game.

Proxy Tokens and the Evolving Economy

In December 2024, WorldShards also rolled out Proxy Tokens. These tokens reward you for active participation, particularly if you spend much time battling enemies or digging around for scarce materials. They serve as the main currency for crafting and enhancing in-game NFTs, adding a second layer of progression for those looking to focus on the creation and improvement of items.

Importantly, these Proxy Tokens are expected to convert to the game's official tokens at a 1:1 ratio during its Token Generation Event (TGE) in early 2025. Even if you're only in the trial phase, you can earn these tokens and qualify for airdrops that reward active play.

Source WorldShards

The $SHARDS Token

Once that TGE does arrive, the game will run on a fair-launch token known as $SHARDS, which lacks reserved allocations for developers or investors. This choice may appeal to folks who value community-centric economies. You earn $SHARDS in a few ways, typically by carrying out actions like gathering resources or defeating wargs—provided you're equipped with specific collectible items that enable token drops.

Once in your account, $SHARDS can be spent on upgrades, such as enhancing an item's 'Luck' stat. You can also use the token to process Rifts (unique materials needed for raising an item's rarity) or to re-roll item attributes when you want a second shot at generating more favorable stats. For players who prefer managing crypto wallets themselves, Open Loot lets you withdraw $SHARDS and hold or trade them externally.

Roadmap and Future Developments

Looking ahead, WorldShards has a few key items on its roadmap. The development team mentions continued refinements to the levelless progression system, likely tweaking how skills or item stats interact with each other. Combat, resource gathering, and the meowkle helper system could all receive further adjustments. If you prefer to spend your time forging equipment or designing your island, these upcoming updates might bring in extra layers of customization.

The anticipated TGE in early 2025 should also make an impact. At that point, any Proxy Tokens you've accumulated can be exchanged for in-game currency at a 1:1 ratio. This event could spark new trading patterns, as longtime players might suddenly have more liquidity to purchase rare items, while newer players could benefit from a chance to sell or trade their tokens. The developers might time special in-game events around the TGE as well, so keeping an eye on official announcements could pay off.

As with many Web3 games, WorldShards remains evolving, which makes it somewhat flexible. The Early Access window, ongoing economic shifts, and upcoming TGE all speak to a game that's still shaping its identity and worth looking at.