Otherside’s ‘Legends of the Mara’ Open Beta Announced

On Sep 1, 2023

Yuga Labs has announced the release of an early version of ‘Legends of the Mara’ for open beta testing in September, encouraging players to experience the game and offer valuable feedback as development continues. They also announced a collaboration with video gaming publisher Faraway to build an expansion in Unity for their Open Beta. The aim of this partnership is not just to elevate the game but to actively involve the community in its development.

Otherside: Yuga Labs’ Metaverse Gaming Venture

Last year, Yuga Labs launched Otherside, described as a “gamified, interoperable metaverse.” This platform combines elements of MMORPG gaming, akin to what’s seen in ‘World of Warcraft,’ with the decentralized features of blockchain-based virtual worlds like ‘The Sandbox’ and ‘Decentraland.’ Players in this metaverse can own virtual land through special NFTs known as Otherdeeds.

Next month we release the open beta for LoTM — and there’s much more to come. We’ve partnered with @farawaygg and are building a major expansion in Unity. But we want to get an early version in the community’s hands now so you can play and provide feedback while we keep building. https://t.co/g97MF6f3m8
— Othersidemeta (@OthersideMeta) August 30, 2023

For the uninitiated, the open beta for the game aims to acquaint players with features like “Otherdeed powers.” Here, players can explore the metaverse and collect rewards that will become more relevant as the game expands.

Legend of The Mara: Gameplay and Features

Legends of the Mara itself is a 2D strategy game featuring a related collection aspect. Players can secure a Vessel, unlock its capabilities, and carve out their unique journey in the near future. Kodas serve as the main guardians of Otherside.

The focal point of the expansion are Maras, creatures that players can collect and evolve. These creatures are categorized into three types: Hunters, Farmers, and Enchanters. Each type has unique abilities and can be assigned to players’ Otherdeed land plots. The Maras assist in generating resources and defending the land against various threats. While the game is free to play, owning an Otherdeed NFT is a requirement for participation.

Source Yuga Labs

A Snapshot of Yuga Labs’ Portfolio

Established in 2021, Yuga Labs has swiftly risen to prominence in the digital asset landscape. With a valuation of $4 billion, the company specializes in developing NFTs related to gaming products and digital collectibles. The firm is home to several popular NFT collections, such as the Mutant Ape Yacht Club, Bored Ape Yacht Club, and Bored Ape Kennel Club. Furthermore, Yuga Labs owns the intellectual property rights for the well-known NFT collections CryptoPunks and Meebits.

To sum up, Yuga Labs and Faraway are collaborating to bring new dimensions to the ‘Legend of The Mara’ game. The Faraway enables the creation of diverse virtual environments such as games, social hubs, and educational settings. Designed for user-friendliness, it accommodates people with no previous background in game development.

Both companies hope to offer a more intricate and engaging gaming experience as the open beta release looms. With features like Otherdeeds and Maras, the game presents a novel approach to virtual ownership and gameplay, adding a fresh chapter to the ever-evolving story of Yuga Labs.