Zone of Avoidance (ZoA) is a PVP/PVE play-to-earn auto-battler game set in a war-ravaged galaxy where three races battle for dominance and precious resources.
Non-fungible token (NFT) games are supposed to be innovative and fun, but the problem is that there are tons of shady founders, pale gameplays, flawed economic models, and outright rug pulls that plague the space. While it’s impossible to change this miserable tide overnight, one P2E game wants to do its part by introducing a blockchain game designed to separate itself from other bland Web3 games.
Table of Contents
Background
Zone of Avoidance (ZoA), a rising NFT game and Web3 ecosystem, is managed by Isak Saryieu (CEO), Mikalai Padkouka (CTO), Artem Shilkin (CFO), and Dmitrii Efremov (CDO).
The ZoA team, who are bold enough not to hide from pseudonyms and caricatures, aims to bring a space-themed P2E game with engaging gameplay and a sustainable economy.
What is Zone of Avoidance?
Zone of Avoidance (ZoA) is a PVP/PVE, P2E NFT auto-battler set in a war-ravaged galaxy where three races battle for dominance and precious resources.
‘Humans,’ ‘Syndicate,’ and ‘Raddans’ are the three warring races in the game, and players get to choose which side they would fight for.
The ‘Zone of Avoidance’ is the name coined for the inhospitable galaxy that became the unfortunate battleground of the three races.
ZoA Gameplay
Once inside the virtual world, players will be provided with a free but untradeable spaceship with 6 empty hero slots that can be filled through Card Packs.
These Card Packs, which can be purchased on the ZoA app, and are the primary sources of Heroes, contain the first three rarity tiers called ‘Common,’ ‘Rare, and ‘Epic.’
One important reminder for players is that they should not put all their faith in collecting large quantities of powerful assets as the game also prioritizes skills in strategy and tactics.
In other words, the smart combination of strategy and assets will determine the victor in every battle, not just powerful ships or heroes alone.
Also, every battle is a simulated fight, which means that players must only choose which assets to deploy, choose a strategy, and let the ZoA system run their army and weapons based on their selections.
Simple upgrades in the game would only require resources alone, but for major upgrades, players are required to spend both resources and tokens.
Players vs. Environment
In PVE mode, players must collect precious resources called ‘Onium,’ ‘Details,’ ‘Uranium,’ and ‘Ethen,’ which are critical elements for crafting and upgrading resources in ZoA.
But of course, collecting these resources wouldn’t be easy, as players must battle enemies with increasing difficulties to acquire these elements.
Also, since these resources cannot be purchased outside ZoA, players would really need to engage themselves in PvE battles to get the needed resources, preventing them from taking any shortcuts.
Aside from the said elements, players would also be rewarded with tokens every time they finish a ZoA chapter.
Player vs. Player
In PVP mode, the ZoA system automatically matches players and simulates the fight, but its simulation depends on the strategies chosen by gamers.
Winners are rewarded with tokens and increased rank, which would help them acquire more powerful assets as the game advances.
Battle Mechanics
Players begin by selecting four heroes from their spaceship, an initial step that must involve a well-planned strategy.
Once opposing players are done preparing their characters, Heroes will automatically attack anyone closest to them.
The battle’s outcome depends on each Heroes’ skill description and other details stated in their cards; as these aspects will determine their superiority or inferiority over their opponents.
When calculating damage, ZoA uses the classic mechanics of real-life card games, which is pitting a card’s Attack points against the other’s Defense points.
ZOA Token
ZOA is the native utility token of the Zone of Avoidance and can be used to purchase in-game items on the ZoA’s marketplace. Players must use this token to upgrade their ships, purchase Hero Card Packs, and buy other items necessary for their campaign.
Ecosystem utility is at the center of its design and was also made to be an important part of the platform’s governance.
Heroes
Heroes have five Rarity Tiers called ‘Common,’ ‘Rare,’ ‘Epic,’ ‘Elite,’ and ‘Legendary,’ and all of them are spread throughout the 3 races in the game.
There are two ways for these heroes to be more powerful: First is to fuse with a fellow hero of the same race, and second, through upgrades.
What Determines a Heroe’s Level?
Heroes aren’t given direct levels; instead, they derive their levels depending on the spaceship where they belong.
A Level 40 spaceship means that all heroes inside it will automatically become Level 40, and it’s the same on all ZoA spaceships.
But Heroes are given a limit on what level they can achieve inside the spaceship, which is called Ascension Level.
There are Heroes with higher levels than the Ascension Level, and when they enter a spaceship, players are reminded that these characters won’t receive any additional perks.
Raising Ascension Level
‘Raising’ is a process that allows players to raise the Ascension Level of their heroes, which can make them more powerful.
To produce Heroes with higher rarities, players must select and combine cards with specific rarities and Ascension levels.
The card combinations they can use may come from two same heroes or different heroes, and the process can only be done when both characters are from the same race.
Spaceships
Spaceships will be the first asset that players will have; and as was mentioned before, they will be free but untradeable.
But of course, once players have enough assets, they can purchase more advanced spaceships with additional firepower and can be sold in the marketplace.
Players can always make changes in the Hero contents of their spaceship, but once the battle begins, it will not be allowed, and they must use their existing Heroes inside.
Also, they must be careful in mindlessly removing any of their Heroes because character replacements will arrive only after 24 hours, an interval that can affect their chances of winning in a battle.
Fuel
Players’ Fuel Amount starts at ‘8’ and will gradually decrease every time they enter a battle, and once it runs out, players must wait 24 hours for replenishment.
One amazing fuel feature of ZoA is that Heroes with ‘Rare,’ ‘Elite,’ ‘Epic,’ or ‘Legendary’ rarities can boost a spaceship’s fuel amount, which makes these characters more valuable.
Every hero with one of the said rarities will increase a ship’s fuel amount by 2, an ability that can make a significant advantage in any battle.
Internal Resources
Internal Resources are the primary elements players need to upgrade Heroes, spaceships, and other items, which are all critical to continuing their campaign and winning battles.
These resources are called ‘Ethen’ (gas), ‘Onium’ (metal), and Berithium (crystal), and the majority of them can be found in PVE battles.
Aside from battling, ZoA players can also acquire these resources by burning their Heroes, spaceships, and other assets.
But the catch is, once their chosen assets have been burned, they can no longer retrieve them back, ever.
Marketplace
The ZoA marketplace is the go-to place for players who want to purchase or trade upgraded ships, hero cards, and any items that can beef up their assets or earn them profits.
The market also allows players to trade their NFTs for ZOA tokens and even for other valuable cards.
Players will be the ones to set the price for their listed items, and the system will charge 5% for every successful sale transaction.
This place is also perfect for players who want to get rid of their Common cards as the market allows them to trade these cards for internal resources.
Conclusion
Robust gameplay and a sustainable economy are the top aspects that make Zone of Avoidance a very promising blockchain game. But as with any great P2E games, their success (or failure) will be determined not only by their teams and features but also by new entrants with new disrupting concepts and solutions.
