REAPER ACTUAL is the latest contender in the crowded arena of online first-person shooters, and while it looks promising, it’s also raising a few eyebrows. Announced by Distinct Possibility Studios, this new open-world persistent shooter promises intense tactical firefights, dynamic faction warfare, and a player-driven economy that lets you craft, trade, and build your own corner of the battlefield. So far, so good. But then there’s that little thing about blockchain.
Set on the war-torn island of Marova, REAPER ACTUAL throws players into a sprawling online world where victories and defeats reshape the island in real time. You’ll be able to build bases, craft gear, and engage in both PvP and PvE as you carve out your role as an elite Reaper. Think Escape from Tarkov meets Planetside 2, with a pinch of Rust for good measure. Combat will hinge on precision gunplay, squad coordination, and full land, sea, and air traversal—all while an interwoven mission system keeps you knee-deep in faction conflict.
The game’s standout features include:
- Persistent World: Your actions impact the island’s control, shifting the balance between players and NPC factions.
- Player Bases: Build and defend your stronghold, craft weapons, and prepare for inevitable raids.
- Dynamic Narrative Progression: Missions organically pit players against each other and the environment, ensuring no two stories play out the same.
- Player-Driven Economy: Craft gear, trade with others, and influence a living in-game marketplace.
All of this is backed by industry veterans, including John Smedley and Matt Higby, who know their way around MMORPGs and large-scale shooters. The ambition is clear: REAPER ACTUAL wants to give players a world they can live in, shape, and fight for night after night.
Sounds slick on paper. But here’s where things get murky. Distinct Possibility Studios plans to release a “Web3” version of REAPER ACTUAL that leverages blockchain technology for in-game asset ownership and trading. Yes, that means NFTs. The idea is to let players truly “own” items like weapons, vehicles, and cosmetics via the Etherlink blockchain.
If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is—big-name publishers like Ubisoft have dipped their toes into blockchain gaming before, and let’s just say the waters were… less than welcoming. Player pushback, regulatory scrutiny, and plain old confusion have kept most Web3 experiments dead in the water.
To their credit, the team is making this blockchain aspect optional. There will be a “normal” version of the game on Steam and Epic Games Store with zero Web3 nonsense for those who just want to shoot stuff without thinking about crypto wallets.
There’s no release date yet, but players eager to dive in can sign up for early testing via the game’s official site. The trailer shows off moody lighting, tactical gunfights, and sprawling environments—enough to catch the eye of shooter fans looking for something fresh.
Bottom line? REAPER ACTUAL could be a smart, tactical evolution of the online FPS—or it could be another cautionary tale about chasing blockchain hype. Either way, it’s one to watch. You can wishlist REAPER ACTUAL on Steam now to keep tabs on its development and see which way the wind blows.
Check out the official gameplay trailer and keep an eye on our Dune: Awakening review or The Midnight Walkers playtest coverage if you’re hungry for more survival and shooter news.
