Tất tần tật về game Web3 Sparkball

Sparkball kết hợp lối chiến đấu hành động của dòng game đối kháng với chiều sâu vô tận của một tựa game MOBA để tạo nên “Mobrawler” – một trải nghiệm độc đáo thu hút bạn ngay từ trận đầu tiên và đến tận trận thứ 10.000

Introduction

Sparkball features top-down gameplay where players control a single hero in objective-based maps similar to MOBAs such as League of Legends, DotA2, or Heroes of the Storm. Sparkball is designed to be significantly faster and more action-packed than traditional MOBAs. Combat is intense and relies heavily on skillshots, dodging, and outplaying your opponent rather than farming minions 90% of the time!

Overview

Sparkball is an adrenaline-packed 4v4 competitive action game developed by Opti Games. It uniquely blends the fast-paced combat of a brawler with the strategic depth of a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena). Often compared to a mix of League of Legends and Rocket League, Sparkball focuses on balancing scoring goals and engaging in combat. This combination creates a high-energy experience that demands both strategic thinking and quick reflexes, making each match a thrilling challenge.

Gameplay and Features

Sparkball’s gameplay is centered around intense 4v4 matches where players control unique heroes with distinct abilities. The game is played from a top-down perspective, and the main objective is to score goals by getting the ball into the enemy’s net while also engaging in combat to control the ball. Unlike traditional MOBAs, Sparkball does not have lanes or minions, focusing instead on direct player interaction and skill-based combat.

Each hero in Sparkball has unique abilities that influence their playstyle and role within the team. Players must work together, utilizing their heroes’ strengths to outplay the opposing team. The game emphasizes strategic passing and positioning, with players needing to manage their fatigue levels while carrying the ball. Special pickups and augments add variety and depth to each match, providing unique advantages and encouraging dynamic gameplay strategies.

One of the core aspects of Sparkball is its ball-handling mechanics. Players can pick up the ball by walking over it and can pass it to teammates using either direct or lob passes. Direct passes are fast and accurate, ideal for quick plays, while lob passes can cover more distance but are slower and easier to intercept. Managing these passes and maintaining control of the ball under pressure is key to success. Combat in Sparkball is fast-paced and relies heavily on player skill. Heroes have abilities that can be used to attack opponents, defend teammates, or disrupt enemy plays. Fatigue is an important mechanic to consider; as players carry the ball, their fatigue level increases, making them more vulnerable to attacks. If a player’s fatigue reaches a certain point, they will become “broken” and drop the ball, creating opportunities for the opposing team.

Pickups scattered across the map provide temporary boosts or abilities, similar to power-ups in games like Super Smash Bros. These pickups can turn the tide of a match by giving players tools like grappling hooks, speed boosts, or even weapons to knock opponents out of the way. Additionally, between rounds, players can choose from various augments that enhance their hero’s abilities, adding a layer of strategy and customization to each game.

In Sparkball, teamwork and communication are crucial. Players need to coordinate their movements, plan their attacks, and execute strategies to outmaneuver the opposing team. Whether focusing on scoring goals or dominating in combat, a well-coordinated team has a significant advantage.

NFTs and Web3

Sparkball, previously known as “Sparkadia,” is making a strong return to the web3 space with the support of Opti Games. The game initially featured Sparkadia NFTs on the Immutable blockchain, but the rebranding may bring changes. Future announcements will clarify whether existing NFTs will still be relevant in Sparkball. Currently, Sparkball is holding a private sale of its token, $Spark, through our very own GAM3S.GG VAULT.

Sparkadia covers the studio’s broad range of media, including books, TV shows, and future games, as well as the web3 ecosystem. It acts as a comprehensive platform like Battle.net and serves as a companion app for Sparkball, similar to how Skyrim uses mods. The token and NFT utility within Sparkadia include staking, identity and ownership, user-generated content and custom maps, fantasy sports and betting, and tailgating.

How to Get Started

Sparkball is currently in its early development stage and is expected to launch in Q2 2025. The game can already be wishlisted on Steam. Players eager to try out this MOBA and Rocket League hybrid can participate in the upcoming Sparkball Season Zero event. This exclusive 10-day early access period will feature exciting tournaments and rewards for invited players. For more information on Sparkball Season Zero, follow Sparkball on their social media platforms.

Introduction Review

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, or MOBA for short, is an incredibly popular genre featuring the likes of League of Legends and Dota 2 under its ranks. Revisiting Edenbrawl, now known as Sparkball, you would think it’s a completely different game than what we saw in the previous version.

From a name change to a complete UI redesign, enhanced graphics, and a change in art style – transforming the once dim and grim world into a bright and lively arena – it’s evident that the game has evolved. New characters have been introduced, and some of our favorite heroes have been altered for the better. The revamped game has a lot to live up to, but the developers have done an excellent job changing what was needed and adding even more than anyone could have anticipated.

Gameplay

The game offers a top-down gameplay where players’ control one of these heroes in objective-based maps. However, not everything you are accustomed to in MOBAs will be present in Sparkball. The UI redesign begins with a sleeker main menu that meets the expectations of a game of its stature. It no longer resembles a title screen hastily thrown together in just a few hours with a backdrop of the map, but instead, it grabs your attention and builds excitement for what is to come. The design is similar to how Overwatch 2 created their main menu and overall title screen. Upon selecting a server and entering the main game menu, you are greeted with an even cleaner character and team selection interface.

The game doesn’t have specific lanes or minions to walk alongside champions in battle. This gives players more skill expression and more room for fast-paced battles.

Edenball is the primary game mode, pitting two teams of 5 against each other. Players on both sides are prompted to grab the ball from the center of the map and score in the enemy team’s endzone. Cooperation and team cohesion is essential as you will need to pass the ball around and use your abilities to aid you on your objective. Lone wolves won’t be incredibly helpful to their team and might actually be detrimental to their victory.

The game mode follows a best-of-3 rounds format, with a break between each round for players to regroup, assign their skill points, and get right back into it. There are a number of elements that contribute to the outcome of the battle as well, including Pickups, Blessings, Augments, and Territory Effects.

Sparkball offers a unique roster of characters, each with their own abilities and skills that can change the pace of the game. Upon release, there will be 8 individual hero NFTs, with a special bonus if you own all 8. The characters representing Sparkadia’s Origin Collection are: Inksy, Jet, Jan Itor, Roostandor, Hotpaws, Kana, GloKat, and Snooker. It is worth noting that different NFTs won’t affect gameplay in any way.

This leads to the next change: the removal of some old characters and the addition of new ones. While initially shocking, the new characters offer exciting possibilities for exploration. Ink is my favorite, while Hammond and Hot Paws boast extremely satisfying character models. Both new and old characters have amazing designs, with more life and color breathed into them. Abilities and roles have remained unique, and no character feels overpowered. Wins seem to stem from better team composition, time played, and outplaying opponents.

Playing with others and engaging in banter adds to the overall experience, as opposed to playing alone. As with any game update, there are expected bugs. Thankfully, the developers have addressed these in a newer build. Despite server-breaking bugs that required restarting servers, the game retained its addictive and fun aspect.

The gameplay has also evolved beyond the simple “get the ball, hit it in the goal, and score a point” approach. A multi-step scoring system and added AI make it more challenging and addictive. Brawls and attacks from characters feel smoother, and the overall experience has been enhanced.

Review

Sparkball has done a fantastic job of incorporating a variety of elements from different games, putting their unique spin on them, and creating an enjoyable experience for MOBA fans and newcomers alike. Some minor issues could be addressed to further enhance the high-speed gameplay, drawing inspiration from games like Rocket League. However, Sparkball offers a faster pace compared to League of Legends, with a smaller map and more features added to keep players engaged. Overall, Sparkball has succeeded in delivering an upgraded art style, characters, gameplay, and design that leads to a more enjoyable experience for both players and spectators.