The Rise of GUNZ and $GUN Token in AAA Web3 Shooters

2025-03-31

Key Takeaways

  • AAA Gaming Meets Web3: Gunzilla Games is redefining blockchain gaming with GUNZ, a custom Avalanche subnet powering Off The Grid, a AAA cyberpunk shooter offering true item ownership via NFTs and seamless in-game crypto integration.
  • – Powerful Tokenomics: $GUN has a fixed 10B supply with strict vesting for investors and a buyback model funded by game revenue. Only 5–6% of tokens were initially tradable, aligning long-term incentives.
  • – Robust Tech Stack & Validator NFTs: GUNZ leverages Avalanche’s low-latency subnet tech, features EVM compatibility, and introduces Validator NFTs for node operation and staking rewards.
  • – Strong Launch & Future Roadmap: With backing from Binance, Delphi Ventures, and Animoca Brands, $GUN launched on Binance Launchpool in March 2025. Gunzilla plans multi-game expansion, UGC integration, and progressive decentralization.

what-is-gunz-and-the-gun-token-cover

The intersection of AAA gaming and blockchain technology is ushering in a new era of immersive, player-driven ecosystems. Gunzilla Games leads this movement with GUNZ, a bespoke Avalanche subnet built for high-end gameplay and true item ownership via NFTs. Its native token, GUN/USDT, powers an in-game marketplace and play-to-earn rewards, showcased in the flagship shooter Off The Grid.

This article explores $GUN’s tokenomics, the tech stack and Validator NFTs behind GUNZ, recent milestones like its Binance Launchpool debut, and the ambitious roadmap ahead.


Table of Contents

Introduction to GUNZ and $GUN

Tokenomics: Supply, Distribution, and Vesting

Technology Stack: GUNZ on Avalanche Subnet

Core Utility of $GUN

Recent Developments and Launch Highlights

Investor Backing and Key Partnerships

Market Performance of $GUN

Roadmap and Future Milestones

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Introduction to GUNZ and $GUN

Gunzilla Games, led by industry veterans and with backing from major venture capital firms, has developed a new blockchain ecosystem called GUNZ, featuring its native token GUN/USDT. The main showcase for this technology is the AAA cyberpunk shooter “Off The Grid” (OTG) – a next-generation “extraction royale” title. By leveraging Avalanche’s subnet technology, Gunzilla provides fast, low-latency transactions where players truly own in-game assets as NFTs, all powered by $GUN.

From 2022 to 2025, Gunzilla raised more than $100 million through a mix of equity and token sales. The studio prioritized building a polished gaming experience first, integrating blockchain functionalities in a way that remains “invisible” to traditional gamers. Only after completing crucial test phases did Gunzilla launch the $GUN token publicly in March 2025, partnering with Binance for a Launchpool distribution.

off-the-grid-gameplay
off-the-grid-gameplay-2

Image Credit: Off The Grid


Tokenomics: Supply, Distribution, and Vesting

Fixed Supply and Circulating Breakdown

  • Total Supply: 10 billion $GUN tokens
  • Launchpool Allocation: 4% (400 million tokens) distributed via Binance Launchpool.
  • Vesting & Reserves: Remaining 96% locked for investors, team, advisors, ecosystem grants, and rewards

At launch, only 5–6% of tokens were tradable (roughly 500–600 million). With an initial price near $0.10, $GUN’s circulating market cap was $50–60 million; fully diluted valuation stood at $1 billion.

gun-tokenomics

Image Credit: GUNZ Whitepaper

Investor and Team Lockups

  • Private Sale: 35–40% of supply to seed/strategic investors (e.g., Republic Capital, Griffin Gaming, Animoca Brands), with a 12-month cliff and 18-month vesting
  • Team & Advisors: 30-month cliff for core team, 12-month lock for advisors, followed by multi-year vesting
  • Ecosystem & Rewards: Locked for at least 12 months, released gradually for players and the GUNZ Foundation
gun-vesting-schedule

Image Credit: CryptoRank

Buyback and Burn Mechanisms

As a non-inflationary token, $GUN benefits from buybacks funded by in-game revenue. 30% of Off The Grid revenue goes toward buying $GUN on the open market. Tokens may be recycled into rewards or burned to balance supply, linking token health to game success.


Technology Stack: GUNZ on Avalanche Subnet

High Throughput & Low Latency

GUNZ is built as an independent Avalanche subnet, using Avalanche’s Snowman++ consensus for near-instant finality. This setup suits real-time multiplayer shooters, enabling seamless item ownership and on-chain transactions in the background.

gun-tech-stack

Image Credit: Gunz Official Website

Smart Contracts and NFT Integration

  • EVM Compatibility: Supports Solidity-based contracts, allowing developers to build marketplaces, token logic, and more with familiar tools
  • – ERC-721 NFTs: Weapons, skins, “HEX” loot boxes, and other items are minted on GUNZ and can be freely traded
  • – Marketplace & Wallet: An in-game NFT marketplace is integrated into Off The Grid, with a dedicated wallet for smooth transactions

Validator NFTs & Permissioned Subnet

In GUNZ’s permissioned model, only approved validators can run nodes. Validator NFTs represent node slots and grant the right to earn $GUN transaction fees. Early validators include crypto VCs like Delphi Ventures, which invested $6 million to secure a top spot.


Core Utility of $GUN

Marketplace Currency

All trades in the GUNZ NFT marketplace use $GUN. For instance, a rare gun skin can be listed for 100 $GUN, with ownership transferring on-chain.

    Play-to-Earn Rewards

    Off The Grid (OTG) doles out $GUN for various gameplay achievements: daily quests, match wins, or extracting with valuable loot. The reward pool is replenished partly by the buyback mechanism.

      Gas and Network Fees

      Similar to ETH on Ethereum, $GUN serves as the “gas” token for transactions on GUNZ. While casual players might not see these fees (due to user-friendly design), it remains a core pillar of the network’s operations.

        Validator & Staking Incentives

        Node operators (and possibly delegators in the future) earn $GUN rewards for securing the subnet. The Validator NFTs model is designed to expand further as the network matures.

          off-the-grid-gameplay-1

          Image Credit: Off The Grid


          Recent Developments and Launch Highlights

          2024: Early Access and Testnet Traction

          • Off The Grid Early Access: In October 2024, Gunzilla released OTG on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Testnet $GUN and NFTs introduced players to its blockchain mechanics.
          • GAM3 Awards 2024: In November, OTG won four categories, including Game of the Year and Best Action—validating AAA Web3 gaming.
          gun-key-metrics

          Image Credit: GUNZ Whitepaper

          Late 2024: Strategic Partnerships

          • Delphi Ventures: Invested $6 million and secured a validator partnership.
          • GUNZ Foundation: Launched as a non-profit to manage governance and treasury allocations.

          Q1 2025: Binance Launchpool & Mainnet

          • Binance Partnership: In March, Binance announced $GUN as its 66th Launchpool project. Over 1.6 million users staked BNB and stablecoins to farm $GUN.
          • Mainnet Launch: On March 31, 2025, GUNZ went live. $GUN debuted around $0.10 and stabilized between $0.10–$0.12 in its first days.

          Investor Backing and Key Partnerships

          Gunzilla has attracted a strong mix of gaming and crypto investors:

          • Seed Round (2021–2022): Raised over $46 million from Republic Capital, Griffin Gaming Partners, and Animoca Brands.
          • – Avalanche / Blizzard Fund: Co-led a $10 million token round in March 2024.
          • – Delphi Ventures, CoinFund, Morningstar: Contributed funding, validator infrastructure, and advisory support between 2022–2024.
          • – Coinbase Ventures, Jump Crypto, VanEck: Participated in later rounds, adding institutional credibility.
          • – Binance: Key partner for token distribution via Launchpool and centralized exchange listing.
          • – Epic Games Store:Off The Grid is listed on a mainstream PC gaming marketplace, increasing exposure.

          Backed by deep financial and strategic support, Gunzilla is well-positioned to lead in blockchain gaming.

          gunz-funding

          Image Credit: ICO Drops


          Market Performance of $GUN

          Initial Listing and Price Action

          • Launch Date: March 31, 2025, on Binance
          • – Listing Price: Around $0.10, with a $1 billion fully diluted valuation
          • – First 24 Hours: Over 20 million $GUN traded, briefly hitting $0.12. Despite Launchpool distribution, the token avoided a major sell-off, showing strong buy-side demand.

          Trading Volume and Liquidity

          • – Binance: Offers GUN/USDT and possibly GUN/BNB pairs, with high daily volume
          • – Other Exchanges:XT.COM and tier-2 platforms also list GUN/USDT
          • – On-Chain Activity: Thousands of GUNZ wallets activated post-launch, showing growing real user adoption

          Circulating Market Cap vs. FDV

          At $0.10–$0.12, the circulating market cap is around $60–70 million (5–6% unlocked), while fully diluted valuation nears $1.2 billion. This highlights the impact of long-term vesting and future growth expectations.


          Roadmap and Future Milestones

          2023–2024: Foundations and Early Access

          • – GUNZ Testnet: Launched on Avalanche’s subnet with a pilot mini-game, “TECHNOCORE,” to test network performance
          • – Off The Grid: Entered closed beta mid-2024, early access in Q4; introduced NFT minting on the GUNZ testnet

          Q1 2025: Mainnet and Token Launch

          • – Binance Launchpool (Mar 27–30): 400M $GUN distributed
          • – GUNZ Mainnet (Mar 31): Fully integrated with Off The Grid, enabling real $GUN transactions for in-game items and rewards

          Late 2025

          • – Off The Grid Full Release: Launches with new maps, story content, and possible expansions like “Prisoner’s Dilemma”
          • – Ecosystem Expansion: GUNZ Foundation to onboard more developers and games into the shared $GUN/NFT ecosystem
          • – Staking & Validators: More Validator NFTs, partial open staking, and subnet expansion based on performance

          2026 and Beyond

          • – Multi-Game Universe: Several AAA or indie games on GUNZ using $GUN for gameplay and transactions
          • – UGC & Modding: Possible integration of user-generated NFT content
          • – Cross-Chain Bridges: Trustless links to Ethereum and other blockchains for broader NFT interoperability
          • – Progressive Decentralization: Gradual shift toward open validation without compromising performance

          Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

          Q1: What is GUNZ in relation to Avalanche?

          A: GUNZ is a dedicated Avalanche subnet using its consensus for speed and security, while operating with custom blockchain parameters. This enables optimized performance for gaming and real-time item ownership.

          Q2: How do I earn $GUN in Off The Grid?

          A: Complete daily quests, win matches, or extract rare loot to earn $GUN. A buyback mechanism (30% of game revenue) replenishes the rewards pool for ongoing distribution.

          Q3: Can I sell my in-game NFTs outside of Off The Grid?

          A: Yes. As an EVM-compatible chain, GUNZ allows NFTs to be moved to supported wallets or listed on marketplaces like OpenSea, though bridging may be required.

          Q4: Are there any token burns planned for $GUN?

          A: The team may burn tokens in the future. Currently, a buyback system recycles tokens into rewards to help manage supply.

          Q5: How can I become a validator on GUNZ?

          A: Validation requires a Validator NFT and specific hardware. Gunzilla plans to expand validator access and may introduce delegated staking over time.

          Q6: Why is the $GUN price so different from private sale prices?

          A: Early investors bought in at lower prices but are under long-term vesting. The current price reflects limited circulating supply and short-term demand.


          Conclusion and Next Steps

          GUNZ’s $GUN token anchors a player-driven ecosystem that blends AAA game development with Web3 innovation. With user-friendly design, fast transactions, and true digital ownership, Gunzilla Games aims to onboard both crypto users and traditional gamers into its blockchain-powered economy.

          Following a successful Binance Launchpool debut in March 2025, $GUN has shown stable early performance and strong interest in AAA blockchain gaming. Gunzilla’s roadmap emphasizes community growth, expanding partnerships (including new studios), and refining Off The Grid.

          Interested in exploring the ecosystem?

          Whether you’re a gamer or investor, GUNZ offers a front-row seat to the future of AAA Web3 gaming.


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