Variance isn’t exactly new, but it’s stepping back into the spotlight with an open playtest through the Somnia ecosystem. It’s a multiplayer survival shooter that mixes PvPvE elements in an arena format, wrapped in a Web3 framework.
Unlike many blockchain-connected games, Variance puts gameplay front and center. The latest playtest gives a look at how it actually plays, how Somnia’s tech is involved, and what’s changed since earlier testing phases.
PvPvE Arena Gameplay
At its core, Variance is a third-person shooter where players drop into a closed arena, fight each other, and deal with AI enemies while collecting loot. It’s part battle royale, part extraction shooter, and part arcade survival. Every match is a mix of direct combat, scavenging, and trying to stay alive until you can escape with your haul.
The sessions are short but chaotic. You’ll fight both other players and aggressive AI, with a goal to extract before the arena locks down. It’s a familiar structure if you’ve played titles like Escape from Tarkov or The Cycle: Frontier, though Variance keeps it more streamlined and less punishing.
Combat seems fairly basic right now, with standard weapons and movement, but the layered threats and extraction pressure give each match some intensity. There’s still plenty of room for tuning, especially around balancing AI difficulty and gear power.
Web3 Integration via Somnia
The current phase is open to anyone, with no whitelist or token gatekeeping. It’s designed to test stress limits, backend stability, and general gameplay flow. Players can collect loot, test extraction mechanics, and see how rewards are recorded across sessions.
There’s also a leaderboard system that tracks player performance, but it’s not fully fleshed out yet. Cosmetic rewards are being handed out for participation, but they’re mostly tied to early identity-building in Somnia’s network.
This isn’t a polished product yet. Expect rough edges, basic graphics, and unfinished systems. But that’s the point of the playtest — to see what works, what doesn’t, and where the tech stack holds up.
Looking Ahead
Variance is still in active development, with more content and features planned post-playtest. That includes deeper progression, new enemy types, and broader social systems.
Whether it evolves into a full release or stays in experimental territory depends on how the community responds and how the developers iterate. It’s clear they’re testing not just the game itself, but also how it fits into Somnia’s broader goals for a connected metaverse layer.
For now, Variance sits at the intersection of traditional arena shooters and blockchain infrastructure. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s trying something specific — survival-focused multiplayer that leverages Web3 tech without making it the main attraction.
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