Zone Nine Closed Playtest Begins

A New Kind of Blockchain Survival Shooter

The Zone Nine Closed Playtest has arrived, and it’s already making waves across the blockchain gaming scene. Designed as a 5v5 PvPvE third-person shooter, the game blends fast-paced combat, environmental survival, and post-apocalyptic chaos into one seamless package.

Set in a devastated world where two teams battle not only each other but also hordes of zombies and monstrous bosses, Zone Nine challenges players to strategize, survive, and dominate. The first team to hit the magic 999-point mark claims victory—but staying alive is far from easy.

For those lucky enough to join the Halloween Closed Playtest, it’s a taste of what could become one of the most ambitious blockchain games of 2025.

What Is Zone Nine?

Zone Nine is a AAA-quality zombie survival shooter built in Unreal Engine 5 and powered by Ancient8, an Ethereum-based Layer 2 chain on the Optimism Superchain. The developers describe it as the first major AAA Web3 IP ecosystem within Ancient8—one that combines traditional shooter mechanics with the digital ownership and transparency that blockchain technology brings.

Players can expect large, open maps, team-based survival gameplay, and a dynamic blend of player-vs-player and player-vs-environment challenges. You’re not only fighting rival squads—you’re also battling hunger, thirst, and stamina management while the undead close in from every corner.

Ancient8 Partnership and True Digital Ownership

One of Zone Nine’s standout elements is its integration with Ancient8, allowing players to truly own their in-game items through blockchain-backed assets. Every weapon, piece of armor, or consumable could exist as a tradeable item—bridging competitive gaming and Web3 economies.

Beyond gameplay, the developers are embracing a “Build in Public” approach, letting the community directly shape the game’s evolution. Every playtest, including the current Closed Playtest, is an opportunity for players to help refine mechanics and balance systems while contributing feedback that will ultimately define the game’s direction.

This level of transparency and collaboration is what sets Zone Nine apart from traditional shooters. It’s not just a game—it’s an ecosystem evolving alongside its community.

Inside the Closed Playtest: Nihilation Begins

The Closed Playtest, titled Zone Nine: Nihilation, serves as a testing ground for the game’s foundational systems. Even in this early phase, the core PvPvE gameplay loop is fully functional, including team battles, zombie encounters, and survival management mechanics.

Matches pit two teams of five players against each other, each competing to reach 999 points while battling zombies and giant mutated bosses.

Here’s how teams score:

• Defeating enemy players

• Killing zombies and boss monsters

• Turning in boss trophies at checkpoints

• Completing map-based objectives

Each team shares 20 respawn lives, making every death costly. Once the pool runs out, fallen players can’t return, raising the stakes for survival and coordination.

Survival Mechanics with Real Consequences

Zone Nine adds layers of realistic survival elements rarely seen in competitive shooters. Players must monitor their health, stamina, hunger, and thirst, each of which directly affects combat performance.

For example:

• Health regenerates slowly but consumes food.

• Stamina drains during sprinting or dodging and is restored by drinking water.

• Neglecting hunger or thirst weakens your combat ability.

This forces teams to think strategically—not just about firefights, but about resource management and timing. The line between victory and defeat can come down to how well your squad balances aggression and endurance.

Dynamic Weather, Infestation Zones, and Boss Encounters

The world of Zone Nine feels truly alive. A dynamic weather system and day-night cycle transform gameplay every few minutes. Rainstorms reduce mobility, Blizzards drain resources faster, and Fog severely limits visibility—keeping players constantly on edge.

The map also features dangerous Infestation Zones, marked with skull icons, where players can earn rare rewards by facing high-level zombies. Teams will need to secure checkpoints, which act as both respawn sites and trophy turn-in points for scoring.

Zone Nine’s monster design adds another layer of excitement. Players will encounter six zombie types, including three massive bosses:

• Meat Spider – an enormous, multi-limbed horror

• Meat Tank – a heavily armored brute

• Flea – a fast, deadly elite

Each boss drops special trophies that can be exchanged for bonus points, giving risk-takers a strong incentive to push into dangerous zones.

Weapons, Gear, and Consumables

The playtest currently features seven weapon types and five equipment categories, all with multiple rarity tiers.

Weapons include:

• M4A1

• AK-47

• Benelli M4

• Uzi

• Desert Deagle

• Glock-18

• Fire Axe

Equipment includes:

• Helmet

• Armor

• Boots

• Backpack

• Gloves

Players can also use consumables like Water, Food, Medicine, and Boosters to maintain performance or recover from damage. These RPG-style systems introduce tactical depth while hinting at a broader loot and progression structure to come.

Who Got Into the Closed Playtest?

Registration for the Closed Playtest ran from October 13–21, and about 20% of applicants—roughly 250 players—were accepted. Each participant received access through the Epic Games Store via whitelisted codes tied to their Epic Account IDs.

The developers were upfront: this early version is packed with bugs, but every tester’s input is crucial to improving performance, balancing combat, and refining mechanics. There’s no confirmed end date for this phase yet, but the team promises that future playtests will expand access as the game evolves.

The Road Ahead for Zone Nine

Zone Nine represents the next step in blockchain gaming, merging competitive action with on-chain ownership and community-driven development. Its combination of tactical shooter gameplay, deep survival mechanics, and blockchain-powered ecosystems make it one of the most promising projects in the Web3 space.

As the developers continue refining systems through active playtests, one thing is clear—Zone Nine isn’t just another shooter. It’s a bold experiment in how blockchain technology can elevate gameplay, player agency, and esports experiences.

For more news, updates, and insights about the evolving world of blockchain games, stay tuned to NFT Playgrounds.