NBA Stars LaMelo and Lonzo Ball will be featured in NFT game ‘StrayShot’
StrayShot, an upcoming battle royale shooter game, has secured a partnership with NBA sensations LaMelo and Lonzo Ball. The deal also extends to their family’s lifestyle label, Big Baller Brand (BBB), making this partnership a wholesome family affair. Developed by iBloxx Studios, the game will feature these basketball giants and their renowned families as in-game playable NFT characters.
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Game launch and character details
Currently in its public beta phase, StrayShot, formerly known as 0xBattleGround, is poised for a potential release between December and February 2024. Once the game officially rolls out, players will get a detailed look at the NFT characters based on LaMelo and Lonzo Ball. These characters will be seen donning military-themed outfits combined with BBB’s signature apparel.
The collaboration doesn’t stop at the Ball brothers. LaVar Ball, the dynamic father who is also the CEO of BBB, and his wife, Tina Ball, are also expected to feature in the game. An enthusiastic LaVar Ball mentioned in a statement:
“My boys and me will not only dominate the basketball court; we will also dominate the battleground of StrayShot!”
LaMelo and Lonzo go beyond basketball
All three ball brothers are professional basketball players: LaMelo and Lonzo are point guards for the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls, respectively, while LiAngelo plays for the Greensboro Swarm in the NBA G League.
However, their passion isn’t just limited to the basketball court. The partnership doesn’t come as a complete surprise, as both players are known to be avid gamers. In his free time, Lonzo is known to engage with video games like NBA 2K and Madden, while LaMelo has recently launched his own esports brand called MB1 Gaming.
Blockchain integration with StrayShot
StrayShot is making impressive strides by integrating SKALE, an Ethereum scaling network, to facilitate its blockchain integration. With a commitment to recording “all major aspects of the game on-chain”, Jack O’Holleran, the CEO of SKALE Labs, further clarified that all in-game items would be represented as NFTs, tracked on-chain.
An added advantage for players is the seamless in-game transaction process, which doesn’t necessitate them to authenticate using crypto wallets. Moreover, the game will also introduce an ERC-20 token, which players can claim by participating in tournaments.
Big Baller Brand’s evolution and controversies
BBB, while being an integral part of this collaboration, has seen its fair share of controversies. In 2018, the brand’s reputation took a hit with a disappointing “F” score from the Better Business Bureau. Although the rating has since improved to a “C+”, concerns remain. However, after a rebranding in 2020, LaVar Ball expressed immense confidence in BBB’s potential, claiming its worth to be around a billion dollars.
