Material10: The Startup That’s Breaking All the Rules in Gaming

Material10 is a next-generation game publisher developed by Co-Founder and CEO Maitham Mohamed.

Material10 is focused on creating engaging multiplayer games with a new business model pioneering open economies, redefining the gaming industry by taking advantage of their unique business model to solve core problems in the traditional free-to-play model. Having raised over $2 million and put together a team with experience working on titles such as Ghost Recon, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, and GTA, among others, Material10 is poised to make a major impact on the gaming industry.

How does Material10 Work?

Material10 got its start when the company recognized a need for a new business model in gaming monetization. Current models either charge an up-front purchase cost or rely on pay-to-win microtransactions. Recent trends in the industry have been attempting to combine these two common methods, much to the frustration of players. With advancements in blockchain technology, they realized they could tap into entirely new business models since it was now possible to create secondary markets where players could trade in-game virtual items with each other, and royalties/taxes could be enforced.

They aim to challenge traditional models by focusing completely on secondary monetization, generating revenue by taxing player-to-player trades rather than selling in-game items directly. With this model, Material10 is optimizing for a robust player economy that operates far more independently than direct primary monetization.

Barriers to Entry in Traditional Systems

Most free-to-play models tend to create artificial barriers for players, such as paywalls and reliance on microtransactions to progress or gain a competitive edge in the game. These models often foster discontent and quickly decrease engagement. The best kinds of free-to-play models often rely on “skins,” which players can purchase for a simple cosmetic alteration. However, these models struggle to stay afloat without big spenders, falling flat if the game doesn’t take off.

Material10’s model is a solution to the problems that have plagued free-to-play models since the beginning. Material10 simply makes all in-game items accessible for free, allowing players to engage deeply with the game without any financial barriers to play. The primary form of monetization will be a tax on player-to-player trades, creating a sustainable revenue model that emphasizes player engagement with both the game and each other. This system is designed to naturally create a player community and build overall satisfaction.

An Experienced Vision for Accessibility

As a gamer himself, Maitham recognized the potential of an in-game economy where the items were accessible to everyone.

“Growing up, I spent a lot of my time playing video games and was such a huge FIFA Ultimate Team Player,” Maitham recalls. “The game had a deep economy where you could trade and purchase in-game players, but they were often quite expensive. I was only 12 years old, and obviously, my parents didn’t give me money for in-game items, especially after already buying the game for me, so I had to figure out a way to make money trading these in-game items within their markets within the game to make enough ‘FIFA coins’ so I could purchase my favorite players. This really gave me an intuitive understanding of how open economies within video games can work, and it’s exactly why I'm working on Material10.”

Maitham’s Success with Material10

Maitham’s work has earned him a spot on Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Sports & Gaming category. His background in investment banking, corporate finance, and leading digital asset projects has provided him with the experience he needs to position Material10 as a leader in the gaming space. Maitham worked hard to raise funding for his new venture using strategic thinking and industry knowledge and secured $2 million from leading investors, including Blockchain Founders Fund, Big Brain Holdings, GSR, Trousdale Ventures, and Monoceros.

New Model, Fresh Experience

Building off of their unique and innovative approach to in-game economies, Material10 has now set about creating a fresh gameplay experience. The company is developing games like Project Fallen, a third-person shooter and real-time strategy lite experience where players control squads of soldiers while leveraging a drone-based aerial view. The game will emphasize pulling off tactical moves in the third-person while executing high-level strategies from above.

The project will utilize Material10’s new business model, aiming to fundamentally change the free-to-play experience and realize the full potential of monetization. Material10 expects this approach to enhance player engagement while aligning with modern expectations of fairness and transparency in gaming, a far cry from traditional pay-to-win models.

Leading Gaming into the Future

Material10 aims to be a leader in next-generation gaming, continuously reinventing what is possible in their space with new economic systems and community engagement tools. The company is committed to creating immersive, player-driven experiences that oppose traditional pay-to-win models, redefining the gaming landscape with a focus on sustainability, player satisfaction, and long-term engagement.