'Battle of the Three Kingdoms' Oasys Game Based on Sega IP Launching This Week

A beloved Sega franchise is getting a fresh blockchain-powered twist next week with the launch of KAI: Battle of the Three Kingdoms. Developed by Double Jump Tokyo, the strategic card battler reimagines Sega’s classic Sangokushi Taisen arcade series and will be available in early access starting Wednesday, April 30.

Announced on Friday, the game has been nearly two years in the making after Double Jump Tokyo secured a licensing deal with Sega to develop a Web3 version of the iconic property. With an enthusiastic fanbase already forming, early March pre-registrations have surpassed one million signups.

Before the full early access launch, players will have a chance to experience the game during a three-hour “load test” event on Monday, April 28. This initial test will be available only through PC browsers, and no player progress or data will carry over into the main game.

“The Oasys Special Event marked the beginning of a new era of blockchain gaming. With its strong partnerships with leading players in the gaming industry and its extensive pipeline of ecosystem updates, titles, and Verses, Oasys is well-positioned to become the leading blockchain platform for gaming,” said the announcement. 

A Modern Reimagining of a Sega Classic

KAI: Battle of the Three Kingdoms draws from Sega’s Sangokushi Taisen arcade series, which first debuted in 2005 and quickly became a fan favorite across Japan and beyond. Unlike the traditional arcade setting, this modern reimagining brings the tactical battles directly to PC and mobile.

Players can look forward to experiencing the game in English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese.

What truly sets KAI: Battle of the Three Kingdoms apart is its integration of blockchain technology via the Oasys gaming network. The game introduces “Awakened Warlords,” special cards minted as NFTs (non-fungible tokens), which will be the centerpiece of gameplay. Each Awakened Warlord card will feature unique skills that players must strategically use in battle.

Thanks to blockchain technology, players will have true ownership of these cards. They will be able to buy, sell, and trade cards freely on the open market. This is a departure from traditional gaming models, where in-game assets are typically locked within a game’s ecosystem.

According to the project's litepaper, these NFT cards are also essential for competitive progression. Owning and managing the right deck of cards will be key to climbing leaderboards and excelling in tournaments.

The game will also introduce a dedicated SGC token. Players can earn SGC through leaderboard performance, staking mechanisms, and tournament participation. SGC will be used to purchase card packs and unlock special endgame features, such as access to championship events and advanced tournament modes.

Early Engagement and Community Building

Ahead of the early access launch, Double Jump Tokyo ran a Telegram-based game to engage fans and build excitement. The experience allowed players to interact with the Battle of the Three Kingdoms IP, completing tasks and earning potential rewards.

However, with Telegram shifting its blockchain infrastructure exclusively to The Open Network (TON), the event was discontinued in February. Despite this, community interest remained high, as reflected in the strong pre-registration numbers.

Double Jump Tokyo's approach combines community-building initiatives with early gameplay previews to foster dedicated player bases even before a full launch.

The launch of KAI: Battle of the Three Kingdoms is part of Sega’s cautious expansion into the blockchain industry. Although Sega has generally been hesitant to fully accept blockchain technology for its major IPs, it has shown a willingness to experiment with licensed properties.

Beyond Sangokushi Taisen, Sega has also licensed its Code of Joker franchise for a blockchain-based game on the Sui network. Code of Joker: Evolutions, developed by Jokers Inc. under the Parasol gaming infrastructure initiative, revives Sega’s original 2013 arcade card game for web and mobile platforms using blockchain technology.

However, Sega remains protective of its core franchises. In a 2023 interview, then-COO Shuji Utsumi stated that Sonic the Hedgehog and other flagship properties would not be licensed for blockchain projects, citing concerns over potential brand dilution.

“Blockchain gaming is still an unknown world for us,” Utsumi remarked, adding that he was intrigued by the idea of NFTs capturing the emotional attachment players have to collectible cards, but stressed that Sega would tread carefully.

Blockchain Gaming Continues to Grow

KAI: Battle of the Three Kingdoms represents an important moment for Sega’s blockchain ambitions. Built on the Oasys blockchain, this launch shows how traditional gaming IPs are being adapted for Web3 environments.

Blockchain games offer unique advantages like real asset ownership, decentralized economies, and player-driven marketplaces. However, they also face challenges, including onboarding non-crypto native players, regulatory scrutiny, and ensuring that gameplay remains compelling beyond the novelty of NFT integration.

Still, the success of projects like KAI: Battle of the Three Kingdoms could help legitimize blockchain gaming in the eyes of mainstream gamers and traditional gaming companies alike.