PlayChange.io launched the first phase of its free PlayChange Gym on Sept. 12 in celebration of National Video Games Day, giving gamers a new virtual space to explore, compete, and discover upcoming features.
Founded by Andrew Gilliam, the Atlanta-based gaming company is introducing the ground floor of the PlayChange Gym as the first step toward a planned three-floor virtual destination. The launch also represents the company’s first multiplayer test as it begins building a broader platform connecting gaming, sports, artificial intelligence, digital commerce and community engagement.
At launch, players will be able to explore the virtual environment, participate in boxing exercises inside a dedicated training room, compete for spots on a leaderboard and shop for PlayChange apparel and merchandise. The company also plans to introduce character updates each week following the initial launch.
PlayChange is positioning the Gym as a free gaming environment designed to put the player experience at the center. Rather than requiring users to pay for individual elements of the platform, the company wants players to have a place where they can spend time exploring and developing their characters.
“Gaming should begin with the experience, not with a price tag attached to every part of it,” said Gilliam, founder and CEO of PlayChange.io.
The Gym will serve as a foundation for several additional initiatives under development, including CryptoBoxers, a gaming project that combines boxing, gaming and athlete culture. The title is designed to give fighters and their audiences another way to interact while bringing elements of sports and entertainment into the gaming environment.
PlayChange is also expanding into music through a planned PlayChange Top 20 initiative. The program will highlight unsigned recording artists and give gamers opportunities to discover emerging music while providing selected artists with promotional support and assistance with music sales through the platform.
The company plans to accept a limited number of initial artist submissions through its website. Future music initiatives could include gaming playlists, mixtapes, original releases, artist promotion and collaborations between musicians and game developers.
Independent game developers are also being invited to submit concepts for potential publishing relationships with PlayChange. The company says the initiative is intended to create another avenue for promising independent games seeking attention and opportunities outside traditional industry channels.
Vernon King, chief content and talent officer at PlayChange, said the company developed the Gym after considering frustrations experienced by gamers across existing platforms.
With the PlayChange Gym now opening, CryptoBoxers in development and opportunities emerging for musicians and independent developers, PlayChange is beginning to roll out its larger vision for an interconnected gaming platform.