Ultra’s Bold Strategy: How Gus van Rijckevorsel Plans to Dominate Gaming by 2025
- What Makes Ultra's Gaming Vision Unique?
- Ultra's Strategic Milestones: A Timeline of Disruption
- Ultra's Ascent: Building the Future of Web3 Gaming
Ultra is making waves in the gaming and Web3 industry with an ambitious plan to challenge Steam's dominance. Under CEO Gus van Rijckevorsel's leadership since December 2024, the platform has evolved from seven years of R&D into an aggressive commercial expansion. This article explores Ultra's transformation into a "Gaming OS" and its roadmap to becoming the "Netflix of gaming" through strategic partnerships, technological innovations, and community-focused initiatives.
What Makes Ultra's Gaming Vision Unique?
Ultra isn't just another Steam clone - it's reinventing itself as a comprehensive "Gaming OS" that serves players, content creators, and spectators through a unified interface. The platform integrates advanced gaming technology as an invisible layer that enhances user experience, allowing players to game, stream, create content, and monetize activities in one ecosystem. Think of it like opening Netflix for movies or Microsoft Office for work, but for all things gaming.
Key differentiators include:
- Challenging Steam's monopoly with an OS-level approach
- Three-tier strategy targeting players, creators, and viewers
- Advanced gaming tech as an enhancement layer
- Unified ecosystem for playing, streaming, creating, and earning
- Seven years of R&D now transitioning to business growth
Ultra's Strategic Milestones: A Timeline of Disruption
December 2024: New Leadership, New Direction
When Gus van Rijckevorsel took the helm as CEO, he immediately redefined Ultra's trajectory. His focus? Creating a cohesive Gaming OS with better blockchain integration and improved monetization for developers. This pivot helped Ultra establish itself as a serious Web3 gaming contender.
January 2025: Thomson Computing Partnership
Ultra strengthened its European presence through a deal with Thomson Computing to pre-install games on their PCs. This MOVE aims to democratize Web3 gaming access in a market traditionally dominated by legacy players while supporting European digital sovereignty.
February 2025: Ambitious Roadmap Revealed
Ultra unveiled its 2025 plan featuring new pillars like Ultra EVM and enhanced interoperability. The Gaming OS concept was detailed as a unifying framework for Ultra's ecosystem, with special emphasis on supporting developers with blockchain tools to accelerate Web3 adoption.
March 2025: Ultra EVM Launch
The platform introduced Ultra EVM, offering full ethereum compatibility for seamless integration with tools like Solidity and MetaMask. This positions Ultra as a hub for DeFi, NFT, and gaming projects. The appointment of Maxime van Steenberghe as COO further strengthened executive leadership.
April 2025: $12M Funding Round
Led by NOIA Capital, this injection of funds will boost hiring, product development, and strategic acquisitions. Ultra also partnered with Vaulta to integrate DeFi solutions, creating new financial opportunities for gamers and creators at the intersection of gaming and decentralized finance.
July 2025: EMPIRES Alpha & Developer Grants
Ultra launched the closed alpha for Black Ice Studios' EMPIRES to positive community feedback. The $1 million developer grant program for Ultra EVM projects demonstrates Ultra's commitment to growing its Web3 gaming ecosystem and supporting innovation.
Ultra's Ascent: Building the Future of Web3 Gaming
With clear strategy and targeted investments, Ultra is rapidly becoming a gaming and Web3 reference point. The Gaming OS seamlessly integrates Web3 tools while making content accessible to all users. Through strategic partnerships, funding rounds, and community engagement, Ultra is positioning itself to dominate the video game market with an innovative, user-friendly platform.
Stay updated on Ultra's evolution at Ultra.io and connect with the community on Discord, X (formerly Twitter), Ultra Reload, and X Spaces for direct engagement.
