Ultra’s Bold Gamble: How Gus van Rijckevorsel Plans to Dominate Gaming and Web3 by 2025
- What Makes Ultra’s Gaming OS Different?
- 2024-2025: The Pivotal Moments
- The Money Moves
- Why This Matters
- FAQ: Your Ultra Questions Answered
In just seven months since Gus van Rijckevorsel took the helm as CEO, Ultra has transformed from a quiet R&D project into a disruptive force challenging Steam’s monopoly. With strategic partnerships, a $12 million funding round, and the launch of Ultra EVM, this “Gaming OS” is rewriting the rules of digital distribution. Here’s how they’re doing it—and why the industry is paying attention.
What Makes Ultra’s Gaming OS Different?
Forget copying Steam—Ultra’s playing 4D chess. Their “Gaming Operating System” isn’t just a storefront; it’s a unified ecosystem where players, streamers, and developers coexist. Imagine Netflix’s simplicity meets Ethereum’s blockchain capabilities. The platform integrates:
- Web3-native distribution with 15% lower fees than competitors (CoinMarketCap data)
- Built-in streaming tools rivaling Twitch
- A DeFi layer through their Vaulta partnership
As one BTCC analyst noted: “They’ve turned seven years of R&D into what might be gaming’s first true platform play since Steam.”
2024-2025: The Pivotal Moments
December 2024 – New Sheriff in Town
When van Rijckevorsel became CEO, he scrapped the “me-too” approach. His first memo read: “We’re not building another store—we’re building the iOS of gaming.” The team pivoted to:
- Simplify blockchain integration for devs
- Triple monetization options
- Rebrand as a full-stack OS
January 2025 – The Thomson Gambit
That pre-install deal with Thomson Computing? Genius move. Now every Thomson PC in Europe ships with Ultra’s launcher—a direct shot at Microsoft’s store dominance. Early reports suggest 240,000+ installations in Q1 alone.
March 2025 – EVM Goes Boom
Ultra EVM’s launch changed everything. Suddenly, ethereum devs could port games withcode changes. The result? A 300% spike in developer signups (TradingView data). New COO Maxime van Steenberghe told us: “We turned compatibility into a weapon.”
The Money Moves
April’s $12M funding round (led by NOIA Capital) fueled three key plays:
- Acquisitions: Snapped up two indie studios
- Grants: $1M fund for Web3 game devs
- EMPIRES Alpha: That Black Ice Studios collab everyone’s buzzing about
Fun fact: Their “Read to Earn” program (yes, for reading articles) distributed 18M tokens in July—talk about sticky marketing.
Why This Matters
Ultra’s not just another launcher. It’s attempting what no one has—to merge:
| Segment | Innovation |
|---|---|
| Gaming | One-click Web3 integration |
| Finance | In-platform DeFi via Vaulta |
| Content | Streamer revenue sharing |
As van Rijckevorsel quipped in his Cointribune interview: “Steam won’t know what hit them.”
FAQ: Your Ultra Questions Answered
How does Ultra make money?
Through a 10% transaction fee (vs. Steam’s 30%), premium subscriptions, and DeFi integrations.
Is EMPIRES any good?
The alpha’s Metacritic-esque player score sits at 84/100—not bad for a blockchain title.
When’s the mobile launch?
Roadmap suggests Q4 2025, but the Thomson deal hints at possible acceleration.
