Fig nabs blockchain outfit Ownage to help create new digital publishing platform

Crowdfunding outfit Fig has acquired Ownage, a UK-based blockchain development company, for an undisclosed fee. 

The Ownage team, including its co-founders Alex Amsel and Jack Du Rose, will now work with Fig to develop Shard, an "open, decentralized platform" for digital publishing. 

Neopets founder Adam Powell has provided the initial funding support for Shard, and Fig hopes the platform will succeed in offering a "community-based approach" funding. 

With that in mind, Fig plans to work with established game developers and brands to launch the fledgling platform and build engagement. 

"Shard seeks to accomplish what we set out to do with Fig, center the publishing process around the people who are most passionate about the properties being created - the community," said Fig CEO, Justin Bailey. 

"[The platform will offer] a unique community-based approach to the funding, engagement, and cross-promotion of games."

As you'd expect, the company will be integrating Shard into its crowdfunding campaigns, although developers and publishers will also be able to use it independently of Fig if they wish. 

"While Fig is sponsoring the development of Shard as an open, decentralized platform, it can be used and modified by publishers, developers and gamers completely independently of Fig," explained Alex Amsel, the creative lead on Shard. 

"Fig intends to support the growth of the Shard community throughout its early development, with a focus on working with game developers to explore new innovations and opportunities enabled by the platform."