DEFY Labs, the developer behind the move-to-earn augmented reality (AR) game DEFY, has raised US$3.5 million in a seed round led by Animoca Brands, OliveX, and Spartan Group.

Other investors who took part include Polygon Studios, GameFi Ventures, Bixin Ventures, Unanimous Capital, PathDAO, and Play It Forward DAO.

DEFY’s gameplay involves hacking missions that require players to explore their physical surroundings with the aid of augmented reality.

Rewards are distributed to players in the form of cryptocurrency and NFTs.

Alpha version of the mobile app will launch in mid-April.

DEFY’s gameplay blends a unique mix of AR, location-based interactivity, and hyper-casual code-breaking and hacking missions to create a unique experience for players around the world. Players take part in a Robin Hood-style revolution that pits them against an evil tech conglomerate. The game encourages players to explore their physical surroundings while earning in-game rewards, which are distributed as cryptocurrency and NFTs.