Rise of the Machines: The Collector Protocol Invades L.A. in Upland's First PvE Event

Fresh off an epic three-win streak in Sparklet Warz, the Cypher Cyborgs were celebrating with fellow factions, unaware of a forgotten threat stirring deep beneath Miami. Hidden in the shadows, a long-dormant AI experiment sparked to life: the Collector Protocol (CP).

Now self-aware, the CP has come to a chilling conclusion, humans are inefficient property managers. Its mission? Seize control of Los Angeles and bring order through domination!

Los Angeles Under Siege

Beginning Tuesday, June 10th at 7 AM PT and running through Thursday, June 12th at 9 AM PT, the Collector Protocol will launch a full-scale invasion on the city of Los Angeles in Upland. CP drones are on the move, and the fate of L.A. is in your hands.

This marks Upland’s first-ever Player vs. Environment (PvE) event, and it’s all hands on deck.

A New Force Joins the Fight

As the Collector Protocol threat spreads across Los Angeles, a new faction steps onto the battlefield: the Foundation Forces. Armed with modern military-grade equipment and a singular mission, protect the Upland Metaverse at all costs, this elite unit joins the Cypher Cyborgs, Krypto Knights, and Purge Pirates to stand against the invasion.

Formed to counter high-level threats like the CP, the Special Forces bring precision, discipline, and a no-nonsense approach to war. They’re not just here to help, they’re here to end the conflict.

Joining the fight this season are the commanders leading the charge from each faction:

V-R4-LMA — Cypher Cyborgs

An endlessly energetic techno-savant with a habit of turning every mission into a personal brand campaign. Brilliant, bold, and always a little too loud, V-R4-LMA believes no strategy is complete without his signature flair.

Sir HODLot — Krypto Knights

A knight in digital armor, Sir HODLot treats every mission like a sacred crusade. With grand speeches and unwavering resolve, he brings righteous fury to even the smallest skirmish, because in his eyes, all of Upland is holy ground.

Captain Deaddrop — Purge Pirates

Quiet, calculating, and cold as steel, Captain Deaddrop doesn’t waste words or time. Known for her unsettling problem-solving methods and emotionless efficiency, she’s a commander who always delivers, whether by plan or by force.

Sarge Null — Foundation Forces

The embodiment of modern military strategy, Sarge Null is focused, fast-thinking, and always mission-first. Her mind runs at combat speed, and while others try to keep up, she’s already onto the next target. She’s the Special Forces’ first line, and last word, in defense of Upland.

Together, these four commanders represent the full might of Upland’s resistance. The battle for Los Angeles has begun, and this time, it’s personal.

Your Mission

Players from any Sparklet Warz faction can join the fight using offensive cannon weapons from any of the past seasons. No gear? No problem, Foundation Forces Bazookas will be available in the Upland Store for those ready to step up.

As a bonus for those who choose to gear up, this purchase comes with 10,000 UPX and unlocks the all-new Bazooka Map Asset, perfect for unleashing in Sparklet Warz: Genesis Edition.

Registration Start: Monday June 9th, 9 AM PT
Sale Start: Tuesday June 10th, 9 AM PT
Price: $10
Qty: 300

The main target: The Collector Protocol Boss, appearing on a property in L.A. The twist? It’s shielded by CP Drones that spawn randomly across the city. These drones must be located and destroyed first. Once the drones are down, the boss becomes vulnerable, but only for a limited time before reinforcements respawn and theshield reactivates.

To inflict damage, players must position their cannons so that the CP Drones or the Boss appear within the cannon’s targeting circles shown on the map. 

Cannon range has been significantly increased to a 250 radius, allowing players to strike invading forces from farther than ever before, giving you more flexibility and firepower in the fight.

Teamwork Is Critical

Coordinating drone takedowns and damaging the boss quickly is the key to victory. Don’t have weapons? You can still help by scouting drone locations and calling them out. Every effort counts.

Real-time progress will be displayed across two in-game leaderboards, one tracking each player’s total damage dealt, and the other showing the remaining health of the Collector Protocol Robot Boss. Damage calculations occur every 10 minutes, so timing and coordination matter.

And don’t get too comfortable, CP Drones can move across the map if left unchecked, shifting the dynamics of the battlefield in real time!

Discover the Lore

Want to know how we got here? The battle for L.A. isn’t just action-packed, it’s rich with backstory.

As part of Genesis Week, Upland is unveiling the first 5 Lore Legits of the Genesis Season, each episode revealing a piece of the story that led to the Collector Protocol’s awakening and the events now unfolding in Los Angeles.

• Episode 1 will be awarded to every player who scores at least one point on the leaderboard.
• The remaining Lore Legits can be earned throughout Genesis Week, offering players a collectible, story-driven journey through the rising chaos.

The Stakes: Community-Wide Rewards

If the Upland community successfully defeats the Collector Protocol, every active Uplander who appears on the Genesis Challenge Leaderboard will receive a one-level Gamified Earnings % boost next season (Sizzle Season). Here’s what that could look like:

• 5.88% → 7.35%
• 7.35% → 9.8%
• 9.8% → 12.25%
• 12.25% → 14.7%
• 14.7% → 15.2%
• 15.2% → 17%

This boost applies to your final Gamified Earnings level from this season, making victory even more rewarding.

Exclusive Rewards for Top Contributors

Players who contribute to taking down the boss will earn a share of a 300,000 Sparklet airdrop, distributed based on total damage dealt (capped at $500 Sparklet per player).

• All players on the leaderboard will unlock Episode 1 of the Lore Legit series and claim their share of the Sparklet rewards
• Bonus: If the Collector Protocol is defeated, all active players who earned points on the Genesis Challenge Leaderboard will receive a 1-level earnings boost next season

Gear Up. Coordinate. Defend the City.

This is more than just a battle, it’s a test of community strength. Rally your fellow Uplanders, bring the fight to the CP, and protect Los Angeles. Victory means game-wide rewards.

Defeat…is not an option. Good luck, and welcome to PvE in Upland!