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Welcome to our weekly roundup where we contextualize some of the recent news in blockchain games.
18th October
With Off The Grid now a wee- post-launch via PS5, Xbox and Epic Games Store, some of the industry’s initial reactions has been entertaining us. Limit Break’s Gabe Leydon – who loves big marketing but hates play-to-earn – has hailed it web3’s new Axie-moment. Sky Mavis’ co-founder and COO Aleksander Larsen has more moderately called it “interesting”, but also pointed out why it’s not a game suitable for Ronin.
Beyond narrow crypto gaming circles, the backlash has already started, with more traditional opinionators calling it the “So-Called Web3 Game Megahit”. But take heart, the industry has responded in an orderly manner, with Delphi Ventures’ Piers Kicks highlighting how blockchain will enhance the game – eventually.
In terms of other major headlines it’s been all about Azra Games and its $42.7 million series A funding for codenamed game Project Legends. Although no notable blockchain features or deployment plans have yet been unveiled, the recent funding seems to revolve around Azra Labs, which is a new dev arm focusing on enhancing content creation with the integration of AI.
Another deal announced was Oxalis Games which has raised $2 million for farming RPG Moonfrost.
As for blockchain game investments more generally, 2024 is looking bleak, with Q3 hitting a low of $128 million invested. In total so far 2024 is down 31% compared to the same period in 2023.
US studio Faraway Games has unveiled the legally independent F Foundation, which will launch and operate gaming-centered L1 blockchain Fchain. Based on Avalanche, Fchain is built to support numerous developers creating interoperable web3 game economies, starting with Faraway’s own ecosystem games.
BlockchainGamer editor-at-large Jon Jordan recently sat down for a great chat with Sky Mavis co-founder Jeff Zirlin to talk about how genAI fits into the Axie ecosystem, Ronin’s recent growth spurt and future transition into a permissionless zkEVM rollup, and more.
Finally, one year on since our first conversation with Dragginz co-founder Donna Powell, the former Neopets creators have announced its first playable is expected in late November.
Additional news
11th October
Perhaps moving into the final quarter of the year is why we’re starting to see more action in terms of actual game launches. This week we discuss:
Gunzilla Games’ launch of extraction royale thirdperson shooter Off The Grid through PS5 and on PC via Epic Games Store. Alongside the launch, it’s also running pioneer playtests on Xbox Series X. So why is this significant? With at least $100 million raised, it’s the first true triple-A title to launch in the web3 sector, but it’s also the first to land on console. And it’s seemingly already got some web3 features live.
We also talk about the partnership between Ubisoft’s Captain Laserhawk The G.A.M.E. and NFT marketplace Magic Eden. Notably, it will be the first Arbitrum-based game to mint on Magic Eden.
As for exciting launches, Ubisoft also announced its tactical RPG Champions Tactics, initially set for release in early 2024, which is based on Japanese blockchain Oasys, will drop Wednesday 23rd October.
No less than five years into development, The Sandbox has released Alpha Season 4. Comprising a $2.5 million SAND prize pool, the ten week-long season also comes with a new battle pass system, over 100 brand new experiences, and a social meeting place called the Alpha Hub. However good it is to see The Sandbox release a new (alpha) season, the prospect of a big breakthrough is likely not going to happen until it’s available on mobile though.
Immutable’s mobile squad RPG Guild of Guardians unveiled its biggest expansion to date, Frostmire, which will drop Wednesday 16th October. Among new features to expect are locations and dungeons as part of the main Adventure mode, as well as new gameplay elements and two new legendary guardians.
Are we starting to see the contours of what will be the future of how web3 games best leverage Telegram? At least it seems some developers are finding a way beyond tapping craze and token hype, with Tatsu Works’ Lumina Hunt being one example.
Serving as a companion game to Tatsumeeko, the RPG that recently migrated to Ronin, Lumina Hunt lets players collect Vabloons, which is the points-based currency used to rank players on a leaderboard. The higher you rank, the more TATSU tokens you will eventually be airdropped. Despite mainly revolving…