Web3 Weekly 2/1

🟨 Jumping on the zkEVM Bandwagon: fun games are fun, but they’re a lot more fun on a zero-knowledge, EVM-compatible L2.

Author

Web3 No Re
February 01, 2024

gm/gn/gg players,

We’ve only just made it to February, and there have been over 6,000 layoffs announced across the gaming industry. We send our love out to those impacted - but look on the bright side - you now have time to watch the second season of the Halo TV series coming out next week.

We’ve been in the kitchen cooking and will still be rocking the condensed format. So here’s what we’ve got:

  • Jumping on the zkEVM Bandwagon: fun games are fun, but they’re a lot more fun on a zero-knowledge, EVM-compatible L2.

  • Insert Coin to Continue: The latest funding rounds in web3 gaming.

  • Partnerships: Who’s teaming up in the gaming world?

  • Change Log: Updates, patches, and new features from games we’ve covered.

  • Release Radar: Upcoming games, playtests, and drops.

  • On-Chain Activity: New on-chain game announcements and network migrations.

  • Other News: The other things that happened in web3 gaming this week.

  • Bonus Loot: Cool media we’ve been digesting this week.

Jumping on the zkEVM Bandwagon

It's (almost) finally here: The Immutable zkEVM mainnet is live and in an early access phase. The collaboration between Polygon Labs and Immutable was announced back in March and has attracted over 200 funded games into its ecosystem, including Eyeball Games, Imaginary Ones, Guild of Guardians, and Metalcore. The new blockchain ecosystem has also established commitments from key developers in the traditional gaming space, like Ubisoft, Square Enix, and Metap.

Hints about an airdrop for Immutable Passport users aside, we're very much drinking the zkEVM Kool-Aid and are ready for the inevitable onslaught of new game releases. Though we're not much of a game development studio, the opportunity for gasless transactions, interoperability, and EVM compatibility has inspired us to give it a shot.

Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a bit longer for the early access phase to end. In the meantime, though, there are going to be a few selected game studios and ecosystem partners who will be launching ahead of general availability. According to the Immutable team, Guild of Guardians, MetalCore, Shardbound, Meta Toy City, and Space Nation will be among the first games on the allowlist. Merit Circle, TokenTrove, and Axelar were also included as ecosystem partners that will have early access.

Insert Coin to Continue

The latest funding rounds in web3 gaming

  • Forgotten Playland ($7M). Forgotten Playland is a social party game developed by Vermilion Studios and built on Beam. The project raised $7M in a funding round from Merit Circle, Spartan Group, C2 Ventures, Paper Ventures, and others.

  • Mon Studios ($1.35M). Mon Studios is the development team behind the upcoming Immutable zkEVM game Spellborne, Guardians of Celestia. The seed funding round saw participation from Animoca Brands, YGG, Faze Clan, Immutable, and others.

  • GG (Private). GG is an AR style game similar to Pokemon Go launching on Solana. The raised funds in a private round ahead of its token launch from Delphi Digital, gmoney, Cooper Turley, Cozomo de’ Medici, and others.

Change Log

Updates, patches, and new features from games we’ve covered.

Partnerships

  • Smart Aliens x Elixir. Smart Aliens will join Elixir in a partnership agreement to see current and future Smart Alien NFTs and game updates on the Exlixir platform.

  • Animoca Brands x LightLink. Animoca Brands is partnering with the gasless Ethereum L2 blockchain LightLink to integrate LightLink technology into Animoca Brands projects.

  • Darewise Entertainment x DFZ Labs. Animoca Brands subsidiary and Life Beyond creator Darewise Entertainment entered a strategic partnership with Deadfellaz creator DFZ Labs to develop cross-ecosystem initiatives and incorporate brand IP into their respective games.

Release Radar

Upcoming games, playtests, and drops.

  • 🎮 Axie Origins (Season 7): Live

  • 🎮 Echoes of Empire (Full Release): Live

  • 🎮 Nekoverse: City of Greed (Full Release): Live

  • 🎮 OPENSEASON (Epic Games Store Release): Live

  • 🎮 Zerpmon (Beta): Live

  • 🎮 The Age of Mars, Red Chaos (Alpha): January 31

  • 🎮 Shrapnel (STX1 Event): February 8-10

  • 🎮 Bushi (Alpha): March 7

  • 🪙 Heroes of Mavia (MAVIA Airdrop Program): Live

  • 🪙 Army of Tactics (AFG Token Launch): Soon

  • 🪙 GG Airdrop: Soon

On-Chain Activity

New on-chain game announcements and network migrations.

  • UFORIKA (Immutable zkEVM). UFORIKA is an open world MMO gaming ecosystem developing 3D/VR experience for players.

  • Life Games (SKALE). Life Games is a blockchain-based gaming platform that allows players to play games against opponents and bet against eachother using a deflationary token.

  • R-Planet (WEMIX). Developed by WECAN, R-Planet is a military strategy game offering PvE and PvP arena modes.

Other News

Bonus Loot

  • 📘 Behind the Scenes: ‘Dimensional Rift’ Protocol Card, ARBO (Read)

  • 📘 Guest Article: Street Fighter II Hitboxes, Dammit (Read)

  • 📘 Why Farcaster Frames are Important, Spindl (Read)

  • 🎧️ Between Two Layers S2 EP10, Immutable (Listen)

  • 📺 Electronic Arts CEO Talks Sports Metaverse, EARNMOAR (Watch)

Reply

or to participate.