Yoda Labs Monthly Recap

As the journey of June comes to an end it has certainly been a jubilant month with jam-packed gaming news. Nike and their. Swoosh platform made headlines with their collaboration with Fortnite and EA Games. Yoda Labs released the most in-depth look at the Avalanche gaming ecosystem. We saw the first-ever Web3 Gaming Expo by 3XP, and some big announcements by Ava Labs and Champion Ascension were dropped. While the SEC continues to throw its weight around by naming prominent gaming tokens as securities. What was the juiciest news for you in June?

Also in our monthly round up:

• Gods Unchained joins Fortnite on Epic Games Store

• Minecraft has not officially banned NFTs,

• Heroes of Mavia announces beta launch

• Polygon has a new partner to launch Web3 mobile games quickly

• Can embedded messaging drive hype and engagement

• 22 yr old secures 10$M in seed round funding

• Learning lessons from the past for better Web3 games

• Metaverse projects accounted for 44% of Web3 investments

• Bored Ape creators revealed their new game

• Avalanche’s Shrapnel, one of the most anticipated Web3 games, opens its creator tool for the public

• Animoca Brands highlights AI and blockchain as the future trend

The most in-depth research on the Avalanche Gaming Ecosystem

Why it might be the chain to rule gaming

Co-authored by BGA & DappRadar 

Web3 Gaming News 🎮

• Gods Unchained joins Fortnite and League of Legends on Epic Games Store, aiming to expand its audience and player base.

• Shiba Inu P2E game to feature breeding and rental mechanics for Shiboshi NFTs. This could increase the value of Shiboshi NFTs and make the game more accessible to players.

• Retro Hunters is an NFT game combining auto-battler strategy and haunted arcade setting, featuring Genesis NFTs as playable heroes.

• Crypto malware found in Super Mario 3: Mario Forever installer, potentially mining cryptocurrency and stealing personal information.

• MetaBlaze the Web 3 Gaming, and AI Company, is proud to announce partnerships with two of the most prominent Gaming Guilds in Web3

• Mobox introduces MoDragon Adventures, 28-day event for MoDragon owners, offering more NFT interaction and rewards.

• Arbixel launches Genesis NFT minting phase, offering 512 unique NFTs with exclusive features, boosted rewards, and early access to new content.

• Golden Inuverse, a 3D open-world game on Binance Smart Chain, allows players to earn $GOLDEN tokens through battles, exploration, and trading.

• MetaPlayerOne is a platform that allows NFT game assets to interact with each other, giving players more control and opportunities to earn money.

• Nike collaborates with Fortnite to introduce in-game NFT apparel, promoting innovative virtual engagement and product marketing strategies.

• Bored Ape creators reveal a new mech game, marking an interesting addition to their digital ecosystem.

• Zerpmon, the digital collectible creature game by XRP Ledger, as the team unveiled that players can earn XRP directly into their Xumm Wallet with every daily victory.

• Animoca Brands expands outside of US, leveraging blockchain gaming and NFTs to overcome US regulatory challenges and capitalize on international markets.

• Ethereum Blast the color-matching puzzler, available on mobile, is a game where casual players can earn ETH and BTC but is heavy on ads - should it be? 

• Minecraft has not officially banned NFTs, but the team still sticks by its stance as they want to avoid ways that “gate” or restrict access to certain content or features on fan-operated game servers.

Should NFTs be banned in games?

Back in 2021, Microsoft reported 141 million monthly active players across devices for its popular game Minecraft. It caught the attention of the Web3 gaming industry with the announcement of a ban and exclusion of NFTs.

Mojang said specifically that it would ban the use of NFT assets in ways that “gate” or restrict access to certain content or features on fan-operated game servers. Whilst the game publisher allows players to charge for access to servers, such features must be available to everyone to purchase. With NFTs, there could be features limited to a small set of asset owners.

Citing that NFTs and blockchain technologies establish digital ownership through scarcity and exclusion, thus conflicting with Minecraft's values of creativity and inclusivity Mojang argued that NFTs divide the community into haves and have-nots, lacking inclusivity.

12 months is a long time in Web3, both technology and trends move at pace. Even though Mojang is currently sticking to its stance (but not updating its terms). The rise of Free Mint, Subscription, and Membership NFTs proves that Web3 tech can be incorporated into games without upsetting traditional gamers and or diving communities. In fact, superfans could have a closer relationship with gaming creators thus embracing inclusivity at a level that is currently not available.

• Since launch of Escape Velocity, Solana’s Star Atlas records 46.8M transactions, achieving 2.093M transactions in one day.

• Phantom Galaxies initiates Phase 2 of its beta 2 version, expanding the gameplay experience for its users, and introducing more dynamic features and social meetups.

• Heroes of Mavia announces beta launch on June 30th, this beta's two phases will lead to a game launch at year's end.

• Season 3 of 'My Neighbor Alice' introduces a new 'Craft In Alpha' feature, adding a fresh dimension to the game.

• Axie Infinity Homeland introduces Land Delegation feature, enhancing virtual ecosystem collaboration and economic prospects.

• Polygon and Ready Games launch Web3 mobile game SDK, integrating blockchain in mobile games, giving developers an easy way to build and launch Web3 games.

• SparqNet partners with Hypatia Games studio to bring high-speed, captivating gaming to the blockchain.

• Cronos Labs partners with Google Cloud to accelerate Web3 development, leveraging infrastructure and tools for innovation and decentralized application growth.

• DappRadar partners with Pacific Media and Polygon to host Web3 Game Night at the Japan Blockchain Week, serving as a testament to Japan’s growing influence in the Web3 game space.

• Twitch introduces 'Only Up: Goblintown' with subtle references to an NFT project to the incognizant viewers showcasing innovative blockchain technology integration in the traditional gaming industry.

Using embedded messaging to drive hype and engagement

Embedded messaging is a technique that is seen across media and entertainment. Whether that is REDRUM and its reference to “Murder” in the film Shining or Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (referring to LSD) in the famous Beatles song, subliminal messaging has been around for an age.

We’ve seen it in games too, Metal Gear Solid includes the words “Wake Up” and We are Watching You” when the code is decompiled. Whilst Silent Hill includes words and “Fear” and “Pain” within its environment.

Those that pick up on it are often more engaged as it creates a sense of excitement and anticipation as well as a potential uptick in sales and hype. The use of such techniques could also tease upcoming content, in-game events, or triggers for social interaction.

The IP surrounding Goblintown is no stranger to gaming presence. With its recent partnership with DeLabs and its presence found in Ruble Racing Stars, this NFT collection is getting into gaming without building a game. We’ve spoken about how eSports could onboard traditional gamers, as payouts, participation, and prizes are Web3 based. The use of product placement and subliminal messages is another way to entice gamers to dig into the rabbit hole of Web3 gaming.

As they say IYKYK.

• GameFi and Oasys launch Oasys Navi, an NFT gaming marketplace supporting INO and IDO campaigns, aiming to grow the market and engage gamers.

• Sky City beta features conversational AI NPCs powered by Convai, allowing players to learn, help with quests, and engage in conversations.

• SEC classification of gaming tokens impacts Web3 gaming ecosystem, claims to ensure investor protection and market integrity, but raises compliance concerns and challenges

• Thirdweb hires former Facebook executive to drive Web3 gaming industry growth by building infrastructure and dev tools that will power the biggest games in blockchain gaming.

• Jump Crypto and Google Cloud launch "Web3 Gaming Week," promoting Web3 gaming, blockchain technology, and innovation through events, networking, and gaming experiences.

• Apple's AR headset is expected to revolutionize gaming and the metaverse with advanced features and exciting capabilities.

• Paima Studios introduces Web3 engine containing additional features geared to port legacy games onto Cardano

• Gala Games unveils Mirandus, a blockchain-powered fantasy MMO with a rich storyline and player-driven economy.

• NEAR Foundation, Aurora Labs, and MARBLEX collaborate to accelerate Korea's Web3 gaming industry, enhancing scalability and accessibility through Aurora's blockchain layer.

• Racer Club is an innovative NFT project aiming to disrupt the racing industry, despite challenges and volatility.

• Gaming blockchain COMBO surges 90% after announcing its ecosystem fund to support builders.

• Worldspark Studios invites Cloud9 and G2 Esports to showcase Sparkball in Ascension Invitational, a fusion of League of Legends and Rocket League.

• SHRAPNEL INSIGNIA public beta opens, allowing users to create personalized designs and build unique brands with various customization options.

• Web3 games gain popularity on iOS, despite Apple's reluctance to use NFTs, generating billions in revenue.

• Fungiball the Web3 tennis game offers NFT cards' where rarity and worth change when real-life tennis players perform, delivering a dynamic and interactive gameplay experience.

The Future of Web3 Sport Sims

Has Web3 fantasy tennis game Fungiball just set a benchmark on how to execute sports sims on the blockchain? It certainly makes a compelling case. The game simulates professional tennis players and gamers can collect and exchange player skill cards to create a tennis champion to compete against others. Usual gaming mechanics are in play where Silver, Gold, and Platinum NFT scarcity leagues exist.

But here comes the twist. A gamer can compose a tennis player with real ATP/WTA statistics. This extra level of engagement entices players to defeat their opponents, develop the best player and add the resource cards like coaching, and sponsors, it takes personalized gameplay to a new level.

Standard features like leaderboard, tournaments, and career mode throughout the season still exist but Fungiball has managed to partner with over 80 top 1000 tennis players, including Zhizhen Zhang, Constant Lestienne, Jaume Munar, Dusan Lajovic, and Edouard Roger Vasselin.

With negotiating set to continue to bring on board more than 300 player associations the team behind the project is working closely with these athletes ensuring authenticity and a healthy tennis ecosystem. The revenue-sharing strategy supports player careers while gamers enjoy a truly engaging gaming experience. The team is certainly making a name for itself.

• Sui and Intella X launch most games in May 2023, contributing to the blockchain gaming industry's growth and diversity.

• Machines Arena preview suggests it could be the next Overwatch, gains attention, and features fast-paced multiplayer battles and diverse characters.

• Gods Unchained mobile version offers immersive gameplay, collectible card mechanics, and cross-platform accessibility for players on the go.

• Nike and EA Sports partner to integrate .SWOOSH platform's NFT sneaker collection for enhanced customization options but insists NFTs will not be in the games.

• NFT Gaming Inc. files patent for novel NFTs for Gaxos platform, enabling avatar creation and community-building.

• Arbitrum launches Layer 3 XAI Network designed specifically to power Web3 games. This significant development aims to solve current scalability issues of blockchain gaming technology.

• NFL Rivals, a hybrid Web3 mobile game combining football and blockchain technology, has achieved a million downloads.

3XP Web3 Gaming Expo

• Ava Labs unveiled Avalanche Arcad3, a game developer platform at the 3XP Web3 Gaming Expo, offering tools, infrastructure, and support for Web3 games on the Avalanche blockchain.

• Champions Ascension, by Plai Labs announced that it is moving over to the Polygon blockchain at the 3XP Web3 Gaming Expo.

• Web3 RPG 'Stella Fantasy' by Ring Games plans to release on Steam and mobile, aiming to increase accessibility and attract a larger user base.

• Mino Games releases alpha version of Dimensional's first character. Players can now experience the unique gameplay and features offered by this Web3 RPG.

3XP roundup by Yoda Labs

The Web 3 Gaming Expo hosted by 3XP was an extraordinary event that left a lasting impression. The eSports Arena showcased thrilling games like Mega Weapon and Champions Ascension, captivating attendees with their skill and innovation. The exhibition area featured a diverse range of gaming projects, highlighting the creative and technological advancements in Web3 Gaming. Avalanche Gaming made a significant impact, supporting multiple titles and providing comfortable gaming chairs for visitors.

The Main Stage was a hub of knowledge, with industry titans sharing insights and shaping the future of gaming. Johnny Casamassina's talk “Champions Ascension: Changing the Game with Player Ownership“, drawing upon his extensive experience, resonated with the audience. The offsite events provided opportunities for attendees to connect on a personal level. The DeFi Kingdoms MeetUp and CaeserVerse Toga Party fostered inclusivity and camaraderie.

The grand finale took place at the iconic Faze Clan Headquarters. Attendees enjoyed basketball, beer pong, go-karting, and made lasting connections. The event created a sense of anticipation for the future. With plans for future expos already in motion, the excitement for 3xp 2024 and beyond was palpable.

All in all, the Web 3 Gaming Expo showcased the limitless potential of the Web3 gaming industry. Attendees left with cherished memories, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the evolution of whats in store.

Web3 Gaming Trends 🚀

• Avalanche Arcad3 empowers Web2 gaming studios with blockchain technology, enabling seamless integration into games, NFTs, and decentralized finance making the onboarding of developers easier.

• Ava Labs focuses on enhancing Avalanche gaming platform by attracting developers and investing in research and development.

• NFTs enhance competitive strategy games by providing rare, powerful assets, enhancing player engagement, monetization strategies and authentication through blockchain technology.

• Myst creators have developed an AI-powered game Firmament, but are receiving backlash from gamers who are left disappointed. Are players not ready for AI-assisted content in the games?

Focussing on the success of the past

The Play-to-Earn model was one of the most popular trends in gaming in 2021. However, the bear market and a series of hacks have led to a decline in popularity. Take note of the Free-to-Play model (F2P). This has been the most successful model in gaming for many years. F2P games allow players to try the game for free before they decide to spend money. This can help to attract a wider audience and increase the chances of success. Additionally, F2P games can generate revenue through in-game purchases, which can help to fund the development and maintenance of the game.

Web3 games have the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry, but they need to learn from the successes and failures of Web2 games. Web3 games can succeed by focusing on gameplay. If a game is fun and enjoyable this will increase its appeal. Web3 games should also strive to be accessible to a wide range of players. This means that they should be available on a variety of devices and platforms - with Apple loosening their stance and games stores like Epic Games embracing Web3 the future is very bright.

3VERSE which operates in the ever-popular genre of multiplayer online battle arenas seems to have found the right balance. A F2P game that has fun and engaging gameplay keeps players coming back for more. Those that stay have the opportunity to earn, so time isn’t wasted and rewards can be exchanged for crypto. With a passionate community that is active on social media and is welcoming to new comers, this is the type of supportive environment that is necessary for a Web3 game to succeed, which has been an increasing trend in 2023.

• Fractal, founded by Justin Kan, launches FStudio, a platform for blockchain game development, accelerating efficiency in building a Web3 game and adoption in the gaming industry.

• ZK scaling technology revolutionizes decentralized gaming by addressing scalability challenges and enhancing gameplay and security.

Scaling to the heights of supporting millions of users through blockchain

It is no secret there is a consistent need for in-game personalization. One indicator of this ‘want‘ is the market for skins, which reached $50 billion in 2022. With many players owing tens, hundreds, or even thousands of in-game items Web2 gaming assets have always been a one-way street, where funds flow from gamers to developers and publishers.

Blockchain and true asset ownership puts players in control of their assets. Web3 disrupts by opening the in-game economy to players and letting them take their bespoke digital assets between games, turning gaming into an interoperable, immersive environment. But with games like Fortnite, League of Legends attracting million upon million of players, Ethereum like blockchains can only process 30 transactions per second. Way short of what is needed to accommodate the vast number of players.

This is where Zero Knowledge scaling technology is looking to address this scaling issue. ZkEVM technology offers global scale and security by bundling transactions for off-chain validation, reducing mainnet load, boosting throughput 600x, and lowering fees. This is vital for games with high-volume, low-cost transactions. These games will function like ecosystems, not isolated entities. Thus enabling assets, avatars, and profiles to move across platforms effortlessly, promoting user liquidity and access. Transactions will be streamlined to one or two clicks, removing the need for separate wallets. This enables unprecedented interoperability across all titles and services, revolutionizing traditional gaming.

• Ezzy Game introduces Web3 application combining M2E and P2E interactions for unique gaming experiences.

• Me3, Web3 gaming wallet, offers 15-second setup process, prioritizes user experience, and streamlines onboarding for efficient gaming as we see more initiatives on frictionless and invisible onboarding

• Another traditional game, Eternal, to become a Web3 game, incorporating blockchain technology, digital ownership, and decentralized economies for engaging gaming experience.

• Animoca Brands highlights AI and blockchain's potential to revolutionize gaming and digital innovation.

AI and blockchain gaming made for each other?

Robby Yung, the boss of Animoca Brands, believes that AI and blockchain can work seamlessly together in the world of video games. He suggests that AI can make games feel more real and exciting, while blockchain can make gaming more safe and open. Specifically by keeping game data in a secure place that everyone can see. He also goes on to highlight how AI can help make games better, especially for players with disabilities by giving them helpful features..

With its current adoption rate, it’s becoming clearer that AI and blockchain are becoming more important in the future of gaming. As well as the points mentioned above, Yung feels that combining these two technologies can really change the gaming industry. AI can create more realistic characters and worlds, making games more immersive.

It is clear to see that AI and blockchain are two big technologies that will shape how games are made in the future. As these technologies keep getting better, we can expect games to become more creative and absorbing.

Web3 Funding News 💸

• Mythical Games raises $37M for NFL Rivals, aiming to build crypto infrastructure and expand user base.

• Algorand and DWF Labs enter $50M deal to purchase ALGO tokens and allocate funds to DeFi, art, gaming, oracles, bridges, and infrastructure projects.

• Pixion Games raises $5.5 million in seed funding for Fableborne, an action-based role-playing game on the Avalanche network.

• Anichess raises $1.5 million in seed round for decentralized chess game, partnering with Chess.com and Play Magnus Group, combining traditional rules and esports elements.

• DigiToads, an early-stage NFT gaming project, raised $6 million in presale, with potential for dominance due to strong community, and innovative tokenomics.

• Animoca Brands secures strategic investment for an undisclosed amount from Japan's Mitsui, the deal comes at a time when the Japanese government is calling for the adoption of Web3 as a national strategy.

• The Swords of Blood, a Web3 hack-and-slash game, has successfully raised over $1.31M in its pre-sale campaign.

• Cat Paradise, a P2P blockchain game on the TON network, raised nearly $1 million in a seed funding round at a $15M valuation.

• HyperPlay raises $12 million in Series A funding, focusing on open, developer-friendly games using NFTs and crypto tokens, and supporting international expansion.

• Argus, a Web3 gaming studio, raises $10 million in funding to build a new Ethereum layer2 network of gaming blockchains.

• Binance Labs and investors fund $6.6 million seed round for Fusionist, supporting early-stage Web3 gaming innovation.

• Transak raises $20 million in funding round, focusing on fiat-to-crypto payment solutions, expanding global presence, and driving web3 adoption.

• Illuvium secures $10 million funding from Framework Ventures, strengthening its position in blockchain gaming.

• Haun Ventures leads $10 million seed round for Argus, a Web3 gaming studio, to support development and expansion, showcasing growing interest and confidence in the sector.

• Combo Network launches $80 million Ecosystem Fund, supporting projects, teams, and initiatives for blockchain and DeFi advancement.

• Battle Infinity secures $3.5 million investment from VC firm, showcasing Web3 P2E platform's potential and generating income for the gaming industry.

Exploring the Metaverse 🛸

• Warner Music Group and The Sandbox collaborate on a music-themed metaverse through the Infinite Pulse Land Sale.

• Metaverse projects accounted for 44% of Web3 investments in H1 2023, with The Sandbox, Decentraland, and Axie Infinity being the top three.

• Swiss engineers are developing a VR suit called Meta Suit, allowing users to feel things in the metaverse through sensors and soft, human-like muscles, providing haptic feedback.

• Decentraland hosts the third Metaverse Pride event June 27-29, 2023, in Pride District, a dedicated area since 2021.

• CEEK Metaverse collaborates with CeeLo Green and Jack Splash on PINK, releasing first single and animated music video.

• 10SecLabs invests in Metagalaxy Land's blockchain-based metaverse, enhancing features like NFTs and terraforming.

• Lego and Epic Games partner to create a safe, engaging metaverse for children using Unreal Engine, showcasing mainstream metaverse investment.

• "Life Beyond," a spatial metaverse project, attracts seasoned video game veterans as it promises a unique gaming experience beyond traditional boundaries.

• Roblox, a popular metaverse platform for Gen Z, allows brands to connect with the community, enhance user experience, and promote democratization.

• UK's metaverse development companies are expanding, with government support and job creation expected to boost the economy.

• Yuga Labs' new metaverse game HV-MTL Forge allows players to build, flex, fight, and evolve their HV-MTL mech NFTs.

• WhatsApp integrates with Meta Quest headsets, enabling users to send, receive, call, and use WhatsApp's new Avatars feature in VR, transforming the metaverse experience.

• Meta's metaverse headset's success reflects real-world applications, while hype diminishes, emphasizing practical use cases and sustainable growth.

• Lamina1 advocates for an open metaverse, challenging big tech companies' dominance and promoting inclusivity and decentralization.

• GameStop and Illuvium partner to create metaverse opportunities in NFTs, showcasing a commitment to technology and digital trends.

• Tokens.com acquires Metaverse Group, strengthening its position in metaverse and blockchain gaming industry, expanding services and leveraging virtual worlds.

• Sandbox opposes SEC's classification of its SAND token as a security, arguing it's a metaverse utility and will collaborate with legal counsel.

• Apple's AR headset unveiling sparks speculation on Web3 metaverse impact, relying on unreleased features and functionality.

• Japan embraces the metaverse, to help reverse the rapid aging of the country and projected population slump looking with a view strengthen and shape its future economy.

• Puma unveils "Black Station," a metaverse experience bridging physical and digital worlds, integrating fashion, gaming, and virtual reality for brand engagement.

• Sony launches Web3 incubator program, supporting startups in blockchain, NFTs, metaverse, fostering innovation and driving tech renaissance in Japan.

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^{"Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you, it will”}
-Yoda

See you same place same time next week!

❤❤❤

Yoda Labs teamMonth