Weekly Digest

Innovation will propel Web3 gaming. Kapital DAO is bringing a browser-based platform for our gaming pleasure, whereas Zilliqa has stepped up its game with a Web3 console with a miner. What innovation would you like to see?

Also in our weekly digest:

• Elixir partners up with Square Enix to showcase Web3 games

• 10 years in the making Immutable welcomes Kaidro chronicles

• Brycent partners with Ledger and legitimizes Web3 gaming

• Governments want a piece of the action and are entering the Metaverse

• Gucci and BAYC partner up to bring bling into the Metaverse

And the introduction of a new section in our coverage: 

Free mints from Web3 Games hand-picked for you!

Yoda Labs exclusive research report featuring expert insights into the Immutable gaming ecosystem covering the explosive growth, best games, technology, financing, and much more 👽

Co-authored by BGA & DappRadar

Web3 Gaming News 🎮

• Elixir partners up with Square Enix, to offer traditional gaming fans access to Web3 games with a wider goal of pushing Web3 gaming adoption

• Mocaverse and Arc8 hosting a play-and-earn event for holders from April 20-27, offering G-Bot NFTs, MATIC tokens, and RTM points, aiming to promote their respective ecosystems and offerings

• iLogos Game Studios has teamed up with Immutable to create web3 games by combining their gaming and blockchain expertise

• Zilliqa launched a Web3 gaming console with a built-in miner and crypto wallet to capitalize on the growing Web3 gaming market whilst expanding the ZIL ecosystem at the same time

• The HUXLEY showed fans its immersive gaming world, a multiplayer game experience indicating a significant step towards the full game release.

• Kapital DAO launched Odyn, a browser-based gaming platform to make Web3 gaming easier for players

• Kaidro by Call of Duty, Apex Legends Veterans is a sci-universe Web3 Game on Immutable that’s been in development for over a decade and ready to launch later this year

• Digital Entertainment Asset launches "Lost Archive +" a Play-to-Earn game on PlayMining Platform with presales taking place in late April

• WAX Antelope upgrade hopes to boost Web3 gaming adoption by streamlining the development process and enhancing gaming experience

• Maxelium Games will release Viking Crypto Punks, a new Web3 game, in the second half of 2023; players can create over 60 million NFTs for unique gaming experiences.

• Waypoint Gaming has partnered with NFT Champions with a view to becoming the #1 Web3 gaming event

• Stella Fantasy, a high-quality Web3 ARPG, has officially launched and is now available for all adventurers to enjoy.

• InfiniGods has launched Immortal Siege, a tower defense game backed by social and mobile industry veterans and backed by Panthera Capital.

• Skill-based platform Burn Ghost Games announced its gaming platform is live & ready to play.

• Community Gaming confirms layoffs of 17 employees, the Web3 esports platform is citing economic struggles in the gaming industry.

• TQ Games the studio behind Shrapnel offered a free mint and is delighting customers by sending the AVAX token for gas fees

Web3 Gaming Trends 🚀

• Asia is predicted to make up 80% of all Web3 gamers, according to a recent study by DappRadar and Pacific Meta

• Non-genuine Web3 gamers can harm the game's stability and economy and reduce genuine gamers, according to a recent study by Footprint Analytics.

• Adapting to the changing landscape of Web3 gaming, from free-to-play to pay-to-win

The time has come to move away from Play-to-Earn

In 2021, the play-to-earn (P2E) GameFi sector experienced significant success, with Axie Infinity contributing $3.5bn in NFT sales and the total market value reaching $12bn. However, concerns have arisen about its long-term sustainability, as Axie Infinity's daily active user count dropped from 2.7m to 1.14m between November 2021 and April. Despite this, industry analysts believe that the top P2E games are evolving their structures and the entertainment value of these games is sufficient to retain players even in challenging market conditions.

The shift from the Play-to-Earn (P2E) to the Play-and-Earn (PAE) model is crucial for sustainable Web3 gaming. P2E's focus on earnings can lead to short-term thinking and unsustainable game economies, while PAE emphasizes enjoyable gameplay and long-term commitment.

Adopting PAE can foster industry growth, maintain financial rewards, and promote fun, accessibility, and community engagement.

This approach can help create a thriving, inclusive gaming ecosystem for both Web2 gamers and crypto enthusiasts, strengthening the industry's position in the global market.

• Blockchain RPGs use limited NFTs to create a sustainable and profitable business model for a new gaming experience.

• Alan Tan co-founder of Shanda Games introduced a new concept called player-centric gaming and Web3 game called MetaCene highlighting more cooperative models

• MetaPoint's $POT smart contract got hacked, losing 2,515 $BNB worth $1M, highlighting the need for Metaverse and crypto industry security.

• Upland attracted over 3M users and paid $1.8M to players who traded properties through their NFT-to-USD program, highlighting the growing trend of virtual economies within the Metaverse

• Brycent becomes the first Web3 gamer to officially partner with Ledger a bullish moment for both parties as renowned companies are beginning to take Web3 games seriously

Web3 Funding News 💸

• Karate Combat raises $18M led by Bitkraft Ventures but also has participation from Delphi Digital, The Operating Group, Alpha Wave Global, Hashkey and others

Exploring the Metaverse 🛸

• Next e.Go Mobile and Microsoft are collaborating to exhibit an electric vehicle production process in an industrial Metaverse Demo in Germany.

• SinVerse is holding a land sale on April 21st to allow players to purchase plots and build businesses.

• Pikamoon, a new P2E game, lets players battle and explore in the immersive Pikaverse self-funded by a team of experts who have learned from the past mistakes of other MMOs

• Lamina1 Is Building for the Open Metaverse aims for Web3 developers to focus on digital ownership and fair pay

• LaMelo Ball and The Sandbox join forces to create 'Meloverse' focusing on 21-year-old NBA star LaMelo Ball and seeking to engage LaMelo Ball fans and draw young people to Web3 and Metaverse

Celebrities and athletes still the best way to draw attention

This tried and tested approach still seems to work for a number of different reasons. Celebrities and athletes have big fan bases and impacts. Fans are more interested in projects they encourage. The fame and influence bring in media coverage.

In doing so, celebrities and athletes receive extensive media coverage, which can assist promote a project. This is a perfect recipe to increase a project's exposure on news, social media, and blogs. Both celebrities and sportsmen instantly raise awareness for a topic by creating viral moments and tapping into that fan base.

In addition, there is an emotional connection. Fans typically feel strongly about their favorite celebrities or athletes. Fans may be more loyal to a project sponsored by someone they like. In doing so a celebrity or athlete's endorsement can boost a project's credibility, especially if they're an expert or have relevant experience. The partnership can lend credibility to the idea.

Collaboration with a famous person can boost a project's brand. Many Web3 have used such techniques with a view to give a project prestige, exclusivity, and originality.

• Hugo Boss is launching baseball caps and hoodies with NFC tags, allowing customers to create NFT digital versions of the wearables and dress their Metaverse avatars.

• Mindverse launched a closed beta globally, an AI firm offering tools to create customizable AI virtual assistants with potential applications in the Web3 industry

• UK Government made a new department for exploring Metaverse and Web3 to boost the economy and will study new industry regulations

Increasing presence from various Governments in the metaverse

Governments are showing an interest in the metaverse and it’s easy to see why. Not only is it an emerging technology but it also has the potential to impact various aspects of society. As the metaverse allows users to interact with each other and digital content in real time, this creates a new form of social experience.

Governments are recognizing that it may have implications for areas such as education, entertainment, commerce, and even governance. For example, the metaverse could be used to provide new forms of online education, facilitate virtual conferences and events, or even offer new opportunities for remote work and collaboration.

Additionally, there are concerns about the potential for the metaverse to be used for illegal or harmful activities, such as cybercrime or exploitation. Governments may be interested in getting involved to help regulate and monitor the metaverse to ensure that it is a safe and ethical space for users.

We’ve seen the Dubai police department, South Korea, and now the UK setting up shop within the metaverse - we surely see this trend continuing.

• Azuki and Line Friends Creators collaborate to create new Web3 content, merchandise, and immersive Metaverse experiences

• BNB backed metaverse SecondLive allows users to create virtual avatars, engage in activities, and generate Web3 content to profit from their creations in the expanding Metaverse ecosystem

• Ariva teamed up with Rapper French Montana and USmVerse to make a VR platform for anyone with a VR headset to explore and build in a virtual world

Upcoming Free Gaming Mints ⚒️

In addition to our free mint news, this week we're excited to present a thread from one of the valuable researchers, who has compiled a list of promising upcoming games that warrant your attention.

Wilcard
Wildcard is giving away allowlist spots for their upcoming mint to celebrate the launch of WildPass on MagicEden this month.

Top Squad
Top Squad is a Web3 PvP football game on mobile. Play as a human from the future. Buy super robots of different models, activate them, make them evolve and increase their skills. Own stadiums and arenas, customize them and rent them. Win matches, move up the leagues and become a legend.

Last Remains
Stealth zombie survival battle in a dystopian world overrun by hordes of flesh-eating zombies and starving zombie bosses, you'll be tested on your courage and skills to do one thing: stay alive. Make one wrong move…and you’re done for.

Titans of War
Titans of War is a trading and collectible trading card game aspiring to be a titan among current giants such as Hearthstone, Magic the Gathering, and Legends of Runeterra and transcending them by evolving the TCG genre.

Eldarune
Eldarune is an ARPG medieval, fantasy, action, game with 4K graphics, clan and season system.

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“A challenge lifelong it is, not to bend fear into anger.”
-Yoda

See you same place same time next week!

❤❤❤

Yoda Labs team