Weekly Digest

As the fast-paced month of June unfolds, a powerful collaboration between Nike and Fortnite takes shape as they embrace the world of NFTs through .SWOOSH. With Immutable's Cross The Ages making its way into Epic Games and a new game called Only Up being mass streamed on Twitch with Goblin Town NFT elements, one cannot help but wonder: Are we witnessing the true initiation of mass adoption?

Also in our weekly digest:

• Bored Ape creators revealed their new game

• Arbitrum launches a Layer 3 network specifically to power Web3 games

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

• Are subliminal messages the way to drive hype for Web3 gaming?

• Animoca Brands highlights AI and blockchain as the future trend

• Animoca Brands secures a fresh investment from a Japanese powerhouse

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

The most in-depth research on the future of E-sports, Web3 gaming and crypto by Yoda Labs

Stay tuned for a new Ecosystem Spotlight very soon!

Co-authored by BGA & DappRadar & Sura Gaming

Web3 Gaming News 🎮

• 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.

• Moxy.io a top-tier esports platform, and Stainless Games collaborate to bring Shock Rods to the Web3 ecosystem, integrating GameFi mechanics for real rewards in supported cryptocurrencies.

• 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? 

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

• 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.

• Gamee unveils Arc8 upgrade, enhancing features and introducing five noteworthy additions, enriching gameplay and fostering a more competitive environment.

• Cross The Ages debuts as a challenging yet rewarding fantasy card battler game. With a unique mix of strategy and role-playing elements, it presents a fresh approach to card games.

• MetaRides Racing has announced a partnership with Unstoppable Domains, the Web3 domain name provider to combine blockchain gaming with domain naming systems.

• 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.

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

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

• Dogerift launches Android beta game client, marking first cross-platform expansion, aiming to make gaming accessible to a wider audience and increase user base.

• Life Beyond' game has launched Solo Combat Trials, a feature that allows players to earn rewards through individual combat activities.

• Twitch introduces 'Only Up: Goblintown' with integrated NFTs, 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.

• 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.

• Knights Of The Ether is an epic battle game where players face constant challenges and death where players can earn a free Villager character on the Arbitrum network to stop Distor's Blight.

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

• 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.

• Combo Network the first game focused optimistic roll-up on BNB launches ComboVerse, a Web3 game scaling solution, revealing the first batch of ecosystem partners.

• Yu-Gi-Oh! the strategy card game and anime series integrate with Web3 platform Rewarded.tv, to gamify the streaming experience by rewarding viewers with badges and digital collectibles.

• PlayMining to launch Soul Fusers in 2023, featuring four project collaborations for interactive gameplay.

• Synergy Land, a Web3 gaming project combining virtual reality and blockchain, opens public playtest phase, allowing users to explore gameplay mechanics and contribute to development.

• Nakamoto Games reaches an impressive portfolio of over 200 games spanning multiple genres, from AAA to hyper-casual games.

Web3 Gaming Trends 🚀

• 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 💸

• 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.

Exploring the Metaverse 🛸

• Improbable unveils Bored Ape Yacht Club's metaverse technology, mSquared, highlighting transparency and potential future collaborations in building out the metaverse.

• NFTGators partners with artist Beeple to create world's first Master of Science program on NFTs in the metaverse.

• BreederDAO shifts focus towards AI-generated NFTs for metaverse, demonstrating its adaptation to evolving blockchain trends.

• FIFA files metaverse-related trademarks, indicating interest in digital realm and potential virtual environment foray.

• Pop Artist The Weeknd launches metaverse game alongside Binance tour, showcasing entertainment - Blockchain convergence and digital engagement.

• Alpha City AI stands at the forefront of the digital landscape, by using the capabilities of AI and blockchain to transform the way we engage with entertainment, media, and retail within the metaverse.

• The Sandbox collaborates with Nuclear Blast to launch a metaverse music venture, signifying the expansion of digital spaces into the realm of music.

• Slim Jim launches "Gigajims" NFTs in the metaverse, giving away 2,000 free to participants in a partnership with OpenSea.

• Edeniom, a metaverse platform, facilitates digital property rights through NFT creation, selling, and management.

Upcoming Free Gaming Mints ⚒️

Chiverse
P2E Football Game on Cronos Chain. The team is creating other NFT projects in their Web3 game-check out Marbleverse art which will play against other NFTs! Free mints, $CRO and WL among interactions!

Pirates of the Arrland
Building the most unique gaming ecosystem in the Web3 space with MOBA, Strategy and Private Islands in one game connected with AI portal to the pirates world!

Katana INU
$Kata - A Battle Royale - NFT PC Game with NFT Skins

Legend of Arcadia
Legend of Arcadia is a multi-chain free-to-play and play-to-earn casual strategy card game that combines traditional gaming experience with Web3 GameFi 2.0.

Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements!

^{"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 team