Weekly Digest

July 13-July 19

Author

Yoda Labs
July 20, 2023

Join the thrilling journey through July's gaming realm as Ubisoft continues its interest in blockchain, this time getting involved as an infrastructure player, Pet owners get precious as Neopets cancels its metaverse, Sui sees a surge as its puzzler sets a daily transaction record, whilst Animoca Brands and Cool Cats collaborate with 3 cat games on the horizon and investors are back in a funding mood as we see some big raises - is the gaming bull run just around the corner?

Also in our weekly digest:

  • Google is helping push Web3 gaming allowing NFT games

  • Catch sight of the state of Web3 game development tools

  • Super balance testers help raise the quality of Web3 games

  • Sandbox enables creators to publish games

  • 80% of 224 projects in Saga Innovator program are gaming based

  • Does changing direction upset communities?

In addition, Yoda Labs bring a new section this week where you can get updates on the ongoing Alpha tests, early accesses for top Web3 games

Yoda Labs proudly invites you to our recently launched community for builders, gamers, VCs, streamers, ecosystem folks and more!

Web3 Gaming News 🎮

  • Google Play Store permits NFT games with local regulations, secure transactions, and in-app billing, acknowledging blockchain's growing importance in gaming

  • Animoca Brands and Cool Cats collaborate to create three new games featuring Cool Cats characters, aiming to engage NFT collectors and capture attention in the gaming community

  • Sui Network sees a surge in daily transactions due to popular Sui 8192 puzzle game and Bullshark Quests initiative

  • Polychain Monsters introduces Neosphere Pioneers Saga Booster Pack Series, offering unique, randomly distributed in-game assets to enhance gameplay and unlock new possibilities

  • Axie Infinity introduces player profile module, improving user experience and providing personalized space for game stats, achievements, and Axies

  • Dread Arena hosts its esports tournament Dreadcon, players had to achieve at least Hero rank in the game's ranked mode, 2000 of which qualified and are now in the pot to compete for huge prizes

  • Neopets cancels its NFT game, under new ownership TNT will transition away from Metaverse and re-align its vision

Does Changing Direction Upset Communities?

Neopets, the beloved virtual pet website, recently announced plans to launch a play-to-earn NFT game called Neopets Metaverse. However, the company has now canceled the development of the Metaverse game and is facing significant backlash from its community. As tough as the decision was to make, this reversal may prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Neopets brand.

Many longtime Neopets users were originally upset about the proposed NFT game, feeling it went against the spirit of Neopets as a non-commercial, child-friendly site. There were concerns that play-to-earn mechanics would ruin the communal spirit. This strong negative response from its loyal fanbase caused Neopets to re-evaluate its blockchain plans.

While scrapping the NFT game is disappointing in the short term, it avoids permanently damaging Neopets' brand reputation and community trust. Staying true to its roots may strengthen user loyalty over time. Looking ahead, Neopets can take time to find blockchain integrations that align with its values, if it still wishes to pursue that route. More importantly, this presents an opportunity to refocus energy on improving the core Neopets experience. By listening to user perspectives, Neopets shows it cares about its community. While difficult, being adaptable and willing to change course demonstrates wisdom for brands faced with backlash. Maintaining user trust should drive decisions.

Having said that, this reversal shows the challenges companies face when trying to integrate NFTs and blockchain into existing brands, especially those with strong existing communities.

State of Web3 Game Dev Tooling a Birds Eye View

According to the Bitkraft report, Web3 game development is still in its early days compared to traditional game engines. There is a lack of robust end-to-end solutions, with tooling that is fragmented and immature. Developers are having to piece together various platforms and tools to build out blockchain games. The report stresses that fragmentation creates challenges, especially for those new to blockchain development. Core functionality like multiplayer networking and hosting have not yet matured in Web3 tools. Together with documentation and learning resources remaining limited, this is contributing to the steep learning curve.

While rapid progress is being made, gaps exist compared to traditional game engines. NFT integration and blockchain interactions are still developing. Monetization systems like play-to-earn lack out-of-the-box support. Developers are tasked to build out these systems themselves. This highlights the need for collaboration and consolidation across Web3 game tools.

The report is cautiously optimistic about the potential for Web3 game tooling to mature. But highlights it will take time before solutions match the depth of traditional game engines. As tools improve and become more integrated, Web3 game adoption can accelerate. However, the space still faces limitations for end-to-end development. Overall the report highlights current challenges while recognizing the potential ahead as the industry evolves.

Web3 Gaming Trends 🚀

  • Gods Unchained team adds “superpower balance testers” to improve gameplay and fair competition in a superior way ensuring balanced strategies which could pave the way for others too

Web3 Games Does Engagement and Development Differently

The blockchain-based trading card game Gods Unchained has introduced a new "Superpower Balance Testers" program to improve game balance. And will potentially set a trend in how to garner feedback from those who value it the most. Twelve experienced players, including top ranked competitors and community members, were selected to provide feedback on potential balance changes. These players are given early access to test card adjustments on a special server before changes go live.

The aim of the program is to get input from knowledgeable players on balance updates that address overpowered or underpowered cards in the current meta. The developers want to ensure changes being made are relevant and properly calibrated before fully releasing them. Feedback from testers will allow the Gods Unchained team to iterate as needed to get the balance changes right.

By leveraging this select group of competitive players, Gods Unchained hopes to release better tuned card balance adjustments that improve overall game balance. Early tester feedback will be instrumental in honing updates before they are patched to the live server. This initiative highlights Gods Unchained's emphasis on regular balance updates informed by insights from its top players - a trend that we see continuing by other game developers and studios.

Web3 Funding News 💸

Exploring the Metaverse 🛸

  • EU unveils strategy for Web3, metaverse, AI, and crypto, promoting regulatory framework, innovation, consumer protection, research, development, and digital literacy

  • Galaxy Fight Club, a metaverse platform featuring NFT characters in epic battles, allowing players to compete in a fighting game style is set to become the first cross-IP game

  • Dypius partners with Conflux Network to create unique World of Dypians metaverse experiences, including an NFT Marketplace and Conflux Headquarters for workshops and P2E games

  • Decentraland hosts Metaverse Art Week 2023, celebrating art in the metaverse and fostering creativity

  • Olyverse and Thyssen Museum collaborate to create a digital version of Vincent van Gogh's masterpieces in the metaverse, blending traditional art and digital realms

  • Turkish drama "Magnificent Century" integrates into The Sandbox metaverse, offering reenacting scenes, exploring period-accurate environments, and purchasing exclusive NFTs

  • Nemesis and The Sandbox are top virtual worlds, highlighting the growing importance of metaverse environments in the digital economy

  • ZTX plans to launch 3D virtual world on Arbitrum blockchain, focusing on efficient, seamless experience and metaverse integration

  • Decentraland's pre-built scenes enable users to create and customize a virtual world in the metaverse, allowing them to personalize and contribute to the community

Alpha Test, Early Access & Hands-On Gaming ⚒️

Upcoming Free Gaming Mints ⚒️

BYTE CITY
BL50 Tribute Free Mint Collection Immortalizing Bruce Lee on BNB Chain

Aradena Battlegrounds
Building the next generation of trading card gaming, immersive PvP Battles with a 3D Hex Battlefield & more

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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 team