Weekly Digest

August adventures have begun as Bandai Namco joins the likes of Ubisoft and Sega in Web3 gaming, YGG and Polygon announce a deeper relationship to affirm their affinity with each other, Illuvium shares its achievements and reveals its updated roadmap, while Yuga acquires a new commander to head up the Otherside game. With such weekly revelations, one can't help but wonder: What has the rest of Web3 gaming scene been upto?

Also in our weekly digest:

• Cyberkongs expands gaming ecosystem by expanding to Ronin

• Axie launches Season 5 and is looking to increase its holder base

• Solana prepares for its future and enters blockchain gaming

• Gaming on Bitcoin - yes its here and IS possible

• Japans 2023 mobile app trends revealed - Web3 gaming is in demand

• Why is the hybrid Off Chain/On Chain approach good for Web3 gaming - we break it down

Next in-depth ecosystem spotlight is dropping next week. Stay tuned!

Web3 Gaming News 🎮

• CyberKongz looking to accelerate the established gaming ecosystem by launching on Sky Mavis’s Ronin Blockchain with a view to expanding its holders base

• Ultra Arena, the user-friendly center of the Ultra ecosystem, helps players of all skill levels access competitions and brings together esports and gaming brands' fans and communities

• Yuga Labs acquires Roar Studios, specializing in AI technology, and appoints Eric Reid, founder and CEO to head up Yuga Labs’ upcoming Otherside game

• Yield Guild Games has announced a growing and deeper collaboration with Polygon Labs, with the goal of better supporting its partner games that are based on Polygon

• Bandai Namco steps into Web3 gaming joining the likes of other traditional gaming publishers such as Ubisoft and Sega, the AI virtual pet game is on the Oasys blockchain uses soulbound technology

• lluvium shares their updated their roadmap, and highlights timelines for when you get to enjoy their different games

• GameStop cancelled its NFT wallet project due to regulatory uncertainty and legal risks, thus putting dent into onboardng traditional users into Web3 gaming.

• EF Defense, the mobile tower defense strategy game on iOS and Android, already has Polygon based NFTs is to expand and relaunch on Immutable zkEVM the Ethereum scaling network

• Aurory the Solana multi-game universe adopts Eth scaling technology Arbitrum which adds functionality through its own SyncSpace platform a hybrid on-chain/off-chain inventory management system

Why an On-Chain/Off-Chain Inventory Is Good for Gaming

The integration of blockchain technology within the gaming industry has introduced a new paradigm, and at the heart of this transformation is the utilization of a hybrid on-chain/off-chain system. This approach combines the advantages of both traditional and blockchain platforms, striking a balance between performance efficiency and innovative application. The issue of scalability is addressed effectively through this system. By conducting routine in-game operations off-chain while reserving on-chain transactions for significant events or asset transfers, games can achieve real-time responsiveness without incurring excessive fees or facing network congestion.

The hybrid model offers enhanced data protection and security. It ensures player confidentiality, enabling users to maintain their strategic gameplay and progression details discreetly. For developers, the system presents a flexible framework, permitting them to decide the elements that will benefit from decentralization while retaining others within conventional platforms. Such discretion affords a tailored gaming environment designed to cater to specific requirements.

The fusion of on-chain's inherent transparency and security with the robustness and agility of off-chain systems represents a significant advancement in the gaming industry. This hybrid model facilitates smoother adoption by developers and ensures a streamlined and secure experience for players. The best of both worlds.

• Axie Infinity launches Season 5: Rare Era, featuring new "Origin Axies" and a new "KOTH" battle format. The game introduces governance token AXS, expecting to attract more players

• Com2us launches RPG game ‘Heir of Light: Eclipse’ in Canada and Indonesia, the new strategy RPG game that emphasizes character collection and development, will roll out world wide next month

• GAMMA 4 Private Beta by Bluzelle is unveiled after 18 months of development a Sci-Fi RPG in the Cosmos ecosystem, featuring a galaxy with powerful races, dynamic NFTs, and intense battles

• Infinimerge, a Web3 puzzler set in the Infinigods universe project, has a mass of updates includidng improved graphics, visuals, in-game content, and character customization options

• Mobox unviels DragonVerse, the highly anticipated project, contains a 3D virtual universe, brimming with distinctive quests and chances for players to engage with their in-game assets

• Moneyball Meets Crypto Boys of Summer, an experimental Baseball NFT game that explores the life of an athlete that isn't limited to the numbers they rack up on the field

Web3 Gaming Trends 🚀

• Japan's 2023 mobile app trends reveal growing demand for blockchain, NFTs, and decentralized finance features, indicating a promising future for Web3 gaming in the country

• Solana to take the crypto gaming charge as the Solana Foundation shared its strategy for changing the rough narrative around blockchain gaming

Solana Games: A New Era in Blockchain Gaming?

Solana's high-performance infrastructure, capable of processing vast transactions with minimal fees, makes it a prime choice for gaming. Its robust security features, anchored by a proof-of-history consensus mechanism, ensure the safety of players' assets. With inherent scalability and a developer-centric approach, Solana is not just addressing present gaming needs but is also looking to gear up for the future.

In a strategic alliance, the Solana Foundation and a consortium of game developers have launched Solana Games. This initiative aims to curate a dynamic ecosystem of top-tier blockchain games within the Solana network. They provide developers with comprehensive resources, including financial support, technical guidance, and marketing expertise. Additionally, through events like PlayGG, they foster a deep connection between game creators and the Solana community.

Solana Games is driven by the vision of mainstreaming blockchain gaming. Their offerings are designed to be user-friendly and economically accessible, and they champion cross-platform gameplay. Recognizing the transformative potential of blockchain gaming, the Solana Foundation has earmarked an impressive $100 million for its growth and development over the upcoming years.

• New Bitcoin City, offers casual games, board games, and strategy games on web and mobile that run on Bitcoin, the platform also offers NFT auctions and a marketplace, all native to the Bitcoin network

Web3 Funding News 💸

• InWorld AI raises $50 million in funding rounds, focusing on AI game characters, expanding offerings, and exploring new applications

• Animoca Brands invests $30 million in Web3 super app Hi, focusing on unified interfaces and decentralized services for easy, accessible blockchain adoption

Exploring the Metaverse 🛸

• Meta announces in-house game studio to revitalize Horizon Worlds metaverse, focusing on engaging content and gaming's potential to boost participation and success

• 0N1 Force community to receive special privileges within the Upland Metaverse, the reality spanning Metaverse featuring virtual destinations that mirrors the real world unlocking new perks with their NFTs

• A metaverse project combines Bruce Lee's legacy and metaverse experiences, offering users an authentic, interactive avatar to learn martial arts techniques and philosophy

• Metaverse 2.0 combines virtual and real worlds, blurring lines with immersive technologies like AR and VR, expanding digital interactions

• The global metaverse industry is expected to reach USD 1.237 billion by 2030, with key players like Nextech, Nvidia, and Tencent driving growth

Alpha Test, Early Access & Hands-On Gaming ⚒️

H2O Game Launch (August 2)

MixMob Neo-Mania Tournament (August 3)

Metastrike Battle Pass NFT Sale (August 3-15)

New Ganymede Season 0 Danger Box NFT Sale (August 3, 2023 9:00 PM)

Upcoming Free Gaming Mints ⚒️

GOA 
GOA:Battle in ancient Rome with the strategic NFT game featuring unique gladiators -embrace your inner warrior and rise

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-Yoda

See you same place same time next week!

❤❤❤

Yoda Labs team