Weekly Digest

As we accelerate toward the end of August, Amazon ambitiously arranges an astounding gaming hackathon with Oasys, whilst Gala Launcher catapults to superstardom across Mobile and PC! Web3 is actively attracting Web2 aficionados with the advancement of Social Sign-On. Additionally, browser-based gaming is revolutionizing player accessibility: gamers can jump straight into Star Atlas and action-packed Fight Me on Polygon will follow suit. With all these advancements at our fingertips, where do you see the future of gaming headed?

Also in our weekly digest:

• Capcom’s Mega Man X characters are embodied as NFT

• Catch Web3 gaming Visionaries at the Saga Multiverse Summit

• Autonomous worlds are here via smart contracts-Playmint leads the way

• Blockchain is important as we enter the fourth generation of mobile RPGs

• Web 3 assets are banned on Steam but developers are finding ways

• Playventures raises $78M for its third gaming VC fund

Yoda’s next instituional level in-depth research is here. The most comprehensive look at the Gala Games ecosystem and it’s future!

Web3 Gaming News 🎮

• Oasys and Amazon are hosting a Web3 Gaming Hackathon, inviting developers worldwide to showcase their skills in creating innovative game projects

• Mighty Action Heroes battle royale by Mighty Bear Games announces social login which is often regarded as a stumbling block for Web3 games for onboarding Web2 gamers

• Capcom’s Mega Man X Dive is to embrace NFTs for its characters but the company insists they won’t be integrated into the game just yet

• Saga Multiverse Summit focuses on Web3 gaming and entertainment creators who are building the Multiverse is a 2 day event taking place on 23rd-24 Aug, Yoda Labs will bring the major headlines next week but in the meantime, you can check out the streams

• Rumble Kong League calls time on a development partner, as missed deadlines, dev milestones, shortfall in talent force the decision however Brazilian-based game studio Hermit Crab is now on board

• Artist Sam Spratt creates interactive NFT game inspired by his journey of self-discovery, a powerful and moving experience that offers players a unique opportunity for self-reflection

• Downstream by Playmint is designed to be an autonomous world, meaning that players will be able to create and modify the game world through the use of smart contracts

Downstream: Revolutionizing the MMO Gaming Landscape with Blockchain

Developed by Playmint, Downstream is an MMO game built on blockchain. It grants players an autonomous realm where they can craft experiences using smart contracts. This allows for the creation and customization of in-game environments and personal content, such as quests and enemies. Players can also build their own businesses and communities.

The game's focus on player freedom and creativity is a refreshing change from the traditional model of games where players are limited by the constraints of the game world. The use of smart contracts to create an autonomous world is a promising technology that has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry. Couple this with blockchain's strengths, Downstream boasts unparalleled transparency, scalability, and immutability. Players have the assurance that game rules, encoded, will remain unchanged.

Downstream's unique features not only set it apart from traditional games but also position it as a transformative force in the gaming sector. By offering players genuine asset ownership and the tools to craft personal experiences, it foregrounds player agency over developer control. This decentralization could spark a shift toward more player-centric games, offering new avenues for in-game entrepreneurial ventures and potentially reshaping economic interactions in the virtual world. As development continues, all eyes could be on Downstream, and how its players will harness its gaming world.

• Open Campus, TinyTap, and Code Green team up to teach kids about climate change through blockchain gaming via Healverse

• BinaryX, a leading GameFi and IGO platform, has announced its first-ever hackathon event, BinaryX Online Hackathon 2023

• Star Atlas takes Web3 gaming to the stars with SAGE Labs, the Web3 space economy simulation game is now playable via the browser unlocking the open-world

• Nekki, a leading game publisher, announces its first Web3 game, 'Fight Me', targeting a 2024 launch, the Polygon-based browser game will be a Play-to-Own and Compete-to-Earn fighting game

• Rogue Nation, a free mobile game, has been updated with a new character, environment, enemies, and weapons. The game is now available for Android and iOS devices

• Champions Arena, for mobile and PC is a role-playing game, featuring turn-based combat, strategy, and PvP battles has been launched on the Gala Games platform via the Gala Launcher 

• Wreck League, the fighting game from nWay allows players to mint unique body parts and build the ultimate fighter moving away from the tradition where players select a fighter

• CD Projekt Red has revealed a major overhaul and new features for Cyberpunk 2077 and its expansion, Phantom Liberty the free update will introduce a new Dogtown district and five major upgrades

• "Synergy Land," a Polygon blockchain-based RPG, resembles "Animal Crossing" in aesthetics and gameplay. It allows players to interact in a virtual world, buy land, and create customized spaces

• Citizen Conflict 3.0 introduces alpha phase 3, featuring a new map, tournaments, and loot boxes players can earn Alpha Boxes by completing daily quests or receiving them as random surprises

• MetaStones, a unique DAO and NFT collection, is set to host a virtual Pro eSports tournament called the PG (AI) Pro Tour

• Jump.trade, GuardianLink's flagship NFT gaming platform, has partnered with NEAR Protocol to launch one million NFTs for the RADDX Racing Metaverse, a racing game

• Gala Games is introducing NFT mystery boxes to improve gaming experiences by combining traditional randomness with transparency

• Snook is a fun and sophisticated game that combines the classic Nokia snake game with modern gaming dynamics, located on the Polygon blockchain

• Pome Rumble, RPG puzzler offers players a transcendent adventure on an alien planet players join Pome and his companions as they rescue the displaced Ketsians and forge interstellar bonds

• DExCAT, a decentralized gaming platform, governed by its community of players, has launched its website and whitepaper, including a special Cat Eggs Free Minting Event

• Baby Doge Coin is launching BabyDogeChess, a skill-based chess game on the BNB Chain. The game allows players to use BABYDOGE tokens in battles, potentially leading to token burns

Web3 Gaming Trends 🚀

• The fourth generation of mobile RPGs is emerging, with 3D interactive battles, RPG world as an interface, and PvE monetization, blockchain can enhance this trend by enabling player-owned assets, transparency, and cross-platform play

The mobile gaming industry is continuously evolving, with RPGs consistently at the forefront. Historically, three distinct eras of mobile RPGs have emerged, each distinguished by unique attributes. As we stand on the cusp of the fourth generation, the defining characteristics are becoming clear: 3D interactive battles where every move counts, the game world itself acting as the primary interface, and a pivotal shift in monetization from player-versus-player to player-versus-environment.

At the forefront of this transformation is Azra Games, an innovative mobile game studio. Their upcoming title, Project Legends, embodies these new-age features, promising an immersive experience. Azra Game CEO Mark Otero recognizes the power that blockchain will play and confirms blockchain technology can improve fourth-generation RPGs (like it did previous generations) by allowing player-owned assets to be used carefully and meaningfully in specific areas.

With these advancements, Azra Games, along with many industry insiders, anticipate that the fourth generation will usher in a renaissance for mobile RPGs, positioning it as the most impactful era yet.

• Dimensional's CEO explores the integration of crypto and video gaming, predicting that this could lead to new opportunities in in-game economies

• Blockchain-based games with cryptocurrency or NFT elements are banned on Steam, despite the ban, developers are finding ways to launch these games on the platform

Web3 Funding News 💸

• Play Ventures has raised $78 million for its third gaming venture capital fund. The Singapore-based company has invested in over 100 gaming studios and early-stage companies

• Monsterra NFT Game celebrates 1st anniversary, showcasing significant growth and exciting future plans, raising $2.5M from investors, a thriving community, and 100M matches completed

Exploring the Metaverse 🛸

• The Sandbox will introduce the Agorians the first Web3 avatar collection with automatic appearance transformation, it will change every six hours to match the real-time of day.

• Chiliz Labs has partnered with Crypto Blockchain Industries to integrate the Chiliz Chain into Football at AlphaVerse, a 3D virtual world dedicated to football

• BattleDome is integrating with Alien Worlds, players can now use their Trilium NFTs within the BattleDome ecosystem

• Floki, inspired by its Viking roots, has announced the launch of Valhalla, a next-generation metaverse experience tailored for Viking enthusiasts

• China plans to introduce a social credit system in the metaverse, extending its real-world system to encourage good behavior and discourage harmful actions

• UK provides guidance on NFT trademarks in the metaverse, addressing intellectual property rights and potential infringements

Alpha Test, Early Access & Hands-On Gaming ⚒️

Saga’s Multiverse Summit during Gamescom, 23rd-24th August

NFL Rivals new season Kickoff starts 24th August

Mocaverse’s Mocana Odyssey Cosmic Hunt event, 24th August

MetalCore‘s final alpha 3 playtest, 24th August

Wreck League box rarity reveal, 24th August

Cross The Ages fourth presale wave, 25th August

Hunters On-Chain chest mint on Magic Eden, 28th August

Legendary: Heroes Unchained launches public alpha with a playtest, 28th August-5th September

Metahorse Unity public mint on OnePlanet, 1st September

Wreck League box open and game launch, 14th September

Fableborne Esperkin PFPs mint on Magic Eden, 12th September

Upcoming Free Gaming Mints ⚒️

PearlGamesNFT August 30th

Cursed Stone August 22nd - 5th September

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

^{"Pass on what you have learned”}
-Yoda

See you same place same time next week!

❤❤❤

Yoda Labs team