This Week in Web3:

LATEST HAPPENINGS IN WEB3

• Ronin, a well-known gaming blockchain, has announced it will be releasing a new game within its ecosystem. Kaidro is an Anime RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world where players engage in battles against enemies using mechs and magic. The game is expected to feature a PvP gaming experience, a story-driven approach, and multiplayer elements.

• Army of Fortune, a mobile game studio founded by ex-Supercell veterans, has unveiled a trailer for its AOFverse. The cinematic trailer provides a glimpse into the world of AOF, showcasing various characters and settings. Additionally, the trailer highlights the availability of Army of Tactics, the studio's strategy game. This release coincides with the launch of AOF DemiGods, an NFT collection, introducing players and collectors to the unique assets within the AOFverse.

• BoomLand, the studio behind Hunters On-Chain, a top-down action game, has announced its move to Immutable. This strategic decision is part of the studio's plan leverage Immutable's technology for enhanced blockchain interactions, and further enhance the gameplay experience for its users.

• MetaMask has improved user security by implementing security alerts across multiple blockchain networks. This new functionality, developed in collaboration with Blockaid, is designed to shield users from harmful transactions on networks like Ethereum, Linea, BNB Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Avalanche. First introduced in October, this update is a significant move towards securing the cryptocurrency environment.

• Pixel, the social farming game, launched its token on February 19. The token was airdropped to many users and quickly gained value, with its primary exchange being on Binance. It was specifically airdropped to individuals who staked $RON.

• $FILM, a novel utility and reward token, will soon be launched on GalaChain to facilitate the Gala Film platform's operations, including backing film projects, engaging in governance, and crafting film pitches. As the cornerstone of this film-focused platform, $FILM will serve as the principal transaction currency within the Gala Film ecosystem upon its future activation on GalaChain. Token holders will have the opportunity to support film endeavors, earning rewards like exclusive content, early access, and possibly additional perks.

GAME UPDATES

• Faraland, a game combining adventure and strategy elements, has introduced its latest version 0.3.7. This version promises a more exciting and improved gameplay experience for its fans. A key feature of this update is the launch of seven new skill trees, including Human Sub Masters, Orc Bulwark, Elf Green Maze, Fairy Engraved, Dragonborn Onslaught, Angel Divine Judgment, and Demon Dark Conjures. These skill trees offer a range of passive to active skills.

• Aphelium's update to version 0.19.0 introduces a new crafting system, enhancing strategic elements by requiring time for item creation, rather than allowing for immediate production. This change means the crafting speed varies based on the rarity of the item and land, as well as the player's level. The updated system aims to offer a more rewarding experience by shifting towards a strategy-based crafting process. Now, players must wait for a set duration before their gear is crafted, adding value and strategic depth to each item.

• The 2024 roadmap update for My Neighbor Alice emphasizes the development of a decentralized, player-centric universe, outlining key goals like a decentralized NFT bridge, the initial release of a UGC tool, and the launch of Beta Season 1. This season introduces features such as in-game trading and new social mechanisms.

• Sipher Odyssey, a fast-paced action roguelite multiplayer looter shooter RPG, is currently available for pre-registration on both Google PlayStore and the App Store. Players who pre-register can participate in events and campaigns for the Closed Early Access, providing them with an early glimpse into the game and potentially offering exclusive rewards or benefits.

• March will see Axie Classic rolling out guilds, enabling players to unite, pool resources, and vie for supremacy. Players can form their guilds for an 8 AXS fee, with a one-guild creation limit per account. The introduction includes Guild XP and a ranking system. Participation in the Grand Tournament and the Cursed Coliseum will boost Guild XP, essential for increasing guild size.

• NFT Battle Miners, a 3D metaverse and PVP game on the WAX blockchain, recently launched the eagerly awaited Alchemy update. The team has responded to frequently asked questions about the update. To engage in Alchemy, players must use their units on Aperta or their own lands. Over 250 materials have been made accessible for players, allowing them to create Isotonics from these resources.

NEW LAUNCHES

• Axie Champions, created by Bali Games known for the Korean success Anipang, is now available for Android users. It allows players to link their Ronin Wallets and integrate their Axies into the gameplay, adding a unique element to the traditional game style.

• Hytopia is set to re-launch, introducing its 'Hychain' and ecosystem to the web3 gaming world. Moreover, the Hytopia Node Sale starts on March 2nd at 2pm PST, with the initial day exclusive to holders with 'whitelist points.' The sale becomes public on March 3rd at 2pm PST. Whitelist points are awarded to wallets holding Hytopia Worlds and Avatars, or Gray Boy NFTs, and can also be earned by engaging with Hyroller, a social interaction 'game' on Zealy.

• UNKJD Soccer has officially launched in Brazil as its first market, introducing gameplay changes, new features, as well as an $MBS Airdrop Challenge that players can complete before February 27th, 10 AM UTC. According to the announcement, the mobile title has undergone a transformation during development that players can now experience for themselves with this launch. Next to gameplay changes, the team has also decided to start an $MBS Airdrop Challenge in celebration of the game’s official release into its first market.

• Mumbai has made a significant move by introducing the Mumbai Metropolis Metaverse. This initiative enables both local and international users to virtually explore the city's key infrastructure developments via an immersive VR platform. Launched on February 19, this 3D environment is now available to everyone, offering a virtual journey through Mumbai's extensive urban landscape and showcasing its ongoing evolution.

ALPHA, BETA, AND PLAYTESTS

• Nemesis Downfall, a play-and-earn blockchain FPS, is launching its open beta on February 28th at 9 AM UTC through PancakeSwap Gaming Marketplace. The game offers both free-to-play options and paid leaderboard tournaments with the chance for bigger rewards. Running on the BNB Chain, it features the ND reward token, which players can use to purchase character and weapon skins, available as both in-game assets and NFTs.

• Studio 369 has unveiled the launch details for the eagerly awaited closed beta of MetalCore, named Call to Arms. MetalCore promises a rich blend of open-world exploration, PvE missions, and PvP combat. The Call to Arms closed beta, an invite-only event, offers early access players a taste of the latest game version. Kicking off at 3 pm PST on February 26th, the beta provides a 24-hour period for participants to explore the game's vast open world, engage in new in-game quests, and earn new rewards. Owners of the MetalCore Genesis Infantry NFT, from a 10,000-piece collection featuring diverse traits and rarity, will enjoy special gameplay privileges and benefits during the beta. Additionally, holding a Genesis Infantry NFT before February 29th grants eligibility for future closed playtests.

• Cosmik Battle, a Spaceship TCG, has announced its Early Access release. Players interested in the game can now access it for free by downloading it from the Epic Games Store. In Cosmik Battle, players can customize their ships, build decks, and engage in 1v1 card-based space battles.

• Influence introduces a new pre-release phase, offering players the opportunity to earn SWAY tokens through gameplay and mission completion in this asteroid-based MMO with realistic orbital dynamics. The upcoming phase allows players to explore, construct, and settle in the Adalia system. This pre-release testing phase is currently active, providing numerous chances to acquire SWAY tokens, the official currency of Influence.

• Decimated, a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk survival game, is making strides to increase its visibility and engagement by launching its Closed Alpha. The Closed Alpha provides select players and community members with restricted access to the game, allowing them to experience and test its features. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to have their names included in the gathering of metadata for the Decimated NFT, adding a unique aspect to the gaming experience.

FUNDINGS AND PARTNERSHIPS

• PlaytoEarn.net has partnered with Seedify, a prominent blockchain innovation hub, to usher in a new era of crypto gaming through Seedify's vast ecosystem. This collaboration stands as a pivotal move for the PlaytoEarn.net community, offering unparalleled access to blockchain games developed with Seedify's support. It creates fresh opportunities for users to interact with and gain from these ventures, including the option to stake SFUND tokens for rewards from these funded projects.

• Crystal Fun, a Decentralized Gaming Mega-ecosystem & Studio, has successfully secured $5 million in its seed funding round. The investment comes from notable backers such as KuCoinVentures, Actoz Soft, waterdripfund, MasverseHub, Stratified Cap, and others. This funding is expected to support the development of a decentralized web3 gaming ecosystem, providing developers with the resources to create top-tier games on the platform.

• Oasys, a Japanese blockchain company focusing on game developers, has joined forces with Metabora SG, a Web3 infrastructure associated with the Internet giant Kakao. This collaboration aims to achieve two key objectives: introducing Japanese players to Web3 gaming and providing a diverse selection of Web3 games on the Oasys platform for users engaged in the Web3 space.

• Monkey-Tilt, the web3 gambling platform, has successfully raised $21 million in its recent fundraising round. The investment saw participation from prominent backers including Polychain Capital, Hack VC, Poker Go, Accomplice, Paper Ventures, and Folius Ventures. With this substantial funding, Monkey-Tilt is gearing up for the launch of its Beta version after a period of anticipation.

• Helika has completed its Series A funding, securing $8 million. As a leading provider of data analytics and infrastructure for traditional and web3 gaming, Helika's fundraising was spearheaded by Pantera Capital, a distinguished blockchain venture fund. Additional investors in the round include Sparkle Ventures, Diagram Ventures, and Sfermion.

• Chiliz, a blockchain platform for sports, entered into a partnership with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a prominent French football club, on February 22. As part of this collaboration, PSG will become the principal validator of Sports Club in the Web3 ecosystem created by Chiliz. This partnership aims to enhance the sports club's engagement with the Web3 space and provide an enriched entertainment experience for fans.

• Team Liquid, a prominent esports team, has revealed a collaboration with Mysten Labs, the creator of the Sui Network. This partnership aims to provide players and users with crypto rewards for engaging in Web3 games integrated into the Sui Network. Both entities plan to collaborate on marketing efforts and create promotional videos to raise awareness for Web3 and their respective projects.

• TapNation is advancing into the future through a partnership with Immutable zkEVM, supported by Polygon. This collaboration marks a significant move for TapNation, recognized as the 11th top global publisher in 2023. With over 100 games launched since 2019, TapNation has achieved more than 1 billion downloads and maintains 60 million monthly active users. The company is venturing into blockchain gaming by releasing two games on Immutable, "Giant Rush '' and "Parking Jam," which aim to combine traditional gaming enjoyment with innovative blockchain technology features.