Blockchain Gaming World

Polygon buys Sequence, Animoca buys SOMO, Cartridge buys Playmint. Consolidation?[0:28] Today's theme is consolidation.[1:15] Is this the trend for blockchain games companies in 2026 or something more nuanced?[2:00] Why didn't we see more consolidation in 2025?[3:46] Playmint has been bought by Cartridge. This is likely more of an R&D rollup or acquihire deal.[5:53] Playmint worked on fully decentralized games and Cartridge has an onchain game engine.[7:05] Both companies also have a shared investor Bitkraft to enable the deal. [8:40] Sequence has been acquired by Polygon Labs. It's more of a classic consolidation deal. [10:50] Polygon is repositioning itself as a payments and stablecoin infrastructure. [12:13] Sequence's focus has always been cross-chain dev tools for blockchain games.[14:59] Investors like tools. Sequence raised around $50 million.[18:50] Polygon is buying Sequence because it's a proper business with real tech and users.[22:20] Will Sequence focus less on games in future? [23:06] Animoca Brands has acquired web3 gameco SOMO. It's unclear why.[29:31] Delabs Games is shutting down idle RPG Ragnarok Libre. [35:15] Delabs Games is now an AI-first game developer so it's looking to the future.

Mythical's new Pulse platform, Boomland shuts and no more SLP rewards.[0:29] BoomLand has announced it's shutting down. [2:35] It never raised much money but it was always very good at building product.[6:50] It's another example of how hard it is to operate in the blockchain game sector. [7:48] But its game Hunters On Chain will remain live during 2026. [11:18] Due to botting, SLP is no longer a token players can earn in Axie Infinity: Origins.[14:58] This reminds us that extractive value always has been balanced by similar input costs.[20:37] Mythical Games is one of the most credible mass market blockchain game companies.[21:34] It's launching a new stablecoin-based market called Pulse Market. [22:36] Paid tournament Pulse Arena platform is also live for the Pudgy Party game.[24:02] One tournament example is paying $3 entry for the chance to win $90, all in PENGU token.[25:58] The only thing that's onchain is the fee payment system and the reward payouts.[30:53] It's difficult to balance blockchain benefits and easy UX, which is what Mythical is trying to do.

The podcast dives into 2026 predictions for blockchain gaming, highlighting the rise of stablecoins and the potential of AI agents. They reflect on the failures of 2025, emphasizing that understanding past mistakes can lead to innovation. The discussion includes the shift to audience-specific games and the trend of hiding crypto elements to attract mainstream players. They also explore the evolving definition of play-to-earn and the challenges of marketing in web3. Overall, the hosts suggest a promising future for blockchain gaming, particularly through AI.

The end of the play-to-earn cycle prompts a shift in blockchain gaming dynamics. Crypto adoption sees new heights with TradFi integration, while financial incentives have muddled gameplay experiences. The focus is shifting from profit to the real-world value of in-game assets. Meanwhile, funding for blockchain games takes a significant hit. Notable transitions include Mythical Games' new NFT marketplace and YGG's pivot to casual gaming. As regulatory landscapes evolve, stablecoins are poised to redefine in-game economies and player interactions.

The Sandbox's new Corners platform, MocaProof, Soccerverse's FIFPRO license and BGA 2025 report.[0:37] The Sandbox launched its Corners UGC content-memecoin platform into invite-only beta.[3:00] It's an attempt to inject some dynamism into the SAND token aside from The Sandbox. [4:28] Corners lets user collate and curate weblinks on specific content topics.[6:33] Users can then buy each Corner's memecoin, spending it to upvote links.[7:24] Users are rewarded for their activity with SAND.[9:00] It's easy to criticise such projects but it's about trying new things around simple UGC.[13:00] The wider question is what does The Sandbox brand brings to this cultural launchpad?[21:25] Moca Network launched its ID and reputation system MocaProof.[22:10] It uses zero-knowledge proofs to preserve users privacy while proving your credentials. [23:44] This is gamified with a Mocat pet that you level up by verifying your actions.[27:25] Blockchain Game Alliance released its report for 2025.[30:00] Representation in MENA region (mainly the Gulf) had grown from 1% in 2021 to 20% in 2025. [32:00] 66% of people were extremely or somewhat optimistic for 2026.[35:17] 46% thought AI would be game-changing for blockchain gaming.[38:08] Spider Tanks launched on PC and mobile with Immutable. [41:14] EVE Frontier Cycle 4 is live with new manual ship controls.[43:48] Soccerverse signed a license with Fifpro to get access to 65,000 football players.

Sony's stablecoin plans, Fableborne Season 4, EVE Frontier's free week, and Footium's $600,000 funding. [0:32] Sony looks like it's going to be launching a stablecoin in the US.[1:09] It's an extension of the trend that's seen PayPal, Stripe and Klarna also announcing stablecoins.[2:00] Sony has set up a US bank, which is applying for a federal license, required for stablecoins. [4:44] One key reason is companies pay up to 2% of transactions as fees to Visa and Mastercard. [6:30] Sony could save up to $20 million for each $1 billion of spending it moves to its stablecoin.[8:55] Do other gaming platforms such as Steam start adopting stablecoins too?[10:43] Mobile RPG Fableborne has launched its Season 4, including guilds for the first time.[13:07] It's one of the last of a long line of play-to-earn games. Interesting to see how it goes.[14:43] Fableborne is on Ronin, which now has a bunch of live and liveish games.[15:35] Also on Ronin, Craft World has a new collab with Fishing [20:26] Immutable has launched an new AI-based marketing platform. [21:16] New mobile/PC action-RPG Myths will launch in 2026, using the Mythical Market for NFTs. [28:00] EVE Frontier is free for everyone until Tuesday 9th December; the end of Cycle 3.[34:44] UK studio Footium has raised $600,000 for its own-IP soccer management game.[36:25] Trying to create your own brands for clubs and players in a sports game is a hard sell.

Xociety and Arise release their first public playables, MapleStory burns $1.7 million tokens and we talk generative AI. [0:30] Ndus has raised $1.6 million for its pop extractor shooter Xociety, which hits also early access. [10:00] Cross The Ages has launched its PC RPG Arise into open alpha. [18:54] "It's like juggling an elephant and a crocodile. If it works, absolutely amazing."[21:36] Nexpace will burn $1.7 million NXPC in the first of its planned quarterly token burns.[27:32] Hytopia has had 1 million downloads on Google Play store.[29:47] JC Kim was on the podcast talking about genAI game-making platform Verse8.[37:10] Should games be hand-built like luxury shoes or watches? Rant over.

Jon Jordan talk to Verse8 creator JC Kim about the genAI game-making platform, which is now live for professionals and noobs. [3:15] How JC Kim first met Delabs' co-CEO James Joonmo Kwon as a mentor.[6:05] Why JC Kim started work on a generative AI game-making tool, which became Verse8.[7:20] Verse8 includes coding, 2D image generation, background music and 3D model generation.[8:10] The game sector's biggest issue is production costs. GenAI reduces this by 90%.[10:06] This means developers can try more ideas and be more [10:20] This is particularly important for web3 developers who want to rewards players with tokens. [11:56] Using AI, anyone can make mini-games and apps around an IP, which enables real community.[15:53] One element of Verse8 is the ability for users to recast or "spin" existing games.[19:15] Verse8 can generate a complete multiplayer game for around $10-$20. [21:50] Verse8 can suppport both professional game devs and inexperienced users (kids!).[28:35] Creators can also choose to launch tokens, effectively memecoins.[31:45] Delabs Games is already using Verse8 to develop new titles.

MapleStory Universe get $50M ecosystem fund, Legend of Ymir custom servers expanded, Stan extends Series A and we talk Hyptopia and Moku's Grand Arena.[0:40] Nexpace has announced a $50 million ecosystem fund for MapleStory Universe.[3:48] As a reminder Nexon funded Nexpace two years ago with $100 million of funding. [4:17] Technically the fund is "up to $50 million" - likely mainly NXPC tokens and work-in-kind etc.[6:56] MapleStory N is the core, but the fund is to encourage third party games and app around it.[8:55] This is a trend for many fully onchain games such as Soccerverse and EVE Frontier.[12:10] There's also a deeper trend with stablecoins becoming payment rails for Tradfi.[14:03] Our Mavens discussed the balance of financials and fun for blockchain games.[17:22] Wemade has expanded the custom server business for its Legend of Ymir MMORPG.[18:00] It originally auctioned 10 servers for +$20,000 each. You can earn 15% of in-game [21:37] Indian social gaming app Stan extended its Series A funding to $10.5 million.[23:08] One likely reason is India banned real money games so apps like Stan are now an alternative.[26:29] Jon had Maxwell from Hytopia on the podcast this week. [29:12] The platform is now live with its HYBUX token also live on Base.[30:16] Maxwell says "Crypto is cool but fun is #1".[33:13] Moku has launched the 4 week preseason for its Grand Arena game.

Maxwell Holmes from Roblox-on-blockchain UGC platform Hytopia thinks "Crypto is cool but fun is number 1"[2:30] "I like it when the house is on fire and tomorrow is unknown. I need the craziness."[05:08] "People see we have been consistent through the changes. We don't play the hype game."[09:36] "We're trying to use crypto to empower gamers." That continues to be the [12:46] Comparing Hytopia to Minecraft and/or Roblox in terms of its base functionality.[15:43] Gaming used to be about fidelity and polish. Now it's about social, virality and memes. [16:54] "The user is the most knowledgable about the product they want." That's the power of UGC.[18:07] "Attracting creators is Hytopia's top priority now."[19:30] Hytopia uses Typescript/Javascript, which is the easiest way to make games. [20:56] Our app (mobile/desktop) is basically the website wrapped into the app.[22:57] Anytime you target web3 gamers, you're going to fail. There aren't enough of [23:40] Crypto is cool but fun is number 1. If the games aren't fun, you will [25:44] Why does Hytopia have blockchain? It has to enhance the user [27:40] In future, investors will be able to fund new games in Hytopia and get a [29:15] Hytopia is currently doing 19,000 DAUs and 100,000 WAUs, and growing from organic users.[31:42] At launch, the marketplace will give 85% to creators with 15% used for token buybacks.[33:55] The marketplace uses both fiat and HYBUX but using HYBUX incentivized.