Blockchain Gaming World

Animoca Minds, MapleStory integrates Verse8 AI game-making tools, GOAT Gaming shuts down and Forkast esports prediction market.[1:11] This week has seen an explosion in interest about AI agents, notably Clawbot and Moltbook.[3:10] With ClawBot, you can create an AI assistant with access to your entire computer. [5:14] It was also a massive security issue.[6:20] Other people criticized it for just being Stochastic Parrots, not real intelligence. [9:50] Animoca Brands has announced Animoca Minds, based on CryptoSlam's Ethoswarm tech.[11:53] A key issue for this technology is its cost, particularly who will pay for the tokens. [13:00] Animoca Minds is focused on onchain activity, such as token trading.[15:36] What are the synergies between AI agents and blockchain?[18:00] Likely Animoca Minds will be fairly limited in functionality at launch.[20:54] AI agents will need crypto to operate online and pay for their activity.[23:13] Also, humans will need to prove they are humans, which is easy to do onchain.[25:40] Will we see more cozy games and human-centric activities like jigsaws and coloring?[27:40] Nexpace is integrating genAI game-making tech Verse8 into MapleStory Universe.[33:52] GOAT Gaming is shutting down as Wearemighty shifts to making games using AI tools.[38:18] BCGW 206 was about esports and emerging markets-centric prediction market Forkast.[44:36] Ubisoft's Might & Magic Fates is live on mobile/PC on Immutable.

Jon Jordan talks to Forkast CEO Chris Gonsalves and Arbitrum Gaming Ventures Ethan Sy.[1:12] Ethan's history. He was previously at Play Ventures, investing in web2/3 gaming.[3:05] Chris started at Bitcoin Center. Moved to Consensys, then co-founded Community Gaming.[4:26] Esports prediction markets launched within Community Gaming, which became Forkast.[4:56] Chris believes prediction markets will take market share from all trading apps.[9:15] The worst time to invest in blockchain gaming was when everyone was investing.[12:07] Arbitrum is the solo LP in AGV, but the fund is returns-focused, not just ecosystem-focused.[15:06] How does Forkast compete with Polymarket and Kalshi etc?[16:19] Forkast is a prediction market for gamers and esports fans, focused on emerging markets.[17:55] "We think esports predictions are a huge, untapped global market."[23:25] Forkast includes rewarded quests and gamified features to encourage engagement.[24:50] Trading on the metrics of individual companies such as Apple and Tesla will be huge. [27:17] Allowing users to create their own prediction markets is tricky due to how they are resolved.[28:45] Is the 'financialization of everything' a good thing for society?[35:27] What do esports teams think about prediction markets like Forkast?

A deep dive into Animoca’s tangled finances and why its 2022 accounts still matter. The story of how a $5 million studio purchase morphed into a token-heavy asset base. The Sandbox’s prolonged alpha, token liquidity struggles, and massive write downs. Discussions about corporate reshuffles, buybacks, and whether AI could reignite user‑generated content and revive the metaverse project.

Jack O’Holleran, CEO of Skale Labs and scaling entrepreneur for gaming and on-chain AI, discusses SKALE’s expansion to Base and its role for mobile game PGA Tour Rise. He explains seamless multi-chain UX, how low-cost high-throughput chains enable agentic commerce, and the new privacy L1 FAIR for agents and gamers.

Read the full article at https://www.blockchaingamer.biz/features/41347/top-50-blockchain-game-companies-2026/[6:55] One of the trends is the rise of games with degen mechanics, notably YGG at #3.[8:35] YGG's positioning of LOL Land as a "Casual Degen" game - a casual game with degen rewards.[10:30] These games have been a (relative) success. Mass-market web3 games haven't been.[12:55] Also in the Top 50, Cambria, Gigaverse and Fishing Frenzy use this degen mechanic.[15:37] Even Mythical Games is moving towards this with its Pulse Arena platform. [19:35] Sky Mavis' Ronin blockchain has a lot of these degen games running on it.[27:02] Dacoco's Alien Worlds is an underappreciated web3 game for its DAO focus. [35:00] CCP's EVE Frontier is the prime example of a bottom-up, fully onchain MMORPG.[41:18] Roblox-with-blockchain Hytopia launched in 2025 with 2.5 million mobile downloads.[44:27] The #1 company is MapleStory Universe dev Nexpace (Nexon).[52:04] Also ... Bitcoin game payment company ZBD announced a $40 million Series C funding round.

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.