Gaming News & Articles

Anichess, blending traditional chess with web3 innovations, completed a $1.8 million funding round led by Sfermion and Amber Group.

The Deets

• Strategic Partnerships: Collaboration with Chess.com and Animoca Brands.
• Game Innovation: Introduces spells and new strategies to classic chess.
• Community Growth: Over 1 million registered players.
• Future Outlook: PvP mode launch expected in Q2 2024.

The Bulk

Anichess, developed through a strategic partnership between Animoca Brands and Chess.com raised $1.8 million in its latest funding round.

With the additional funding, Anichess is poised to expand its development and marketing efforts significantly. The chess-based strategy game enhances the traditional format by incorporating unique spells that alter gameplay, offering players new tactical challenges. 

🎤 Founder Feedback

🔜 What's Next?

Anichess will shortly introduce a PvP game mode amidst continued development. 

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Animoca Brands Japan and SQUARE ENIX signed a memorandum of understanding to boost global marketing and adoption of the Symbiogenesis game and its associated NFTs.

The Deets

• Strategic Collaboration: Enhanced global reach for Symbiogenesis via expert marketing and partnerships.
• Game Integration: Use of 10,000 unique NFTs as in-game avatars and progression tools.
• Expertise Utilization: Leveraging Animoca Brands' vast network for broader market penetration.
• Community Engagement: Interactive platforms and community-driven events to bolster user involvement.

The Bulk

Animoca Brands Japan is now collaborating with SQUARE ENIX to elevate the Symbiogenesis project, a high-fantasy game featuring 10,000 NFT characters.

These characters are not only collectibles but also serve as gateways into the SYMBIOGENESIS universe, where players can explore, interact, and progress through various in-game challenges and storylines.

The partnership aims to harness Animoca Brands' extensive expertise in global NFT markets to drive adoption and create a seamless integration of NFTs into the gaming experience, enhancing player engagement and the overall value of the game's digital assets.

🎤 Founder Feedback

🔜 What's Next? 

Animoca Brands Japan will support Symbiogenesis on its NFT launchpad later this year. Dates have not yet been provided. 

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Faraway is acquiring Yuga Labs's HV-MTL and Legends of The Mara IPs, aiming to enhance the IPs by introducing a new points system and more integrations following their acquisition from Yuga.

The Deets

• New Ownership: Faraway now owns HV-MTL and Legends of the Mara
• Points System: New 'HV-MTL Points' and 'LoTM Points' to be added to NFT metadata.
• Experienced Leadership: Spencer Tucker, a gaming veteran, joins Faraway as Chief Product Officer.
• Interoperability Focus: Enhancements include cross-game interactions within Faraway’s network.

The Bulk

Faraway, a seasoned game development team backed by prominent investors like Lightspeed, Sequoia, and a16z, officially acquired Yuga's gaming IPs, HV-MTL and Legends of the Mara. This acquisition is a part of Faraway’s strategy to build an ecosystem of interoperable games that reward player engagement and loyalty.

The introduction of a new points system is a significant first step in this integration. HV-MTL and Legends of the Mara NFTs will feature new metadata fields indicating point values, which are calculated based on various attributes such as class, companion, powerscore, and more. These points will play a crucial role in enhancing the utility and value of the NFTs within Faraway's gaming network.

Adding to the strategic depth, Spencer Tucker, known for his extensive experience in the gaming industry with companies like Glu and Scopely, will oversee the product development at Faraway. His expertise will be pivotal in ensuring the smooth integration of the newly acquired IPs and maintaining the original vision of the Yuga brands.

🎤 Founder Feedback

🔜 What's Next?

Faraway plans to integrate these IPs into its broader ecosystem, with more announcements expected in the upcoming seasons. 

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nWay Games, an Animoca Brands subsidiary, announced the launch of Olympics™ Go! Paris 2024, a hybrid casual sports and simulation game licensed by the International Olympic Committee.

The Deets

• Hybrid Gameplay: Combines city-building with Olympic sports mini-games.
• Olympic Sports: Features 12 events including breaking, an official Olympic sport for the first time.
• Customization: Players manage and enhance their virtual cities and athletes.
• Soft Launch: Early access begins this month with perks for pre-registrations.

The Bulk

Olympics™ Go! Paris 2024 is set to deliver a blend of strategy and sportsmanship by allowing players to construct and evolve their own virtual cities while engaging in 12 different Olympic sports through thrilling mini-games. From traditional events like swimming and gymnastics to the newly included breaking competition, the game offers a diverse range of activities that reflect the true spirit of the Olympics.

The city-building aspect adds a strategic layer to the gameplay, where every building and upgrade can impact the athletes' performance. As players succeed in various sports, they unlock new buildings and abilities, enhancing both their city’s aesthetics and functionality. 

The game will soft launch later this month, with an eventual June rollout to mobile and PC users. A free digital collectible pin will be available to users as well. 

🎤 Founder Feedback

🔜 What's Next?

With the game's global launch set for June 2024, players can expect ongoing updates and enhancements leading up to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

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Own The Doge commissioned a unique Doge biome within Open Season, a Battle Royale-style web3 gaming environment. 

The Deets

• Unreal Engine: Epic Games’ powerful engine brings the Doge realm to life.
• Beyond the Meme: More than a game addition, a deep dive into Doge lore.
• Coming Soon: Doge biome set to launch in May, Open Season Alpha out now.

The Bulk

In a blend of internet culture and gaming innovation, Own The Doge has commissioned a special Doge-themed biome within the new battle royale game, Open Season. Utilizing Epic Games' Unreal Engine, this unique gaming environment promises to immerse players in the world of the internet's most beloved Shiba Inu, Kabosu, aka Doge. The partnership between Own The Doge and Fractional Uprising Studios, the creators of Open Season, is poised to deliver an experience filled with lore, memes, and easter eggs, delighting gamers and Doge fans alike.

🎤Founder Feedback

🔜What's Next?

With the Alpha release already attracting attention, the full release of Open Season will include more NFT community enhancements and rewards. The Doge biome is expected to launch in May. 

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TODAY, an AI-driven social simulation game, secured a $5 million seed investment to transform virtual communities with NPC interactions and player-driven creation.

The Deets

• Innovative AI Tech: Advanced character engine for deep NPC interactions
• Creative Freedom: Expansive no-code tools for player creativity
• Digital Ownership: True ownership over in-game creations
• Experienced Team: Developed by an Oscar-winning crew and industry veterans

The Bulk

TODAY is setting a new benchmark in the realm of social simulation games, announcing a $5 million seed round backed by leading investors like Sfermion and Big Brain.

TODAY is on a mission to redefine player engagement through its cutting-edge AI and storytelling. This game introduces a dynamic world where players build and manage their own virtual islands, populated by AI-driven Non-Playable Characters (NPCs).

At the heart of TODAY's innovation is its proprietary character engine, utilizing advanced AI to breathe life into NPCs with complex personalities and needs. This breakthrough technology, paired with extensive no-code creation tools, empowers players to design and customize their islands with ease, creating a truly personalized gaming experience.

🎤 Founder Feedback

🔜 What's Next?

TODAY is gearing up for an alpha launch next year, and will hosts periodic play tests announced via its Discord. The project's Ancient Seeds collection will mint on Apr. 9.

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Reboot is partnering with Xai Foundation, marking a new era in its on-chain gaming future with BattlePlan's integration on the Xai network.

The Deets

• Strategic partnership: Reboot and Xai Foundation team up for gaming innovation
• Enhanced gaming experience: Utilizing Xai's technology for BattlePlan
• Future expansions: BattlePlan! is the first of many games planned for Reboot Protocol

The Bulk

Reboot, the protocol behind Pixel Vault's BattlePlan!, entered a strategic partnership with The Xai Foundation, a new player in the gaming-centric blockchain networks.

This collaboration is set to enhance the gaming experience for BattlePlan's growing fan base which is expected to debut on Xai in Q2 2024. 

BattlePlan, celebrated for its engaging on-chain strategic gameplay, has amassed a dedicated following, with up to 5,000 weekly active users enjoying an average of two hours of gameplay daily.

Since its launch on Arbitrum Nova in early January, it has experienced more than 7.5 million transactions.

The transition to the Xai network is strategically aimed at leveraging a blockchain foundation built specifically for gaming. This move promises enhanced game stability, faster transactions, and an improved player experience. 

📊 By the Numbers

BattlePlan! boasted more than 7.5 million transactions and greater than 10,000 players participating in Season One. 

🎤 Founder Feedback

🔜 What's Next?

As BattlePlan is preparing for launch on the Xai network in Q2 2024.

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Parallel officially launched the whitepaper for its AI-Powered game, Colony, which will be launched on the Solana blockchain.

The Deets

• Highly autonomous AI avatars: Players guide avatars with wide-ranging skills for survival in future Earth scenarios.
• Continuous learning and uniqueness: Avatars grow based on experiences, shaping unique personalities and worldviews.
• Web3 wallet functionality: Avatars autonomously transact digital assets, pushing the envelope of AI capabilities in gaming.
• Echelon Prime ecosystem extension: Colony enriches the Echelon Web3 gaming environment, integrating Parallel TCG assets.

The Bulk

Parallel will break new ground with "Colony," an AI-driven web3 game that introduces autonomous avatars capable of evolving through continuous learning. The avatars, equipped with the ability to transact using web3 wallets, offer players a novel gameplay experience that doesn't require much human intervention.

In Colony, players will be able to create new Avatars (not to be confused with the original collection) with $PRIME. Initial Avatar creation will require holding the Original NFT, but series of Avatars may be released on Solana in the future. 

📊 By the Numbers

The market reacted kindly to the whitepaper with Parallel's $PRIME token rising 11.7% to $21.01. 

🧐 Wait, What?

At its core, "Colony" merges AI's potential with blockchain's transparency and security, allowing avatars to learn, evolve, and transact independently. This convergence offers a glimpse into the future of digital interactions and entertainment.

🔜 What's Next?

Colony's Alpha is expected in Q4 2024 or Q1 2025.  

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Animoca Brands announced a strategic investment in Param Labs, a UAE-based gaming infrastructure innovator. 

The Deets

• Strategic Investment: Animoca Brands injects funds into Param Labs to accelerate web3 and digital property rights initiatives.
• Game Development: Kiraverse, a flagship web3 game, offers digital asset competition and trading.
• Innovative Tech: Pixel-to-Poly technology transforms 2D images into 3D in-game characters.
• Esports and Ecosystem Growth: Partnerships with esports giants and a forthcoming ecosystem token launch.

The Bulk

Param Labs, stationed in the United Arab Emirates, and Animoca Brands solidified their partnership with a strategic investment aimed at enhancing web3 infrastructure. 

Kiraverse, the cornerstone of Param Labs' portfolio, is a web3 multiplayer third-person shooter game that champions digital ownership and the trade of in-game assets like characters and skins.

Additionally, Param Labs is pioneering the Pixel-to-Poly service, enabling the conversion of 2D images into 3D playable characters.

🎤 Founder Feedback

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MapleStory Universe is partnering with Avalanche to utilize its 'Subnet' technology, aiming for an expanded and stable blockchain ecosystem for its gaming universe. 

The Deets

• Strategic Partnership: Aiming for a robust blockchain ecosystem through Avalanche's technology.
• Subnet Technology: Facilitates a smooth gaming experience with fast transactions.
• Game Developers Panel Talk: Upcoming event to discuss blockchain integration in gaming in San Francisco. 

The Bulk

MapleStory Universe is entering a strategic alliance with Avalanche, a Layer 1 blockchain. This partnership pivots on leveraging Avalanche's advanced 'Subnet' technology, which is distinguished for supporting app-specific platforms that can ensure a seamless gaming experience. 

By integrating Avalanche's Subnet, MapleStory Universe sets its sights on facilitating a seamless and enriched gaming experience. This collaboration with Avalanche opens up new avenues for MapleStory Universe, allowing it to securely service a wide array of decentralized applications (dApps) alongside its PC MMORPG, MapleStory N.

MapleStory Universe envisions rolling out an array of tools and applications designed to revolutionize the web3 gaming experience. A testament to this commitment will be showcased at a joint panel talk hosted by MapleStory Universe and Avalanche at the 2024 Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco. 

🎤 Founder Feedback

🔜 What's Next?

MapleStory Universe is gearing up for the launch of 'MapleStory N' in selected countries. 

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