This Week in Gaming | CARV Staking Rewards on Arbitrum, Ragnarok and Nifty Island Launch Tokens on Ronin, Sophon Mainnet, Big Time Studios’ $150M Loot Fund
Web3 Game Development
CARV Launches Exclusive Rewards Campaign for Arbitrum Stakers Read More
CARV has introduced an 8-week rewards campaign for $CARV holders on Arbitrum, running from December 23, 2024, to February 10, 2025. Participants can earn a share of 30,000 $CARV tokens or a 5% extra APR bonus by staking $CARV to receive veCARV(s). Rewards are distributed weekly via airdrops, with balances tracked daily on Base. A historical participation bonus also recognizes loyal supporters. The first snapshot will occur on December 22, 2024, at 16:00 UTC.
Ragnarok Landverse Expands to Ronin Network for 2025 Launch Read More
Ragnarok Landverse, a blockchain-enhanced MMORPG inspired by the classic Ragnarok Online, will debut its Genesis version on Ethereum’s Ronin network in early 2025. Previously soft-launched on BNB Chain, the game has already attracted 400,000 players and $15M in NFT sales. The new Ronin version offers a "fresh start," with plans to migrate assets from other servers later. Developer Maxion, partnered with Gravity, will also operate a Ronin validator node as part of its broader Web3 gaming ecosystem under Zentry. This marks the second Ragnarok game on Ronin, joining Ragnarok: Monster World. Pre-registration for Genesis is open, allowing players to link their Ronin wallets for potential rewards.
Neon Machine Appoints New CEO as Shrapnel Prepares for 2025 Launch Read More
Neon Machine, the developer of Avalanche-based FPS Shrapnel, has named Xbox veteran Ken Rosman as its new CEO, with co-founder Mark Long stepping into an advisory role. Rosman will focus on Shrapnel's global rollout, live-ops, and partnerships as the game nears its 2025 launch. The studio also announced a new fundraising round led by Blizzard Avalanche Ecosystem Fund, building on its prior $20M raise. Despite ongoing legal disputes, Neon Machine is committed to delivering its blockchain-powered game featuring player-driven economies and unique NFT assets.
Nifty Island Launches ISLAND Token and Airdrop Read More
Nifty Island has launched ISLAND, its Ethereum-based utility token, to power its gaming metaverse. With a total supply of 1 billion, ISLAND rewards participants of its play-to-airdrop campaign and eligible NFT holders. Staking ISLAND unlocks enhanced rewards, exclusive resources, and governance rights. The community receives 38.6% of the supply, with allocations for gameplay incentives and rewards. Tokens are claimable on the Nifty Island website.
Kaidro Launches KDR Token on Ronin Network Read More
Anime-inspired franchise Kaidro will launch its KDR token on Ethereum sidechain Ronin on December 18, allocating 35% of the 100M supply to community rewards. The token will support play-to-airdrop campaigns, in-game items, governance, and exclusive content. KDR will trade on Bitmart and Katana, with 25% allocated to investors, 12% to the team, and smaller portions for liquidity, advisors, and marketing. Based on the Kaidro webcomic, the franchise spans an RPG, audiobooks, and an upcoming TV series. Future plans include closed beta for Kaidro: Clan Battles and the launch of Kaidro: Pocket Game.
Pixel Dungeons Expands PIXEL Token Ecosystem on Ronin Read More
The team behind Ethereum farming game Pixels has announced Pixel Dungeons, a competitive dungeon crawler on the Ronin network. Players mine PIXEL tokens, battle goblins, and avoid hazards in fast-paced, two-minute matches. Developed with Crack and Stack, Pixel Dungeons is the first externally developed game published by Pixels. The PIXEL token remains central, enabling cross-game rewards and monetization within the ecosystem. Pixels reports 200,000 monthly active spenders and handed out $5M worth of PIXEL tokens in November. The closed beta for Pixel Dungeons starts December 18, with access based on players' reputation scores.
Sophon Launches Mainnet with $500M TVL and Validium Technology Read More
Sophon has launched its mainnet, leveraging Validium technology on Avail to enhance scalability for consumer-focused blockchain applications. The platform debuted with $500M in Total Value Locked (TVL) through a farming program, sold 120,000 node licenses, and partnered with major players like Mirai Labs and OPEN. SOPH tokens, set to become tradable in Q1 2025, power the ecosystem with rewards for liquidity providers and node operators. Strategic partnerships and a user-friendly approach position Sophon to drive blockchain adoption in gaming, finance, and entertainment.
Treasure Launches Gaming-Focused Ethereum L2 on ZKsync Read More
Treasure has migrated from Arbitrum to a gaming-specific Ethereum layer-2 (L2) built on ZKsync's Elastic Chain, introducing features like gasless transactions, social logins, and a developer toolkit. Over $200M in assets and 15+ games have transitioned to the new network, powered by the MAGIC token. The migration enhances scalability and user experience, supporting games like Wanderers and Zeeverse. A celebratory campaign offers Cartridge NFTs and MAGIC rewards, with staking and L3 Infinity Chains planned for 2025.
Axie Infinity Frosty Fiesta Offers Double AXS Rewards Read More
Axie Infinity's Frosty Fiesta runs from December 16 to 29, 2024, doubling AXS rewards across Weekly Premier Bounty Board, Leaderboard, and Master Quest categories. New quests, including a coco-eating task, streamline access to the Premier Bounty Board, while adjusted requirements and improved point rewards make tasks more accessible. Seasonal updates bring a festive look to App.axie, enhancing the gameplay experience. With over 30K AXS in rewards and expanded opportunities for players, this event is the year's final highlight for the Lunacian community.
HamsterVerse Launches Closed Beta Contest for Season 2 with $3,000 USDT Prize Pool Read More
HamsterVerse is inviting community members to join the Closed Beta Testing for its Season 2 launch, featuring three new games forming the foundation of its entertainment ecosystem. Participants can win a share of a $3,000 USDT prize pool by subscribing to Hamster Kombat: Gamedev Heroes, Hamster Fight Club, and Hamster King on social media via GLEAM. Each platform offers 1,000 USDT for 50 winners, distributed randomly after testing. Players can engage directly with the $HMSTR token-powered games while shaping the future of HamsterVerse.
Game Financing
Big Time Studios Launches $150M Open Loot Fund for Web3 Games Read More
Big Time Studios has introduced the $150M Open Loot Fund to support web3 game developers with financial backing, tools, marketing expertise, and advisory services. The fund aims to enhance blockchain gaming by prioritizing engaging gameplay complemented by NFTs and token economies. Open Loot, with over $500M in transaction volume and 1.5M players, offers developers tools to mint and distribute digital assets seamlessly. This initiative reflects Big Time Studios’ commitment to advancing high-quality web3 gaming and fostering innovation in the industry.
Fantasy.top Unveils V2 and Secures $4.25M Seed Funding Read More
Fantasy.top, a decentralized trading card game platform, announced Fantasy V2 alongside a $4.25M seed funding round led by Dragonfly and Manifold Ventures. The funds will enhance trading card games, fantasy betting, and daily prize pools, with rewards reaching $100K daily and $350K weekly. Fantasy X, a dynamic alternative feed for Crypto Twitter, is now live, aiming to onboard millions of users. The platform also plans to integrate real-time trading features inspired by Crypto Twitter trends, further expanding its footprint in decentralized finance and social media ecosystems.
Airdrop & Free Mints & Launchpad
WorldShards Unveils In-Game Economy with Proxy Tokens and Pre-TGE Airdrops Read More
WorldShards, a sandbox MMORPG by Lowkick Studio, is launching its full in-game economy in December 2024 ahead of its Token Generation Event in 2025. The update introduces Proxy Tokens, which players can earn and later convert 1:1 to game tokens post-TGE. A 30-day free trial allows wider access, while an airdrop rewards active players based on engagement. The game has already amassed 300,000 members and $4M in 2024 sales. By blending web2 and web3 elements, WorldShards offers flexibility and positions itself as a leader in blockchain gaming.
