This Week In Gaming | Off the Grid Breaks Steam's Crypto Ban, YGG Debuts LOL Land with $10M Rewards, Ember Sword Shuts Down, MapleStory N Enhances Anti-Cheat, And More TGE News
Web3 Game Development
‘Off the Grid’ NFTs Surge as Game Heads to Steam Despite Crypto Ban Read More
Web3 shooter Off the Grid is gaining momentum as in-game NFTs on Avalanche’s GUNZ mainnet fetch thousands of dollars, with a Prankster vest recently selling for $2,393. Though only 0.13% of players can currently trade, rare item speculation is booming. The game will launch on Steam in June despite the platform’s crypto ban, raising questions about how blockchain features will be integrated. Collectors are holding onto rare Pioneer and Prankster items, anticipating demand spikes after upcoming updates.
YGG Launches ‘LOL Land’ and New Web3 Game Publishing Arm Read More
Yield Guild Games has launched YGG Play, a new publishing division focused on “Casual Degen” Web3 games, debuting with LOL Land, a browser-based board game built on Pudgy Penguins' Abstract Chain. Featuring community-based characters and token rewards, the game targets crypto-native users rather than mainstream players. With over 100,000 pre-registrations, YGG is shifting from investor to creator, aiming to serve the degen culture with light, reward-driven gameplay and a $10M YGG token prize pool.
Fableborne Adds Ability Tomes for Deeper Strategy and Customization Read More
Fableborne has introduced Ability Tomes, a new gameplay mechanic that lets players swap skills between heroes, enabling fresh strategies and combos. Initial tomes include Arcane Ball, Rumble, Focus Area, and Self-heal, each offering distinct tactical advantages in raids. More tomes—Hammer of Justice, Crossbow Turret, and Curse—are in development. This update enhances hero versatility and adds strategic depth, aligning with Fableborne’s goal of evolving dynamic, skill-based gameplay.
Tokyo Games Token (TGT) Launches with Web3 Gaming Vision Read More
The Token Generation Event for Tokyo Games Token (TGT) officially launched on May 21, 2025. Backed by Cygames, SBI, and gumi, TGT powers the Tokyo Games Ecosystem, starting with its flagship title Tokyo Beast. Users can stake TGT to earn BEAST NFTs, which generate revenue through in-game data usage rather than direct play. The model blends game sales and tokenomics for sustainable earnings. Aiming to bridge Japan’s $11B mobile gaming market with Web3, Tokyo Games marks a major shift in digital entertainment.
Ember Sword Shuts Down Amid Crypto Gaming Collapse Read More
Ethereum-based MMORPG Ember Sword has officially shut down due to a lack of funding, despite once attracting $203M in NFT land pledges during the metaverse boom. Developer Bright Star Studios cited market challenges and failed funding efforts. The EMBER token has plummeted over 99%, and servers are now offline. Ember Sword joins a growing list of Web3 game closures in 2025, including Nyan Heroes, Blast Royale, and Tatsumeeko, signaling deeper struggles in the crypto gaming sector.
MapleStory N Boosts Anti-Cheat Systems to Combat Hacks and Macros Read More
MapleStory N has rolled out enhanced security measures to tackle hacks and macros, reinforcing its commitment to fair gameplay. Using a multi-layered detection system, the game now processes over 200 enforcement actions per hour and recently issued 6,503 sanctions in a single day. The team is also refining systems to reduce false positives and encourages players to report suspicious activity. These updates reflect MapleStory N’s broader effort to maintain integrity within its blockchain-powered ecosystem.
Starknet Launches $100K Web3 Gaming Campaign Read More
Starknet’s Gaming Edition One, running from May 15 to June 15, offers $100K in prizes across six blockchain games, including Eternum and Blob Arena. Hosted on gg.xyz, players earn XP through gameplay, livestreams, and community events, climbing leaderboards for rewards like $STRK tokens and NFTs. Top players receive bonus payouts, with weekly game updates keeping engagement high. The event aims to onboard users into the Starknet ecosystem through competitive, on-chain gaming experiences.
Pudgy Penguins Launches ‘Pengu Clash’ on TON via Telegram Read More
Pudgy Penguins has released Pengu Clash, a skill-based 1v1 web3 game on the TON blockchain, playable through Telegram mini-apps. Powered by Elympics, the game offers real-time competitive mini-games like Darts and Football, with tokenized rewards and NFT incentives. Over 1 million users have joined the waitlist. This marks a broader push by Pudgy Penguins to expand from NFTs into gaming and social platforms, alongside other titles like Pudgy World and Pudgy Party, reinforcing its growing role in the web3 entertainment space.
Revolving Games Delays $RCADE Token Launch to Mid-June Read More
Revolving Games has postponed its $RCADE Token Generation Event to mid-June, citing strategic partnerships and infrastructure upgrades. The delay, announced by co-CEO Ammar Zaeem, aims to strengthen long-term growth despite community concerns. To support the ecosystem, the team injected $250K liquidity into Blur and adjusted NFT bonus structures. $RCADE powers the studio’s blockchain gaming platform, which includes War of Nova, Hatchlings, and the upcoming Skyborne: Phoenix Flight. Further updates are expected soon.
Tatsumeeko: Lumina Fates Canceled as Tatsu Shifts Focus to Project: Wander Read More
Tatsu has officially ended development on Tatsumeeko: Lumina Fates, citing misalignment with its core values and community-driven vision. Despite eight playtests, the studio found the project unsustainable. Tatsu will now focus on Project: Wander, a socially immersive game embedded in platforms like Discord. Existing assets such as Meekolony Passes will retain future utility. The move marks a return to agile, community-first development, with gameplay shaped by real-time player interaction and feedback.
Game Financing
Voya Games Secures $5M to Build Dino-Powered Web3 Game Read More
Web3 game developer Voya Games has raised $5 million in a funding round co-led by 1kx and Makers Fund, with participation from RockawayX and angel investors including Sky Mavis co-founder Jeff 'Jihoz' Zirlin and The Sandbox COO Sébastien Borget. The funds will support Craft World, a casual resource management game where players team up with friendly dinosaurs to rebuild civilization after a meteor wipeout. The game is currently in testnet.
PlaySafe ID Raises $1.12M to Tackle Cheating and Improve Gaming Safety Read More
PlaySafe ID has secured $1.12 million in pre-seed funding to enhance online gaming safety and combat cheating, bots, and abuse. Backed by Early Game Ventures and Hartmann Capital, the platform provides privacy-focused, verified digital identities to ensure fair play across titles. Built with Onfido’s KYC tech, PlaySafe ID prevents banned users from rejoining games and supports scalable enforcement without compromising user anonymity. The team plans to launch integrations later this year and expand its reach.
Airdrop & Free Mints & Launchpad
Freya: The Starfall Closed Beta Launches May 24 with $100K Prize Pool Read More
Freya: The Starfall, an AI-driven roguelike RPG developed by Japanese studio Rosentica, commenced its first closed beta test (CBT-A) on May 24, 2025. The two-week event features Adventure Mode, where players assemble squads of AI-powered mercenaries to navigate procedurally generated challenges. Participants compete for a share of a $100,000 USDC prize pool, with the top player earning $30,000.
Space Rush Relic Genesis NFT Free Mint Set for May 26 Read More
Space Rush, a Web3 sci-fi game developed by 0ex Studio, is a top-down roguelike shoot 'em up that combines fast-paced space combat with strategic decision-making. The game is launching its Relic Genesis NFT collection on May 26, 2025, at 3:00 PM UTC. This free mint includes 300 NFTs on Ethereum, available exclusively to Relic custodians and whitelist winners.
Puffverse's $PFVS Token Generation Event and Listings Scheduled for May 27 Read More
Puffverse, a 3D metaverse gaming platform developed by a team with backgrounds at Xiaomi and Alibaba, is set to launch its native token, $PFVS, on May 27, 2025. The Token Generation Event (TGE) will coincide with listings on major exchanges including KuCoin, Gate.io, Bybit, MEXC, and HashKey Global. Backed by investors such as Animoca Brands, HashKey Capital, and The Spartan Group, Puffverse offers a suite of games and tools integrating blockchain technology, NFTs, and user-generated content.
Haunted Space $GAGA IDO Launches May 27 with $200K Allocation Read More
Haunted Space, a sci-fi horror space shooter developed by Galaxy Lab, is set to launch its Initial DEX Offering (IDO) for the $GAGA token on May 27, 2025, at 3:00 PM UTC. The IDO will occur in two phases: a $100,000 whitelist round followed by a $100,000 open round. $GAGA serves as the utility and governance token within the Haunted Space ecosystem, enabling players to purchase in-game assets, stake for rewards, and access exclusive features. The Token Generation Event (TGE) is scheduled for May 29, 2025. Haunted Space will be available on platforms including Epic Games Store, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Parallel TCG Prime League Season 2 Open III Kicks Off May 31 Read More
Parallel TCG's Prime League Season 2 Open III begins on May 31, 2025, featuring a $2,500 prize pool. The tournament includes two Swiss-format qualifiers, accommodating a global player base, with the top 16 advancing to a single-elimination bracket. Participants will compete for cash prizes and league points, contributing to their standings in the season.
