This Week In Gaming | Shrapnel Raises $19.5M for Global Launch, Immutable Partners with Ubisoft, Ronin Returns as Ethereum L2, and Avalanche Opens $250K Gaming Accelerator
Web3 Game Development
BloodLoop Season 2 Launches with Weekly $1,000 Prize Pools Read More
Ragnarok Games has launched BloodLoop Season 2, introducing six weekly play-to-earn events with $1,000 prize pools each, totaling $6,000 in rewards. Players earn points through crafting, refining, and PvP modes such as Energy War, Team Deathmatch, and Free for All. A $5 Season Pass in $BLS tokens is required to participate. Season 2 also debuts XP Boosters for increased rewards and runs until mid-September, offering both strategic and competitive opportunities for players.
Calamity Launches Incentivized Technical Test with $1K Prize Pool Read More
Calamity, the Ronin-powered sandbox MMORPG, will run its Incentivized Technical Test from August 19–22, offering rewards in USDC, Factory NFTs, and WYRM tokens. Players earn Gold by selling loot or collecting Wyrm Shards via a $2 Season Pass, while Valor Points from dungeon runs determine leaderboard rankings. The $1,000 USDC Tribute pool scales with in-game purchases, and the top 25 players win Factory NFTs. A 500,000 WYRM raffle rewards 100 winners, and content creators can also earn NFTs. The test previews new P2A features ahead of Calamity’s campaign launch.
Ronin Returns to Ethereum as a Layer 2 with Builder-Focused Rewards Read More
Ronin Network, originally launched by Sky Mavis in 2021 as a gaming sidechain, is transitioning into a full Ethereum Layer 2 between Q1–Q2 2026. The move promises faster speeds, stronger security, and broader applications beyond gaming, including DeFi, SocialFi, collectibles, and AI. A key change is the Proof of Distribution (PoD) model, shifting staking rewards from passive validators to active builders like Pixels, Moku, and Axie Infinity, based on a Builder Score. Ronin will also expand payment services in emerging markets, reinforcing its growth as a leading Web3 ecosystem.
Shrapnel Raises $19.5M to Power Global Launch and China Entry Read More
Neon Machine has secured $19.5M in funding, led by Gala Games with Griffin Gaming Partners and Polychain Capital, to accelerate the global rollout of its web3 FPS Shrapnel. The studio will migrate to GalaChain, streamlining accounts, royalties, and marketplaces, while preparing a cross-chain bridge to China’s Trusted Copyright Chain by early 2026. Shrapnel is set to become the first licensed web3 game in China, reaching an estimated 600M players. With staged China access in late 2025 and live service refinements ongoing, Shrapnel is positioned as a landmark test for compliant, large-scale web3 gaming.
Immutable Play Opens to Web2 Games with Ubisoft as First Partner Read More
Immutable has opened its Play platform to web2 studios, with Ubisoft as the first AAA partner through Might & Magic Fates. Play provides quests, leaderboards, attribution, and rewards to boost pre-launch growth and post-launch retention. Already logging over 5M sign-ups in web3, the platform now extends its IMX-powered rewards and Main Quest system to traditional games. Ubisoft’s integration marks a landmark test of whether onchain-driven engagement can cut acquisition costs and sustain players at AAA scale, signaling broader adoption potential across the industry.
RavenQuest Debuts on Epic Games Store with Treasures Below Expansion Read More
RavenQuest launches on the Epic Games Store on August 15, alongside its first major expansion, Treasures Below. The update introduces roguelike Expeditions, a 2v2 ranked Arena with seasonal leaderboards, and two new archetypes—Ballistics and Naturalist—expanding class combinations. A new gemstone system enhances gear customization, while a permanent double XP catch-up helps newcomers reach Legacy Level 60 faster. With broader visibility through Epic and deeper progression systems, RavenQuest aims to grow its player base and strengthen its sandbox MMORPG community.
Lumiterra Expands to Monad with Early Access and AI Agent Gameplay Read More
Lumiterra launched Early Access on Monad on August 13 during the LUMONAD Converge event, introducing AI companions, exclusive NFT rewards, and themed cosmetics. Built on Monad’s high-performance, EVM-compatible blockchain with 1-second finality, the expansion enables faster trades, listings, and strategy updates critical for Lumiterra’s survival crafting economy. Players gain testnet access while training AI agents that operate even offline, strengthening in-game markets. The campaign serves as both a content drop and stress test, highlighting Monad’s potential to power scalable, on-chain interactive environments.
Avalanche and Helika Launch $250K Gaming Accelerator Read More
Avalanche and Helika have announced a $250,000 Web3 gaming accelerator to support blockchain and hybrid game developers. The three-month program offers $25K upfront funding per studio, with up to $125K in additional grants tied to milestones. Beyond capital, teams gain mentorship, Avalanche’s scalable infrastructure, and Helika’s analytics tools for tracking engagement and in-game economies. The initiative culminates in a Demo Day, where developers pitch to investors and publishers. Positioned as a bridge between Web2 and Web3, the accelerator emphasizes sustainable design, smooth onboarding, and fair reward systems for long-term growth.
Airdrop & Free Mints & Launchpad
Avalanche Battle Pass Season 2 Launches Aug 18 with $25K+ Rewards Read More
Avalanche and Playfull are rolling out Battle Pass Season 2 on August 18, 2025, featuring a $25,000+ prize pool. Players can complete missions, climb leaderboards, and unlock exclusive rewards through competitive challenges. The new season continues Avalanche’s push to grow its gaming ecosystem with structured incentives and community-driven events.
Xociety Playtest Runs Aug 18–Sep 2 with 20M $XO Rewards Read More
Xociety, a social MMO blending gaming, economy, and community building, will host its latest playtest from August 18 to September 2, 2025, featuring a massive 20 million $XO prize pool. Players can explore, compete, and contribute to shaping the game’s evolving world while earning token rewards.
My Neighbor Alice Launches Play to Airdrop on Aug 19 with 100K $ALICE Rewards Read More
My Neighbor Alice, the multiplayer builder game on Chromia, is kicking off a Play to Airdrop event on August 19, 2025, with a 100,000 $ALICE prize pool. Players can dive into farming, building, and community activities while earning rewards.
Holosim Season 1 Launches Aug 20 with $35K Prize Pool Read More
Holosim, a competitive simulation built within the Star Atlas ecosystem, launches its Season 1 on August 20, 2025, featuring a $35,000 prize pool split between $5,000 USDC and $30,000 in Star Atlas assets.
Ragnarok Landverse Genesis Major Event Set for Aug 30-31 with $30K Prize Pool Read More
Ragnarok Landverse, the Web3 MMORPG blending classic Ragnarok Online gameplay with blockchain features, will host its Genesis Major Event on August 30-31, 2025, featuring a $30,000 prize pool.
