Weekly Gaming News Digest with CARV | Animoca Brands raises US$20M for its Mocaverse project

This is the weekly gaming news powered by CARV, covering the game updates and industry news from September 11th to September 17th, 2023.

As a platform focusing on gaming, CARV consistently strives to stay updated with the ever-changing game industry. In order to ensure that you are kept abreast of the latest gaming news, we are delighted to present you with a review of last week's highlights.

📌 Industry News

Animoca Brands raises US$20M for its Mocaverse project [Read more]

On September 11, 2023, Animoca Brands secured $20 million in funding, led by CMCC Global and other investors, for its Mocaverse project. The funds will be used to develop Web3 tools, expand partnerships, and grow their ecosystem. Mocaverse aims to create digital identities, loyalty points, and NFT collections for users, advancing Web3 accessibility and growth. CMCC Global, a blockchain-focused VC, expressed excitement about this investment opportunity. Animoca Brands' co-founder, Yat Siu, emphasized decentralization and community-driven innovation. The funding consists of Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) and includes utility token warrants for investors.

Ancient8 Launches A Web3 Gaming Layer 2 Chain on Ethereum - Chainwire [Read more]

Ancient8 has launched the Ancient8 Chain, an Ethereum Layer 2 designed for gaming and Web3 adoption. It aims to provide scalable, cost-effective blockchain gaming infrastructure with a suite of products for game studios. Ancient8 is driven by a decentralized community outlook and collaboration with core gaming partners. The launch targets global expansion to onboard millions into Web3.

Unstoppable Domains, The Sandbox, and Smobler Forge a Pioneering Digital Identity and Metaverse Partnership [Read more]

Unstoppable Domains, The Sandbox, and Smobler have formed an alliance to redefine the metaverse landscape. They will launch the Unstoppable Experience within The Sandbox, offering in-game adventures, an educational component about web3 domains, an exclusive UD Avatar collection, and more. Unstoppable Domains becomes a Certified Partner of The Sandbox, aiming to empower users in the metaverse. The Unstoppable Experience is set to launch in December 2023, with further integration of UD domains in 1Q 2024.

Salvo has secured $1.5 million in angel funding [Read more]

Salvo has secured $1.5 million in angel funding led by a prominent Asian gaming producer, with a focus on advancing Web3 initiatives, including game development, platform enhancements, and player asset management. CEO Bill will share insights at the "GMA - W Labs Web3 Gaming Summer" event during Token2049 in Singapore. Media coverage is acknowledged in Chinese publications.

Pixels moving from Polygon to Ronin [Read more]

The blockchain game Pixels, previously on Polygon, is transitioning to Sky Mavis' Ronin due to lower gas fees and the opportunity to tap into the Axie Infinity audience. Despite being one of the most popular Polygon games, it saw a decline in daily active users. This aligns with the trend of games moving between blockchains, and Sky Mavis is expanding its third-party-developed game portfolio on Ronin, with other studios like Directive Games and Tribes joining. Pixels' CEO noted the logical step in their journey partnering with Sky Mavis.

GamePhilos raises $8M for mobile strategy game Age of Dino [Read more]

GamePhilos has secured $8 million in seed funding to develop its free-to-play mobile/PC strategy game, Age of Dino, which will incorporate web3 features like NFT ownership and an in-game economy. The studio comprises former members of prominent companies like Netease, Zynga, FunPlus, and ByteDance. Age of Dino will be built on the Xterio Foundation platform and leverage the FunPlus engine. Xterio Ltd, Animoca Ventures, SevenX Ventures, and Chain Hill Capital led the funding round, with support from other investors including Hashkey Capital and GSR.

Shanghai International Blockchain Week returns on September 15th [Read more]

Shanghai International Blockchain Week, organized by Wanxiang Blockchain Labs, returns in September 2023 with key events including the Wanxiang Blockchain Hackathon, Open Day, and the Ninth Global Blockchain Summit. It has been a prominent blockchain event for nine years, attracting scholars, tech leaders, and industry representatives. This year, it will focus on the latest trends and breakthroughs in the global blockchain industry, featuring discussions, projects, and networking opportunities for blockchain enthusiasts and professionals.

📌 Game Updates

GAMEE launches ‘Beasties’ NFT characters for its popular Arc8 platform [Read more]

GAMEE, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, has introduced Beasties in its Arc8 gaming app, allowing players to mint in-game companions into NFTs at no cost. Players receive an in-game egg that hatches into their Beastie, which can be upgraded with in-game rewards. These NFTs offer benefits and can be used for mining Luck in the game. Arc8 aims to bridge Web2 and Web3 gaming with hybrid features and payment options, providing a seamless experience for both player groups. The platform has partnered with various brands and was recently ranked among the best blockchain gaming apps on the Polygon network.

Arena Of Faith Will Launch the Pioneer Avatar NFT Mint Event on September 14 [Read more]

Arena of Faith, a blockchain-based MOBA game, is set to launch its Pioneer Avatar NFT collection with a limited run of 2,000 pieces. These NFTs offer various privileges, including access to AOF Esports Player Identity, priority gaming passes, future airdrops, early access to advanced features, and more. The game aims to serve the MOBA esports ecosystem and create a decentralized tournament system. Open Beta testing is expected in October, with rewards and events for participants. The project recently raised $1.75 million in seed funding led by Chain Hill Capital.

Heroes of Mavia Redefines Web3 Gaming with "Mass Ownership" Model [Read more]

Heroes of Mavia, a blockchain mobile game, introduces the "Mass Ownership" Model, challenging the traditional "Play to Earn" concept. Instead of relying on cryptocurrency rewards, the game emphasizes in-game assets like Ruby and Legendary Items. Ruby is earned in-game and used within the game's ecosystem, while Legendary Items can be traded in-game or on external marketplaces for cryptocurrencies or fiat currency. This model aims to strike a balance between player engagement and rewards while prioritizing the enjoyment of gaming.

Yuga Labs Opens The Hunt in HV-MTL Forge [Read more]

HV-MTL Forge, part of the Bored Ape universe, launches "The Hunt" where players can delve into "The Rift", a rogue-type dungeon to gather crafting materials. Players select biomes and difficulty levels, and their HVs' battery level acts as a health bar. Materials gathered can craft Augments for HVs. The game prepares players for a raid boss arriving in season six. HV-MTL Forge, starting as a pet ownership/base-building game, evolves into a dungeon exploration and crafting experience centered around HV-MTL NFTs.

Wreck League Opens With Inaugural Tournament [Read more]

Wreck League, a PvP action combat game, allows players to build fighter Mechs using NFT parts, resulting in over 1.4 quadrillion possible combinations. The game launched its inaugural leaderboard tournament, Mez’i’s Mayhem, from September 14th to 28th. Rewards for top players include exclusive NFTs. Mechs can be assembled from parts found in boxes or purchased on Open Sea. Wreck League will feature both NFT-based and free-to-play versions.

Mighty Action Heroes Releases Mighty Road Update [Read more]

Mighty Action Heroes, a free-to-play browser/mobile battle royale game, introduces the "Mighty Road" update, featuring a player leveling system, Season Pass with rewards, quests, new heroes, and Perks for customization. Perks offer in-game bonuses, while quests contribute to player leveling. The game also introduces two currencies, Coins and Gems, and adds eight new heroes, bringing the total to sixteen. Mighty Action Heroes combines blockchain and off-chain assets and offers both free and premium content.