Today’s Web3 digest will cover gaming, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the metaverse, and other blockchain-related technologies.

Here are the stories that shape Web3.

Top Stories

• Sony: Tech and entertainment giant Sony Group’s subsidiary Sony Network Communications announced efforts to explore Web3 technology as a solution to industry issues. As part of the initiative, Sony has announced an incubation program with Japanese smart contracts platform Astar Network. Also joining the initiative is Startale Labs, a Singapore-based developer of decentralized applications (dApps) and blockchain infrastructure (SA).

• Toei Animation/The Sandbox: Metaverse gaming platform The Sandbox has formed a partnership with Japanese animation company Toei Animation. The collaboration aims to bring some of the brand’s most beloved characters to the virtual world. Iconic anime titles produced under Toei’s belt include the likes of Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sailor Moon, and Yu-Gi-Oh! (IBD).

• LG Electronics: At the Frieze Los Angeles 2023 art fair, South Korean electronics corporation LG Electronics showcased NFT artworks on its organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TVs. The exhibition featured New York-based sculptor Barry X Ball’s works, which includes a 39-second kinetic NFT, as well as a 24-karat gold-plated sculpture (KT).

• Tencent/MultiversX: Blockchain platform MultiversX (formerly Elrond) has teamed up with Tencent Cloud to help in expanding its Web3 offerings. Tencent Cloud is the cloud computing arm of Chinese technology and entertainment conglomerate Tencent. According to MultiversX CEO Beniamin Mincu, the partnership will explore “payments, Web3 hubs, infrastructure, staking services, and the metaverse” (CD).

• Red Bull Doodle Art: Renowned art competition Red Bull Doodle Art kicked off on February 13, its application and selection phase across various universities in the Philippines. Winning participants will qualify for the Doodle Art World Finals in Amsterdam in May. This season will focus on NFTs as the medium to be explored (MS).

Web3 Games

• Star Atlas: Space-themed Web3 game Star Atlas recently announced the project’s roadmap for 2023. The game’s latest blog entry (issue #15) provided an in-depth look into future Showroom updates, including a move to “the latest stable Unreal Engine 5.1 version.” Moreover, the team revealed forthcoming playtests for the ‘Star Atlas Golden Era’ (SAGE) project (M).

• Million on Mars: Web3 simulation strategy game Million on Mars has raised $3.5 million to boost development of the Wax-based project. Essentially, the sci-fi title is a crafting game centered on the human race colonizing the Red Planet. “The game is all about what it’s going to take to settle Mars,” Million on Mars CEO Erik Bethke stated (VB).

• Pulsar: Pulsar, a massively multiplayer online (MMO), real-time strategy (RTS) game on the Avalanche blockchain, has launched an updated trailer. The new video showcased several gameplay aspects, along with the vehicles, suits, and weapons that make up Pulsar (TW). 

• Sidus: Sidus, a sci-fi metaverse game on the Ethereum network, will host an ask me anything (AMA) session on the 2nd of March. The stream will feature the title’s co-founders Roman Povolotskii and Dan Khomenko (Sidus Heroes CEO). Basically, the AMA will focus on upcoming awards, networking, tournaments, and other updates (TW).

• Non Fungible Arcade: Web3 gaming platform Non Fungible Arcade recently teased a fully customizable profile picture (PFP) NFT project. In addition, the team also unveiled images featuring the cyberpunk-inspired character “Golden Circuits.” Holders are allowed to edit their  NFT’s traits including eyes, hair, and weapons, among others (TW).

• Dimensionals: Upcoming role-playing game (RPG) Dimensionals is offering free mints to its “Genesis Stones” NFT collection. The digital assets will grant holders with benefits such as exclusive access to future projects, groups, and content (TW).

NFT News

• Kalao: NFT marketplace Kalao recently launched “The Citadel.” The company describes the new platform as a “social sandbox for the Avalanche community.” The latest offering will allow users to use voice chat and text, attend or host events, as well as shop for dApps, among others (TW).

• OpenSea: The largest NFT marketplace OpenSea has introduced lower fees while offering bigger pay for creators. Experts view the move as the platform’s way to counter the migration of users to emerging competitor Blur. OpenSea also strongly rebuked the rival marketplace for rolling back creator earnings and the “false choice they’re forcing creators to make between liquidity on Blur or OpenSea” (CT).

• Bored Ape Kennel Club: Following allegations of intellectual property theft, NFT company Yuga Labs is changing the logo for its Bored Ape Kennel Club (BAKC) collection. Apparently, the popular digital collectible developer drew flak after their wolf skull logo drew comparisons to a sample work found on educational art series ‘Easy Drawing Guides’ (CT).

Into the Metaverse

• Sinverse: Web3 “mafia metaverse” game Sinverse has announced a wave of developments for the project. This includes the launch of a public marketplace that can connect to MetaMask wallets, allowing users to acquire items using Sinverse’ token $SIN. In addition, the team also plans to offer land owners and business license holders the option to form hemp farms and coffee shops in the game’s virtual world (BTC). 

• nChain/Transmira: Blockchain technology company nChain has formed a partnership with extended reality (XR) metaverse developer Transmira. Essentially, the collaboration aims to build metaverse solutions while expanding the ecosystem. Furthermore, the companies will focus on connecting physical and digital worlds, as well as boosting user engagement and monetization for major industries and markets (MTS).

• AXA France: Insurance company AXA France has launched its gaming experience “Axadia” on The Sandbox metaverse. AXA’s virtual space features several floors including a recruitment area, a rooftop, and a museum where users can learn about the company’s history. Additionally, the project will also give away NFT rewards to lucky participants (FI).

Around the Blockchain

• Helium: Web3-based wireless communication network Helium is slated to migrate to the Solana network on March 27. Basically, the network will fully transfer all assets including the tokens $HNT, $MOBILE, and $IOT. Moreover, the team will also launch a new version of the Helium Wallet App after the Solana migration (CD). 

• Neal Mohan: Recently, video streaming platform YouTube appointed its new CEO Neal Mohan, who also served as the company’s chief product officer for seven years. Mohan is known in the space for his open support for Web3 and other related technologies. “We believe new technologies like blockchain and NFTs can allow creators to build deeper relationships with their fans,” Mohan wrote in a 2022 blog entry (DC).

• GrainChain: Blockchain-based agricultural exchange platform GrainChain has secured $29 million in a funding round led by internet retailer Overstock.com Inc. The company plans to deploy the capital to boost growth in the United States, as well as the Latin American region. Utilizing distributed ledger technology (DLT), GrainChain provides payments and supply tracking solutions to farmers, distributors, grocers, etc. (SA).

Web3 Content Creators

• Brycent: Fantasy NFT basketball game SorareNBA attended the NBA All-Star Weekend with Web3 gaming influencer Brycent. The company shared a video of the content creator giving a preview of future plans courtside. “We’re scouting players in the rising stars game, everyone you need to be adding into your lineup for the weeks and years to come, the rising stars in the NBA and the G-League,” Brycent stated. 

• Cagy: Web3 game YouTuber Cagy’s gaming organization the Juice Team recently announced that they have “a lineup of NFTs ready to be airdropped across many games to Founder Key holders.” In addition, the group also showcased the first five NFTs that were recently released. This includes M16, Soft Suit, Super Suit, Super Helmet, and Super Mask.

• Hustle: Over the weekend, Crypto Banter host Hustle teased some upcoming updates for his NFT gaming collective This Thing Of Ours (TTOO). According to Hustle, will reveal more on the project’s staking features, as well as plans for its first initial game offering (IGO) for TTOO holders.

• Spike: One of the projects that Web3 content creator Spike featured this previous weekend is Battle For Giostone (BFG). Basically, BFG is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game currently building on the Avalanche network. “If you are a fan of DOTA and LoL you need to check it out!” Spike tweeted.

• Stache: “Secret agent” Stache’s latest YouTube entry explored an NFT-enabled virtual reality (VR) metaverse called RFox Vault. For the “special mission,” Stache utilized an oculus to venture into the virtual world project. Additionally, Stache and fellow “agents” also tested a horror VR project on RFox called Fear.