Today’s Web3 digest features the latest in blockchain gaming, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the metaverse.

Top brands that made noise today include Amazon, Brazilian Carnival, Intel, Lamborghini, Paramount, Nickelodeon, Nvidia, Roblox, Square Enix. They are joined by Jill Magid, Neowiz, SpongeBob SquarePants, Square Enix, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Triple S.

Meanwhile, Web3-focused projects continue to bring action to the space. Entities that headlined today include Blur, Caldera, EDDAVerse, Gamefam, Massive Gaming, Polygon, Prevu3D, and VeVe, among others.

Last but not least, Web3 games are pumping energy into the nascent space. Titles that deserve the spotlight include Chronos: Dawn of Time, Decentraland, ExoWorlds, Galaxy Fight Club, Gunfire AVAX, MetaOps, Rune Seeker, Shrapnel, Symbiogenesis, and Upland.

Here are the stories that shape Web3.

Top Stories

• Square Enix/Symbiogenesis: Japanese video game giant Square Enix has partnered with Polygon blockchain. The collaboration will launch a collectible NFT art project called Symbiogenesis. Set in a virtual floating continent, the project allows players to own digital characters that they can use to unravel stories and complete quests. Essentially, the collaboration will enable Square Enix to leverage Polygon’s fast, cheap, and user-friendly platform for Web3 gamers (VB).

• Lamborghini/VeVe: NFT marketplace VeVe has partnered with Italian luxury car brand Lamborghini to launch digital collectibles of the company’s iconic sports cars. The collection will be available on the platform starting on February 19. Included in the release is the Huracán STO model. Owners can showcase their car NFTs via the VeVe app’s virtual showrooms. Additionally, they can also use augmented reality (AR) to test the virtual car (CD).

• TripleS: TripleS, a “decentralized” K-pop idol group, has released its latest album on the Polygon network. The 24-member girl crew utilized NFTs for governance voting, allowing fans to contribute in certain creative decision-making processes. Holders of the currency $COMO were able to participate in naming the title track for TripleS’ new album “ASSEMBLE”’ (BW).

• Amazon/Superplastic:  E-commerce giant Amazon’s venture capital arm Alexa Fund initiated a $20 million funding round for 3D character studio Superplastic. The company has raised $58 million from Animoca Brands, Google Ventures, and Sony Japan, among others. Furthermore, Amazon Studios has started producing a show based on Janky and Guggimon (Superplastic characters who have their own NFT releases) (DC).

• Gamefam/Paramount/Roblox: Web3 game developer Gamefam has teamed up with entertainment and mass media conglomerate Paramount to produce metaverse experiences. The projects will feature Nickleodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on game creation system Roblox (NFTE).

Web3 Games

• MetaOps: Tactical first-person shooter (FPS) game MetaOps has introduced a new weapon to its armory. Dubbed the “SS-AR,” the uzi-inspired submachine gun is designed to maximize precision, speed, and power. Players can obtain the weapon during the Scarlet Summit Set drop on February 25 via Avalanche-based NFT marketplace Joepegs (TW).

• ExoWorlds: The makers of Web3 metaverse game ExoWorlds has revealed that it is currently developing its massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) project “ExoWorlds: The Verified Galaxy.” The VeChain-powered sci-fi title will allow players to explore interstellar space, battle opponents, and build empires, among others (YF).

• Gunfire AVAX: Gunfire AVAX recently kicked off the 44th installment of its Endless Tournament. Running from February 14-21, is giving away a prize pool of 25 $AVAX, with additional rewards based on revenue. Moreover, the team will also distribute 20,600 $GOLD to the top competitors (TW).

• Galaxy Fight Club: Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game Galaxy Fight Club (GFC) is holding its Cross-IP Championship from February 20-26. The event will give away $200,000 in prizes. In addition, GFC will also host a Wildcard Tournament on the 19th of January. Titles included in the competition include BYOPills, Goons of Balatroon, Pudgy Penguins, Rumble Kong League, and VaynerSports, to name a few (TW).

• Rune Seekers: Avalanche-powered fantasy adventure game Rune Seeker has announced a partnership with “learn-to-earn” and affiliate marketing platform Islander. The project will leverage the blockchain-focused entity’s “growth hacking tools” to help build a community on the ecosystem. “Not only is their team incredibly engaging and entertaining, but they also boast a large and vibrant community,” the Rune Seeker team said in a tweet (TW).

NFT News

• NFEX: Decentralized derivatives exchange NFEX has raised $3 million in a seed round led by ABCDE Capital. Other investors that supported the project include Amber Group and Firestone Ventures, among others. The team plans to launch the platform to the public sometime soon. In an earlier interview, ABCDE Capital co-founder BMAN stated that “NFEx’s vision is to build the liquidity center for the NFT industry” (BTC).

• Blur: NFT marketplace Blur’s native token $BLUR recorded over $500 million in trading volume less than 24 hours after its much-awaited airdrop. Over 33,000 unique wallets were holding the tokens as of Wednesday morning. Additionally, available Web3 data revealed that $530 million worth of $BLUR tokens have been traded on exchanges such as KuCoin, OKX, and UniSwap (CD).

• Jill Magid: On Valentine’s Day, conceptual artist, writer, and filmmaker Jill Magid launched an NFT collection of bouquets. Titled “Out-Game Flowers,” the digital collectible project features flowers snipped from classic video games such as Final Fantasy, Legend of Zelda, and World of Warcraft, among others. NFT collectors were able to obtain the digital artworks at prices ranging from $325 to $10,000 (AN).

Into the Metaverse

• Prevu3D: 3D digital twin tech company Prevu3D has secured $10 million in a Series A funding round with backing from Cycle Capital, Brightspark Ventures and Desjardins Capital. The company plans to utilize the funds to speed up the development of its technology for industrial environments. In essence, Prevu3D enables corporations to create digital twins of their work spaces to improve remote operations (NFTG). 

• Upland/Decentraland: World-renowned festival the Brazilian Carnival has teamed up with metaverse platforms Decentraland and Upland. Taking place between February 17 and 25, the Carnival will also offer virtual world experiences. Essentially, people will get to watch through the metaverse, highlights of the festivities in venues such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Salvador (NFTNT).

• Nvidia/Intel: Graphics card company Nvidia and chip manufacturer Intel have formed a partnership to develop metaverse workstations. The collaboration will leverage Nvidia’s expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics processing units (GPU), along with Intel’s extensive knowledge in producing microprocessors. NVIDIA’s Professional Visualization business unit VP Bob Pette said that the pairing will enable professionals to “take on the most complex workflows across all industries” (VB).

Around the Blockchain

• EDDAVerse/Hollywood: EDDAVerse, a Web3 enabler for brands, IPs, and celebrities, is currently in talks with Hollywood stars to produce a film. Touted as the first-ever Web3 movie, the project will be based on EDDAVerse IP’s. Company founder and CEO Mehul Patel said they have approached “some big names” who could portray some of EDDAVerse’s blockchain-based characters (AB).

• Caldera: Web3 app infrastructure provider Caldera has secured $9 million from two funding rounds led by Sequoia Capital and Dragonfly. The company will use the funds to expand its workforce, as well as establish partnerships and integrations. In an interview, Caldera co-founder Matt Katz said that the firm’s goal is to be an “all-in-one solution” for developers building their applications (TC).

• Massive Gaming: South Korean online game publisher Neowiz’ foreign subsidiary Massive Gaming is launching three social casino games on the blockchain. Titles that the company will release are House of Slots, House of Poker and House of Blackjack. According to reports, the games will employ play-to-earn (P2E) elements with a more stable structure (CN).

Web3 Content Creators

• Brycent: Brycent recently featured Dr JPEG, the founder of blockchain game platform Non Fungible Arcade. The live Twitch chat touched on the challenges that Dr JPEG experienced in building the project and growing the community. Additionally, the Web3 influencers also talked about some future mints and projects.

• Cagy: Cagy has announced on his YouTube channel CagyJan a new NFT airdrop for the Polygon-based RPG title Chronos: Dawn of Time. The promo is one of the latest offerings from Cagy’s Web3 gaming organization the Juice Team. Basically, holders of the Juice community’s founder key NFTs are eligible to receive five NFTs that they can use to play Chronos and other compatible games.

• Hustle: Hustle will be hosting a “mega-space” session with some of the “sharpest Web3 gaming minds” in the industry. The discussions will center on blockchain game marketing. In addition, the talks will also touch on the recent DigiDaigaku Super Bowl ad that cost Web3 game developer Limit Break $6.5 million. for the airing

• Spike: Avalanche-based AAA shooter game Shrapnel is hosting a Twitter Spaces on February 16 (8AM PST / 11AM EST). The episode will feature guests Web3 content creator Spike, along with projects Apeiron, Degenheim, and Non Fungible Arcade.

• Stache: Stache recently featured decentralized NFT storage platform Pinata Cloud on his YouTube channel. The crypto ‘secret agent’ explained how creators and collectors can utilize Pinata’s tools to store files across a network of computers. Additionally, the platform also allows users to manage their files privately and securely.