The week ends with a bang in Web3 with blockchain games, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the metaverse, headlining the space.

Here are the stories that shape Web3.

Top Stories

• Starbucks: Coffee chain Starbucks has launched a limited edition NFT collection via its Starbucks Odyssey rewards program. Dubbed the ‘Siren Collection,’ the project consists of 2,000 digital collectibles that beta users can avail for $100 each. Every piece of artwork draws inspiration from the company’s mermaid logo, which will feature five different expressions (DC).

• Avalanche/DEFYCA: Digital securities platform DEFYCA’s will soon launch a protocol on the Avalanche blockchain. The project aims to open access to the $1.6T (per FinTech company Broadridge) private debt market on-chain through the tokenization of traditional debt securities & loan portfolios. In essence, Avalanche will operate as DEFYCA’s treasury chain, providing users with access to liquidity (TW).

• Palm/Pussy Riot: NFT ecosystem Palm network has partnered with Nadya Tolokonnikova of feminist protest and performance art group Pussy Riot. As part of the team-up, the Russian conceptual artist will hold an ‘Activist Master Class’ in May, through the Palm Academy. Furthermore, Tolokonnikova will also curate a feminist art contest with Palm’s decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) PalmDAO (CD).

• Games for a living: Games for a Living (GFAL), a Web3 gaming studio led by Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, has launched its initial game offering (IGO). For this initiative, GFAL has partnered with Seedify, Enjinstarter, and Bit2Me. In addition, the project will be listed on decentralized exchanges (DEX) such as BitMart, Gate.io, and Pancake Swap. Games for a Living is also the developer behind blockchain gaming titles such as Diamond Dreams and Elemental Raiders, to name a few (YF).

Web3 Games

• THNDR Games: THNDR Games, a Web3 game developer that builds projects on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, is releasing its latest P2E mobile project. Dubbed ‘Bitcoin Blocks,’ the game combines elements from classic titles Tetris and Sudoku. In addition, THNDR Games is also launching a feature called Gaming Graph. The new offering enables users to connect to their profiles on social network Nostr and earn badges for their in-game achievements (CD).

• EgoVersus: Avalanche-built first-person shooter (FPS) game EgoVersus  has announced a free-to-play “cash prize” tournament. The event was organized in conjunction with Web3 gaming-focused NFT marketplace GameTrade.market. Kicking off on the 16th of March, the 4v4 competition will give away $100 to the winning team (TW).

• Paradise Tycoon: Paradise Tycoon, a social building and crafting Web3 game on Avalanche, has introduced its ‘Genesis Chest Furniture Chest’ NFT collection. The project will allow participants to upgrade their Tycoon’s living space using 12 limited edition furniture sets. The collection contains 4-6 pieces of furniture, with various themes and designs (PT).

• Meta Masters Guild: Web3 gaming guild Meta Masters Guild’s native token $MEMAG is slated for listing on centralized exchanges (CEX) BitMart and HitBTC. $MEMAG will be able to trade the digital asset on March 15, along with the introduction of its staking service. As part of the introductory offer, token holders contributing to the staking pools can earn as much as 75% APY (CN).

• KuCoin/Octo: Cryptocurrency exchange KuCoin has entered a strategic partnership with play-to-earn (P2E) gaming platform Octo. As part of the agreement, KuCoin Labs has invested in Octo’s seed round and will provide support via its incubation program. The efforts will also cover the platform’s marketing campaigns and research initiatives, among others (BW).

NFT News

• Animoca Brands: Web3 game publisher and venture capital firm Animoca Brands’ recent Mocaverse NFT minting event raked in a sales volume of $5.5 million worth of Ether ($ETH). Consisting of 8,888 digital collectibles, the membership NFT project’s floor price on secondary marketplace OpenSea is currently at 1.3658 $ETH (around $1,929). Mocaverse NFT holders are granted access to exclusive in-game assets, crypto masterclasses, and an accelerator program, among others (TIA).

• Binance/Polygon: Top crypto exchange Binance’s NFT marketplace recently added support for the Polygon ecosystem. The integration will allow collectors to discover and trade digital collectibles on the Ethereum layer-2 (L2) protocol using their Binance NFT accounts. However, the platform currently lists a limited number of projects due to its vigilant screening process (CP). 

• Audius: Web3 music platform Audius will soon implement a token-gating feature. This will allow artists to release exclusive content for NFT holders, which they can avail by connecting their wallets to the platform. Audius’ main focus is to enable “deeper connections and interactions” between musicians and their followers. Moreover, Audius will allow artists to use other NFT collections (Bored Apes, CryptoPunks) in gating their content (CD).

Into the Metaverse

• South Korea: South Korea is investing 27.7 billion Korean won (US$21 million) to support 13 metaverse projects. Sectors covered by the Web3 entities include education, healthcare, and tourism.  In essence, the initiative aims to utilize the virtual world technology in improving public services. Furthermore, the investment is part of the country’s plans to form a $30 million fund for metaverse startups (FK). 

• KDDI: Japanese telecom operator KDDI recently revealed plans to introduce metaverse services in mid-2023. The company’s latest offerings will include online 3D concerts and virtual apparel shops, among others. “We are going to change the metaverse from a one-time event to regular use,” KDDI deputy manager of business creation Chuman Kazuhiko stated (NHK).

• Charles Keith: Singaporean fashion house Charles Keith has launched its ‘CHARLESKEITHHAUS’ experience on Metaverse platform The Sandbox. The virtual world of Charles Keith is based on the brand’s Spring Summer 2023 campaign ‘State of Play.’ Set for launch on March 13, the metaverse project will introduce in-game quests and on sale digital wearables. Additionally, participants can also enjoy a rooftop performance by virtual K-Pop star Apoki (TW). 

Web3 Content Creators

• Cagy: Web3 gaming YouTuber Cagy recently put the spotlight on Web3 adventure game Pixels Online. Drawing similarities to simulation game Stardew Valley, the project is a massively multiplayer role-playing game (MMORPG) that allows players to socialize, farm, and earn. In his latest YouTube entry, Cagy’s Pixels tutorial dropped almost two hours worth of knowledge on the game.

• Hustle: Crypto Banter host Hustle has announced that his NFT gaming collective This Thing Of Ours’ (TTOO) ‘W3b Scaler’ agency has partnered with StarHeroes. The project is a sci-fi third-person shooter (TPS) game on the Ethereum blockchain. To celebrate the announcement, TTOO will give away one exclusive early whitelist spot for StarHeroes’ mint in April.

• Spike: Web3 content creator Spike has announced a community game night with his influencer marketing agency Waypoint Gaming. For this edition, the team will play the Polygon-based RPG title Chronos: Dawn of Time. In addition, the project has also sponsored the event to give away in-game items to lucky participants. The rewards include two Basic Hammers, two Basic Swords, and one Common Traveler.

• Stache: Crypto gaming expert Stache has released an updated personal list of favorite blockchain titles. In his latest YouTube entry, the “Secret Agent,” ranked his top 25 crypto games according to tiers, with “S” as the highest. Projects that Stache included in his list are Wild Card, Deadrop, Last Expedition, and My Pet Hooligan. Other notable games on the content creator’s chart include Big Time, Champions: Ascension, and Superior, to name a few.