Welcome to P2E Analytics’ daily Web3 digest where we highlight blockchain gaming, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the metaverse.
Here are the stories that shape Web3.
Top Stories
- Unity: Cross-platform game engine Unity has introduced Web3 tools and protocols for developers. The feature can be found in the Asset Store and falls under the “decentralization” category page. Essentially, 13 verified solutions were provided by various blockchain entities. This includes Aikon, Algorand, Aptos Labs, Dapper Labs, Infuria, and MetaMask, as well as Immutable X, Solana, and Tezos, among others (BW).
- Avalon Corp: Web3 gaming company Avalon Corp has secured $13 million in a fundraising round led by BitKraft Ventures. Other investors include Coinbase Ventures, Twitch cofounder Kevin Lin and former Microsoft exec Charlie Songhurst, among others. The firm will use the capital to build ‘Avalon,’ an interoperable game platform with metaverse and blockchain elements. Avalon is composed of industry veterans with previous experiences in companies such as Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and Sony (DC).
- Coffeezilla/Khabib Nurmagomedov: Internet detective and whistleblower Coffeezilla is accusing UFC lightweight legend Khabib Nurmagomedov of promoting NFT scams. Apparently, the former champ launched a digital collectible project that serves as a pass to his private club, and will mine $BTC for its holders. Coffeezilla blasted the undefeated MMA fighter, challenging him to return to the cage instead of “scamming” fans (CP).
- Meta Platforms: Social media giant Meta Platform’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has revealed plans to create a new “top-level product group” to focus on generative artificial intelligence (AI). Basically, the company aims to use the technology to develop “delightful experiences” for Meta’s products (BI).
- Orange Comet: NFT entertainment company Orange Comet has secured $7.24 million through the sale of equity options. The firm is behind digital collectible projects featuring renowned figures such as Hollywood icon Anthony Hopkins and Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen. Also on Orange Comet’s portfolio are AMC’s The Walking Dead and Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire (DC).
Web3 Games
- Kuroro Beasts: Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Kuroro Beasts recently took to Twitter to applaud their team’s efforts. “Huge shoutout to our Devs & Artists who continue to break barriers for @kurorobeast, the artwork & gameplay is looking incredible” the Trudan Studios-built project tweeted. Moreover, the team also shared a sneak preview of Kuroro Islands, an “exciting place” that’s ripe for exploration (TW).
- ExoWorlds: VeChain-powered Web3 game ExoWorlds has announced a NonFungiBulls NFT giveaway. Participants are required to post an ‘astronaut’ or a ‘bull’ emoji comment for a chance to win a piece of the digital collectible. NonFungiBulls consists of 1,450 NFTs that “represent every major VeChain project” (TW).
- The Beacon/Smolverse: Rogue-like fantasy adventure title The Beacon teased a collaborative event with Treasure DAO-created casual game Smolverse. Set to kick off on March 13, the project will bring “amazing challenges” and prizes to winning contestants. “Mark your calendars for March 13th! @smolverse and @The_Beacon_GG come together for an incredible event!” The Beacon announced on Twitter (TW).
- Undead Blocks: Zombie-themed survival shooter game Undead Blocks has announced the launch of its daily earnings protocol. The project’s introduction of play-to-earn (P2E) features allows gamers to “grind for loot coffins” in multiplayer mode. Furthermore, players can also utilize their Genesis or Apocalypse Weapon NFTs to earn Gold ZBUX (TW).
- Imperium Empires: Avalanche-powered AAA space strategy game Imperium Empires’ Apollo Season 4 is drawing closer to its end. Concluding on March 6, the 4th installment of mining game Apollo will give away $3,000 in rewards to winning participants. A maintenance period will take place shortly before Season 5 commences (TW).
NFT News
- OWND: Danish startup OWND has raised $750,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by VC firms byFounders and Skyfall Ventures. OWND founders Anker Bach Ryhl and Mads Lunau Liechti will use the capital to launch its curated fashion NFT platform. “There’s a huge potential in fashion where NFTs will have cultural significance and become core parts of people’s digital and social identities,” byFounders VC Casper Bjarnason stated (AS).
- Wakweli: Swiss NFT certification platform Wakweli has secured $1.1 million in a pirate funding round. The fundraise will enable the firm to launch products designed to verify the authenticity of Web3-based digital assets and tokenized items. In essence, this feature will cater to NFT artists, collectors, traders, and commissioners (UT).
- Asia Broadband: Resource company Asia Broadband Inc. has started minting for its Golden Baboons Mining Club (GBMC) NFT collection. Essentially, GBMC is composed of 8,888 physical gold-backed NFTs. Registrants were allowed to obtain a maximum of 10 digital collectibles per wallet. The firm is also holding an extended whitelist registration phase to accommodate those who missed the first one (GNW).
Into the Metaverse
- Gamium: Metaverse platform Gamium’s token $GMM recently saw a 340% surge in value. The move is attributed to Gamium’s partnership announcement involving social media giant Meta Platforms and telecommunications company Telefonica. To date, $GMM is trading at $0.0025, with a $28,976,626 market cap, and a $66,553,930 24-hour volume (per CoinMarketCap) (CD).
- DiveVerse/Matrix Genesis Labs: Matrix Genesis Labs, a “metaverse advanced technology research organization,” has introduced its ‘DiveVerse’ technology. The latest offering utilizes AI to convert 2D images into 3D, allowing users to experience them in the virtual world. As part of the technical evaluation in the beta phase, the team is releasing a short version of sci-fi classic “Metropolis” on Matrix’ metaverse platform DOKODEMO Door (BW).
- OnePiece Labs/Upland:Web3 startup incubator OnePiece Labs has revealed its metaverse plans with virtual world platform and partner Upland. Starting on March 7, the entities will start with an incubation program that aims to provide mentorship and resources to aid in building, launching, and scaling in the metaverse. Additionally, the initiative will enable Upland to add more interactive features such as virtual galleries and events, among others (FF).
Around the Blockchain
- Goldman Sachs: Investment banking company Goldman Sachs’ managing director Matthew McDermott expressed the firm’s support for blockchain technology. The financial services giant recently launched its blockchain tokenization platform GS DAP, which offers faster transaction. In addition, Goldman is also hiring more Web3 experts, despite laying off 3,200 employees in January (CS).
- Blockchain Fest Singapore: The Blockchain Fest Singapore 2023 proved to be a success last month after drawing 4,800 attendees from February 16-17. The two-day conference, which took place at the Marina Bay Sands hotel, featured panel discussions and speeches covering a host of Web3-related topics. Additionally, the event also featured networking sessions, lucky draws, and live performances, among others (CT).
- Provenance Blockchain Foundation: Financial services-focused protocol Provenance Blockchain’s administrator has launched a $50 million grant program. The Provenance Blockchain Foundation’s “Provenance Blockchain Grant Program” aims to support Web3 developers in the financial sector. “This is a win for developers who are passionate about meaningfully improving financial services and for the broader Provenance Blockchain ecosystem.” stated Provenance Blockchain Foundation head of developer ecosystem Joshua Maddox (AW).
Web3 Content Creators
- Brycent: Web3 gaming streamer Brycent has appeared on YouTuber and Spaces host Cade Bergmann’s YouTube channel. The Gam3rs’ Choice Awards’ Content Creator of the Year winner discussed topics including content creation’s impact to the space. In addition, Brycent also touched on Web3 games, the concept of P2E, and NFTs, among others.
- Hustle: Hustle’s NFT gaming collective This Thing Of Ours (TTOO) has amassed digital assets from Avalanche-based AAA shooter game Shrapnel. In a recent announcement, TTOO revealed that they have added 15 “Operator” NFTs to their armory. The acquisition is part of the group’s efforts to bolster capabilities, particularly for future Shrapnel battles and other engagements.
- Spike: Web3 gaming content creator Spike recently highlighted a new project called Realm Hunter. “I can’t believe this is a Web3 game. It looks utterly amazing!” the esports player tweeted. Moreover, the Seedify-incubated game is a “quest-based, semi-open world” RPG that draws inspiration from renowned titles such as Pokemon and Genshin Impact.
