Axie Infinity tweaked its rewards and lost 45% DAUWs, MapleStory N has banned 640,000 bots, and Forkast moved to Arbitrum. [0:35] Axie Infinity's DAUWs have dropped 45% following to a change in its AXS reward system.[3:10] In April 2024, it launched its first Bounty Board, which more than doubled its audience. [4:45] There were further giveaways, which further boosted DAUWs to more than 100,000.[6:29] Now, the rewards system has been streamlined, with a paid battle pass added.[8:34] Over time, these reward systems become increasing complex to understand.[10:06] Not directly related but the AXS token is down from $7 to $1 since April 2024.[15:00] The good news is web3 games are now more focused on profit and sustainability.[17:54] Nexpace has banned 640,000 accounts from MapleStory N for botting and macros. [21:20] It's also forced 28,000 KYCed accounts to be reregistered. Only 155 succeeded. [25:10] The Forkast prediction market has moved from Ronin to Arbritrum. [32:55] Jon is enjoying playing EVE Frontier but likely won't be part of its Winter PVP tournament.
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7 November 2025 | Weekly news roundup
Animoca's Nasdaq listing plan, Spider Tanks reborn, Moonfrost goes web2 and IMX is fully liquid. [0:24] Animoca Brands has announced a reverse merger to get a Nasdaq listing. [4:25] It's started the process to merge with tiny Nasdaq listed company Currenc.[6:03] Currenc shareholders will get 5% of the new company. Animoca's 95%.[7:58] There's no official valuation for Animoca, but it's likely somewhere between $3-4 billion.[11:30] But the entire process will take 9-12 months, so Animoca won't be listed until late 2026.[14:16] Moonfrost has gone pure web2 but is also launching web3 degen platform Frost Arcade.[22:30] Immutable's IMX is the first major gaming token to become 100% circulating.[25:18] The Sandbox has committed to be majority UGC-focused in 2026.[30:45] Spider Tanks is being rebooted on Immutable, with early access from 8th December.
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202 | Can Pixels finally make play-to-earn work?
Jon talks to Pixels CEO Luke Barwikowski about how he still believes play-to-earn rewards are a viable marketing mechanic. [2:09] 'This is probably the worst market sentiment I've seen in the space.'[5:40] 'Without speculation, you have to build something that's fundamentally sound. That's hard.'[7:50] 'In early 2024, Pixels was loved. People were making money. But we weren't making money.'[8:39] '1% of our players were taking 50% of the rewards.'[9:51] After recent changes, Pixels has generated a Return On Reward Spend greater than 1.[12:25] 'I think over time, Play-to-Earn becomes more of a loyalty or a cash-back system.'[14:00] 'We've noticed crypto is very off-putting for normal users. Robux or V-Bucks are more [20:45] The spend-only vPIXEL token has been surprisingly effective when used correctly.[23:45] Pixels Chapter 3 introduces Unions, which are factions for competitive gameplay.[27:13] 'The issue with web3 gaming isn't fidelity, it's figuring out the economics.'[27:53] 'We did $20 million in revenue in 2024. 2025 will be less but it's more sustainable.'[29:41] Why Pixels has launched new social tamagotchi app Chubkins. (Currently only US.)[30:05] 'We're not going to emphasis crypto, but we will emphasis rewards, including crypto cash-out.'[33:50] Pixels also plans to launch a standalone rewards app in 2026.
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31 October 2025 | Weekly news roundup
Wemade launched Legend of Ymir, Mythical integrated World Chain, Pixels launched Chapter 3 and Yuga's Otherside goes live on 12th November. [0:30] Wemade has launched its latest web3-enabled MMORPG Legend of Ymir on PC and mobile.[2:10] Wemade previously tried to add blockchain to casual mobile games. It didn't work.[3:24] Legend of Ymir is the result of Wemade's experience over its previous web3 games.[4:50] Ten game servers have been auctioned to be run by guilds etc.[5:50] It's more combat-focused than Night Crows, but still with a lot of idle gameplay.[8:09] Wemade as become more nuaunced in how it's combining web2 and web3 elements.[10:07] Cambria has raised $2 million from Bitkraft, Sky Mavis and various angels.[16:03] The Mythos blockchain is integrating World via the launch of an L3 on World Chain.[19:38] One advantage is this gives the Polkadot parachain EVM compatibility for the first time.[23:34] Yuga Labs' Otherside will finally go live on 12th November with the Koda Nexus hub.[31:13] Pixels has launched Chapter 3 including an new lightweight social competition layer.
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24 October 2025 | Weekly news roundup
Jon's been asking What's Working For Web3 Gaming? at Zebu Live conference. [0:27] It's been London Blockchain Week and Jon has been at Zebu Live 2025.[2:06] He moderated a panel about What's Working In Web3 Gaming?[4:08] Panellists including Koko from Mighty Bear Games and Russell from Metacade.[5:58] We've moved from blockchain games to crypto games, with the emphasis on "crypto gainz".[7:00] ICP-based MMORPG Dragginz has gone into "hiberation".[12:30] YGG Play's LOL Land has now done $5.5 million in revenue. [12:59] The key issue for most blockchain game companies is doing what you need to make money. [14:10] The comparison is EVE Frontier, MapleStory Universe etc - big onchain gaming ecosystems.[16:51] Wildcard has launched into early access on Steam: it's a web2 game with a web3 ecosystem.[22:56] Jon's been enjoying playing RavenIdle.
France