9 January 2026 | Weekly news roundup

Mythical's new Pulse platform, Boomland shuts and no more SLP rewards.[0:29] BoomLand has announced it's shutting down. [2:35] It never raised much money but it was always very good at building product.[6:50] It's another example of how hard it is to operate in the blockchain game sector. [7:48] But its game Hunters On Chain will remain live during 2026. [11:18] Due to botting, SLP is no longer a token players can earn in Axie Infinity: Origins.[14:58] This reminds us that extractive value always has been balanced by similar input costs.[20:37] Mythical Games is one of the most credible mass market blockchain game companies.[21:34] It's launching a new stablecoin-based market called Pulse Market. [22:36] Paid tournament Pulse Arena platform is also live for the Pudgy Party game.[24:02] One tournament example is paying $3 entry for the chance to win $90, all in PENGU token.[25:58] The only thing that's onchain is the fee payment system and the reward payouts.[30:53] It's difficult to balance blockchain benefits and easy UX, which is what Mythical is trying to do.

Key trends for blockchain games in 2026? Stablecoins, AI agents, FIFA Rivals, AppTokens. [1:17] You need to know what doesn't work before you can find out what does work.[3:18] We thought the value of a blockchain game would be reflected in its token price. It's not.[7:25] In 2025, we saw projects become more focused on who their specific audience is.[9:20] One of the small successes in 2025 was risk-to-earn games for degen gamers.[11:43] But mass market blockchain games are increasingly hiding their crypto elements.[14:58] Blockchain gaming as revolution has failed. Blockchain games as evolution may not.[15:28] Mythical Games is moving to a new stablecoin-based marketplace.[18:15] The success of its FIFA Rivals game in a World Cup year will be interesting to see.[20:00] Stablecoins will continue to become more significant in gaming and fintech in 2026.[24:00] Crypto tokens will kill your game fastest than they can make your game work.[26:20] Cross-chain infrastructure is now much better, which enables better UX.[28:01] AppTokens remain interesting but are difficult for developers to [31:58] AI agents were predicted to be a big trend in 2025 but they weren't.[35:54] AI agents are symbiotic with blockchain. Games could be the first test case.[39:17] AI agents have the potential to fix many of blockchain gaming's problems in 2026.[42:30] Gaming's biggest challenge at present is cost of marketing for web2 and web3.[46:50] Blockchain games are the best positioned part of gaming to take advantage of AI.

[1:58] 2025 was the end of play-to-earn cycle which started in 2021 with Axie Infinity.[3:10] However, crypto had a great year in terms of Tradfi adoption; ETFs, stablecoins, DATs etc.[7:50] Why have crypto incentives not worked for blockchain games?[11:00] Adding real-world value has overwhelmed the other reasons why people play games.[14:30] The killer feature of blockchain games shouldn't be making money but assets having value. [17:40] Tokens are dead; at least tokens that are available for trading on centralized [24:58] Do stablecoins eat all other forms of payment including in games?[26:01] Mythical Games is launching a new USDC-based NFT marketplace in 2026.[33:03] Funding for games in general and blockchain games in particular has been [36:53] In 2025, blockchain game funding was $350 million, $1 billion in 2024, $1.7 billion in 2023.[41:03] Pixels and its forthcoing Stacked rewards app is going for a mass audience.[44:44] YGG gave up on mass market guilds and is making Casual Degen games for crypto people. [49:11] (An aside - the rise of prediction markets.) [55:06] Another trend is large games like MapleStory and EVE Frontier building an ecosystem.[1:03:00] The Sandbox is launching its new community memecoin Corners platforms.[1:04:45] An example of the sector's change in 2025 is Mighty Bear Games rebranding to Wearemighty. [1:09:25] Immutable also had a significant change of focus from games to marketing in 2025.[1:13:15] The products that die in 2026 will be the ones with exactly the same strategy as 2025.

The Sandbox's new Corners platform, MocaProof, Soccerverse's FIFPRO license and BGA 2025 report.[0:37] The Sandbox launched its Corners UGC content-memecoin platform into invite-only beta.[3:00] It's an attempt to inject some dynamism into the SAND token aside from The Sandbox. [4:28] Corners lets user collate and curate weblinks on specific content topics.[6:33] Users can then buy each Corner's memecoin, spending it to upvote links.[7:24] Users are rewarded for their activity with SAND.[9:00] It's easy to criticise such projects but it's about trying new things around simple UGC.[13:00] The wider question is what does The Sandbox brand brings to this cultural launchpad?[21:25] Moca Network launched its ID and reputation system MocaProof.[22:10] It uses zero-knowledge proofs to preserve users privacy while proving your credentials. [23:44] This is gamified with a Mocat pet that you level up by verifying your actions.[27:25] Blockchain Game Alliance released its report for 2025.[30:00] Representation in MENA region (mainly the Gulf) had grown from 1% in 2021 to 20% in 2025. [32:00] 66% of people were extremely or somewhat optimistic for 2026.[35:17] 46% thought AI would be game-changing for blockchain gaming.[38:08] Spider Tanks launched on PC and mobile with Immutable. [41:14] EVE Frontier Cycle 4 is live with new manual ship controls.[43:48] Soccerverse signed a license with Fifpro to get access to 65,000 football players.

The Sandbox's new Corners platform, MocaProof, Soccerverse's FIFPRO license and BGA 2025 report.[0:37] The Sandbox launched its Corners UGC content-memecoin platform into invite-only beta.[3:00] It's an attempt to inject some dynamism into the SAND token aside from The Sandbox. [4:28] Corners lets user collate and curate weblinks on specific content topics.[6:33] Users can then buy each Corner's memecoin, spending it to upvote links.[7:24] Users are rewarded for their activity with SAND.[9:00] It's easy to criticise such projects but it's about trying new things around simple UGC.[13:00] The wider question is what does The Sandbox brand brings to this cultural launchpad?[21:25] Moca Network launched its ID and reputation system MocaProof.[22:10] It uses zero-knowledge proofs to preserve users privacy while proving your credentials. [23:44] This is gamified with a Mocat pet that you level up by verifying your actions.[27:25] Blockchain Game Alliance released its report for 2025.[30:00] Representation in MENA region (mainly the Gulf) had grown from 1% in 2021 to 20% in 2025. [32:00] 66% of people were extremely or somewhat optimistic for 2026.[35:17] 46% thought AI would be game-changing for blockchain gaming.[38:08] Spider Tanks launched on PC and mobile with Immutable. [41:14] EVE Frontier Cycle 4 is live with new manual ship controls.[43:48] Soccerverse signed a license with Fifpro to get access to 65,000 football players.

Sony's stablecoin plans, Fableborne Season 4, EVE Frontier's free week, and Footium's $600,000 funding. [0:32] Sony looks like it's going to be launching a stablecoin in the US.[1:09] It's an extension of the trend that's seen PayPal, Stripe and Klarna also announcing stablecoins.[2:00] Sony has set up a US bank, which is applying for a federal license, required for stablecoins. [4:44] One key reason is companies pay up to 2% of transactions as fees to Visa and Mastercard. [6:30] Sony could save up to $20 million for each $1 billion of spending it moves to its stablecoin.[8:55] Do other gaming platforms such as Steam start adopting stablecoins too?[10:43] Mobile RPG Fableborne has launched its Season 4, including guilds for the first time.[13:07] It's one of the last of a long line of play-to-earn games. Interesting to see how it goes.[14:43] Fableborne is on Ronin, which now has a bunch of live and liveish games.[15:35] Also on Ronin, Craft World has a new collab with Fishing [20:26] Immutable has launched an new AI-based marketing platform. [21:16] New mobile/PC action-RPG Myths will launch in 2026, using the Mythical Market for NFTs. [28:00] EVE Frontier is free for everyone until Tuesday 9th December; the end of Cycle 3.[34:44] UK studio Footium has raised $600,000 for its own-IP soccer management game.[36:25] Trying to create your own brands for clubs and players in a sports game is a hard sell.

Xociety and Arise release their first public playables, MapleStory burns $1.7 million tokens and we talk generative AI. [0:30] Ndus has raised $1.6 million for its pop extractor shooter Xociety, which hits also early access. [10:00] Cross The Ages has launched its PC RPG Arise into open alpha. [18:54] "It's like juggling an elephant and a crocodile. If it works, absolutely amazing."[21:36] Nexpace will burn $1.7 million NXPC in the first of its planned quarterly token burns.[27:32] Hytopia has had 1 million downloads on Google Play store.[29:47] JC Kim was on the podcast talking about genAI game-making platform Verse8.[37:10] Should games be hand-built like luxury shoes or watches? Rant over.

Jon Jordan talk to Verse8 creator JC Kim about the genAI game-making platform, which is now live for professionals and noobs. [3:15] How JC Kim first met Delabs' co-CEO James Joonmo Kwon as a mentor.[6:05] Why JC Kim started work on a generative AI game-making tool, which became Verse8.[7:20] Verse8 includes coding, 2D image generation, background music and 3D model generation.[8:10] The game sector's biggest issue is production costs. GenAI reduces this by 90%.[10:06] This means developers can try more ideas and be more [10:20] This is particularly important for web3 developers who want to rewards players with tokens. [11:56] Using AI, anyone can make mini-games and apps around an IP, which enables real community.[15:53] One element of Verse8 is the ability for users to recast or "spin" existing games.[19:15] Verse8 can generate a complete multiplayer game for around $10-$20. [21:50] Verse8 can suppport both professional game devs and inexperienced users (kids!).[28:35] Creators can also choose to launch tokens, effectively memecoins.[31:45] Delabs Games is already using Verse8 to develop new titles.

MapleStory Universe get $50M ecosystem fund, Legend of Ymir custom servers expanded, Stan extends Series A and we talk Hyptopia and Moku's Grand Arena.[0:40] Nexpace has announced a $50 million ecosystem fund for MapleStory Universe.[3:48] As a reminder Nexon funded Nexpace two years ago with $100 million of funding. [4:17] Technically the fund is "up to $50 million" - likely mainly NXPC tokens and work-in-kind etc.[6:56] MapleStory N is the core, but the fund is to encourage third party games and app around it.[8:55] This is a trend for many fully onchain games such as Soccerverse and EVE Frontier.[12:10] There's also a deeper trend with stablecoins becoming payment rails for Tradfi.[14:03] Our Mavens discussed the balance of financials and fun for blockchain games.[17:22] Wemade has expanded the custom server business for its Legend of Ymir MMORPG.[18:00] It originally auctioned 10 servers for +$20,000 each. You can earn 15% of in-game [21:37] Indian social gaming app Stan extended its Series A funding to $10.5 million.[23:08] One likely reason is India banned real money games so apps like Stan are now an alternative.[26:29] Jon had Maxwell from Hytopia on the podcast this week. [29:12] The platform is now live with its HYBUX token also live on Base.[30:16] Maxwell says "Crypto is cool but fun is #1".[33:13] Moku has launched the 4 week preseason for its Grand Arena game.

Maxwell Holmes from Roblox-on-blockchain UGC platform Hytopia thinks "Crypto is cool but fun is number 1"[2:30] "I like it when the house is on fire and tomorrow is unknown. I need the craziness."[05:08] "People see we have been consistent through the changes. We don't play the hype game."[09:36] "We're trying to use crypto to empower gamers." That continues to be the [12:46] Comparing Hytopia to Minecraft and/or Roblox in terms of its base functionality.[15:43] Gaming used to be about fidelity and polish. Now it's about social, virality and memes. [16:54] "The user is the most knowledgable about the product they want." That's the power of UGC.[18:07] "Attracting creators is Hytopia's top priority now."[19:30] Hytopia uses Typescript/Javascript, which is the easiest way to make games. [20:56] Our app (mobile/desktop) is basically the website wrapped into the app.[22:57] Anytime you target web3 gamers, you're going to fail. There aren't enough of [23:40] Crypto is cool but fun is number 1. If the games aren't fun, you will [25:44] Why does Hytopia have blockchain? It has to enhance the user [27:40] In future, investors will be able to fund new games in Hytopia and get a [29:15] Hytopia is currently doing 19,000 DAUs and 100,000 WAUs, and growing from organic users.[31:42] At launch, the marketplace will give 85% to creators with 15% used for token buybacks.[33:55] The marketplace uses both fiat and HYBUX but using HYBUX incentivized.