Weekly GameFi Update (Week 22, 03/06/2022 – 09/06/2022)

Cronos launches Cronos Accelerator Program. Epic Games lists their first blockchain game. Illuvium sells US$72M worth of virtual land.

Key Takeaways

• On Tuesday, Cronos launched the Cronos Accelerator Program for DeFi and GameFi startups, funded by the US$100M Cronos Labs Ecosystem Fund. Developers can apply for the 10-week startup program and receive investments of $100,000 to $300,000, including additional funds for audits, node services, and gas fees.
• In a big step toward bringing GameFi to the masses, Epic Games is listing their first blockchain game named Grit—a wild west-based Battle Royale—and will be accessible to 194 million users.
• Despite the ongoing bear market, Ethereum-based NFT RPG Illuvium has managed to sell almost 20,000 digital land plots worth over US$72M, in a sale that ended on Sunday. The game is set to launch later this year. 
• The total market cap for GameFi tokens now stands at US$9.41 billion, down -5.28% from last week.

Highlights

• The Red Village announces US$6.5M seed round led by Animoca Brands and GameFi Ventures Fund
• NYX Cosmetics will launch Sandbox NFT avatars
• STEPN’s new anti-cheat is flagging users as bots
• Jadu raises US$36M to bolster development of AR NFT game
• Alien Samurai Dino Warriors take arcade gaming to The Sandbox
• The NFL is launching the league’s first ever blockchain video game
• Animoca Brands reveals US$1.5B crypto and blockchain gaming AUM
• Tommy Hilfiger unveils immersive community space on Roblox
• Budweiser’s Clydesdales zoom into Ethereum NFT racing game Zed Run
• Animoca acquires Notre Game with plans to develop ‘Scratch Lords’
• Solana Ventures sets up US$100M fund for GameFi and DeFi in South Korea
• ‘Father’ of the metaverse Neal Stephenson launching metaverse blockchain
• The Thunderbirds take international rescue to the metaverse
• Meta accelerates metaverse strategy with the launch of Crayta on Facebook Gaming
• Givenchy joins the metaverse craze with a beauty house on Roblox

Game Updates

• Big Town Chef’s genesis NFTs are live and free to mint
• Illuvium is developing a ‘flee’ mechanic
• Torum introduces clans
• Scramble launches PvP

Top Gainers and Losers

Top Games Metrics

Top 15 Largest Tokens by Market Cap

Daily Gamers by Blockchain