FTX collapse ripple effect continues to date as another casualty happened where a Web3 card game bites the dust. Sam Bankman-Fried’s favorite game Storybook Brawl is shutting down its servers on May 1st. The decision came just after 13 months of its acquisition by FTX. It is yet another addition to the list of casualties. Good Luck Games, the creator of Storybook Brawl, announces on Twitter that the Web3 card game will shut down amid no direction forward. Apparently, the creators tried their best to find a way to keep the game afloat. However, they couldn’t find a way forward and hit a dead end.
Storybook Brawl Shutting Down in Days
“We’ve explored different options, and unfortunately there is no path forward. We’ll be shutting down the servers on May 1st,” the game’s Twitter account wrote Tuesday. “Please enjoy SBB until then, and thanks for all the memories.”
Good Luck Games, the developer behind the popular game Storybook Brawl, may be facing financial troubles. Reports suggest that the studio is in the process of being liquidated due to bankruptcy proceedings. It could force them to shut off the servers and stop supporting the game.
On behalf of everyone on the SBB team, we'd like to thank you for your support. We’ve explored different options, and unfortunately there is no path forward. We’ll be shutting down the servers on May 1st - please enjoy SBB until then, and thanks for all the memories ♥️
— Storybook Brawl (@StorybookBrawl) April 25, 2023
Good Luck Games was acquired by FTX US (also known as West Realm Shires) and fell under the "FTX Gaming" banner. However, in November of last year, Storybook Brawl canceled its world championship event after FTX filed for bankruptcy. It is still unclear how far the studio got in adding Web3 elements to the game.
This news is undoubtedly disappointing for fans of Storybook Brawl. They have come to love the game's unique and engaging gameplay. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the game and its dedicated player base. As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was a Fan of Storybook Brawl
FTX co-founder and former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, was reportedly a fan of the card-battling game and compared it to Activision Blizzard's popular Hearthstone.
After FTX's bankruptcy, Bankman-Fried spoke to The New York Times in November, stating that Storybook Brawl "helps me unwind a bit" and "clears my mind." He further discussed his love for the game in a Twitter Spaces conversation in December, mentioning that he was playing the game just hours before he was arrested in the Bahamas.
Storybook Brawl Success and Player Count Stats
Storybook Brawl, a relatively small indie game, did not achieve significant success during its run. According to SteamCharts data, the game's all-time concurrent player count on the PC gaming platform Steam peaked at 2,770 players in September 2021, which was six months before FTX acquired it.
Unfortunately, the game's total player count declined steadily after the acquisition, which may have been due to the backlash and review-bombing it received following the deal. Many players voiced their frustration online and vowed to uninstall the game immediately after FTX purchased it. Others expressed concerns about the developers exploring "non-cosmetic" ways to integrate NFTs, which may have further impacted the game's player count.
These developments are undoubtedly disappointing for the game's dedicated fanbase, who have enjoyed its unique gameplay and mechanics.
Recent Stats
Recent data indicates that Storybook Brawl's average player count has significantly decreased, dropping by 59% from 817 average players in February 2022, prior to FTX's acquisition, to around 331 average players in the past month.
Interestingly, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried had previously praised Storybook Brawl as a game that could serve as an example for "ethical" crypto gaming, although it is unclear what that exactly meant. However, with the latest news of the studio's potential liquidation, it appears that the future of the game and its community may be in jeopardy.
As always, we will continue to keep a close eye on any further developments and provide updates as they become available.
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