Daily Insights: Updates on Crypto, Blockchain, NFTs, Web3, and Play-to-Earn Gaming

Square Enix, the renowned video game company behind titles like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, is making significant moves in the blockchain gaming sector despite the recent challenges facing the crypto and blockchain game industries.In 2021, crypto and blockchain games experienced a surge in popularity and investment, but in 2022, they faced a downturn in the bearish trend. However, Square Enix has reaffirmed its commitment to blockchain gaming projects in 2023, signaling a continued focus on the sector.Square Enix, known for its blockbuster IP Final Fantasy, is now exploring the integration of blockchain technology into Web 3.0 games. The company is actively working on multiple blockchain games, distinct from its famous IPs. Yosuke Matsuda, the president of Square Enix, has expressed the company's dedication to the blockchain gaming sector and its willingness to invest in promising businesses both in Japan and abroad.Matsuda acknowledged the challenges faced by the gaming industry in 2022, such as the FTX collapse in November, but he remains optimistic about the growing adoption of Web 3.0. He believes that blockchain games will enter a new phase of growth in 2023, following the turbulent period of excitement and turmoil in the blockchain space.Square Enix's flagship blockchain game project, Symbiogenesis, is a digital experience that allows players to collect art and tell stories. The gameplay involves decisions on whether to monopolize or share information with other players in the community.Apart from Symbiogenesis, Square Enix is acting as a strategic advisor for Cross the Ages, a digital collectible trading card game utilizing the Polygon blockchain. The company has also invested in Zebedee, a Bitcoin gaming startup, and has stakes in the popular blockchain game, The Sandbox. Square Enix intends to reintroduce the highly anticipated game "Dungeon Siege" as an in-game experience within The Sandbox.Square Enix's expansion into blockchain gaming is further evident with its plan to launch Final Fantasy NFTs on the Polkadot blockchain. These NFTs will be associated with Final Fantasy VII, in addition to physical trading cards and toys. The company's push into blockchain gaming was facilitated by a $300 million deal in which it sold its internal gaming studios in the West, along with major IPs like Tomb Raider and Deus Ex, to Embracer Group.Square Enix is not the only traditional gaming publisher venturing into blockchain gaming. Ubisoft has launched its first NFT-enabled game, Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, and has made investments in crypto gaming studios. Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games, has entered the NFT space through its casual game studio, Zynga. However, Rockstar remains opposed to NFTs, banning them on GTA V servers. Valve, the operator of the popular game marketplace Steam, has shown no interest in accommodating blockchain or NFT games on its platform.Overall, Square Enix's commitment to blockchain gaming reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, with traditional publishers exploring new opportunities in the Web 3.0 and blockchain gaming space.

Alien Worlds is a play to earn free to play blockchain game themed around exoplanets, offering Trilium mining, NFTs, and other passive income streams.

P2E Games and its Impact on the Metaverse Economy. Play your favorite games and earn real money, who doesn’t want this to happen?

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick once again shared his thoughts on NFTs and play-to-earn games. Take-Two On Play to Earn Future!

In February, GALA Games experienced remarkable growth, with its value surging by 117%, defying criticism from mainstream sources. Despite challenges in the cryptocurrency and NFT markets, the play-to-earn (P2E) gaming sector demonstrated its resilience, with certain P2E games maintaining their economic systems amid the crypto market downturn.GALA Games, a prominent player in the P2E sector, has been a standout success. GALA enables players to have control over P2E games, gameplay mechanics, and in-game assets through blockchain technology. According to data from Cointelegraph markets pro and Tradingview, GALA's price increased by 117% from its low of $0.177 at the beginning of the month, reaching a peak of $0.384 on February 7th.Several factors contributed to this substantial increase and recovery. The P2E gaming sector is experiencing steady growth, with numerous new projects being launched, including GALA's support for upcoming titles like Spidertanks and Legends Reborn. The company's expansion into new ventures and partnerships also boosted investor confidence. Gala Games partnered with the 888innercircle community on Twitter, which comprises over 205,000 members interested in NFTs and digital collectibles. Additionally, GALA teamed up with Betwixt, a mental health gaming application, with Gala committing $1 million in funding.GALA's dynamic ecosystem, characterized by innovative user approaches, played a significant role in attracting more users. The introduction of new avenues for earning yield through gameplay and running Gala nodes contributed to the steady growth in user numbers. As of February 7th, the number of GALA users had tripled to reach 122,230, a substantial increase compared to the count on November 7th. This impressive performance underscores the resilience and potential of both GALA Games and the broader P2E gaming sector.

The winter holiday season is well underway, and several play and earn games are coming with their alphas, new features, NFT rewards, and updates. Also, our favorite characters from childhood, the Smurfs, have shown up in the popular blockchain game The Sandbox. And finally, we see DeGods and Y00ts migrating from Solana to Ethereum and Polygon. We will see how this decision impacts Solana and why Dust Labs took the decision to migrate. Stay with us until the end as we wrap up this week with all of the important updates in one place for you to keep up with what's going on in the Web 3.0 gaming space.

Play-and-earn games are games or activities that allow players to earn rewards or money through their participation. Check our games list!

NFT Video Games worth your money and time, is a question asked much lately! Video games are one of the first ones to adopt the NFT's.

WAM.app is a social play-to-earn hypercasual gaming platform. Win NFTs and digital collectibles by playing your favorite games on mobile against real people.

Step into the world of Medieval Empires: Ertugrul, a groundbreaking blockchain game that combines historical narrative with modern technology. Set in the late 13th century, this "play-and-own" multiplayer online strategy game lets you build your own empire, lead forces into battle, and explore a richly detailed historical landscape. Inspired by the popular TV series "Ertugrul Gazi," the game features characters voiced by Engin Altan, adding an authentic touch. Choose from diverse factions like the Turkic tribe or English crusaders, and immerse yourself in a world where every asset, including land, can be owned as NFTs. With $MEE tokens driving the in-game economy, players can trade, build, and earn in this dynamic digital ecosystem. Dive into the adventure of God, glory, and gold, and experience the medieval era like never before.

Why are esports tournaments required for play-to-earn and blockchain games, and how can they help Web 3.0? The importance of esports in video games!

Check out this game review of Benji Bananas by Animoca Brands, a mobile platformer/runner action game that uses physics and is play-to-earn and free to play

According to a recent survey, Web 3.0 game developers intend to continue developing Web 3.0 games in the future. The gaming industry will change thanks to Web 3.0 technology.

Let’s have a look at what happened during the week.- Axie Infinity launches a Christmas event.- Sandbox holiday season event- Eternal Dragons have released Alpha.- The honor system is introduced in Spider Tanks.- Benji Bananas's New Season

Angelic by Metaverse Game Studios may be the first AAA Web 3.0 title. The creators of Far Cry, League of Legends, and Diablo Immortal are responsible for Angelic.