Quick Take
- Token launches, game reveals, and platform upgrades drive Web3 gaming momentum
- Mobile, Telegram, and Layer 2 integrations expand player access and dev tooling
- Shutdowns, price shifts, and idle drops reflect growing tension between scale and sustainability
This Week in Crypto Gaming: Momentum Builds Across Chains and Screens
Web3 gaming is shifting again, and this time it’s showing signs of stability. From Base migrations and token launches to Telegram-native idle games and mobile-ready drops, teams are leaning into distribution and utility. Major platforms are adding grants and creator tools, while airdrop mechanics continue to drive short-term volume. At the same time, long-running projects are winding down, and token models are being rebuilt mid-cycle.
The last week of July brought traction, tension, and new tools into the space. Here’s what happened.
Platform Moves & Chain Shifts
HYTOPIA Reveals $HYBUX and Migrates to Base
HYTOPIA announced it will sunset the $TOPIA token and roll out $HYBUX as part of a major overhaul. The new token will be distributed via a 2:1 airdrop to eligible wallets. The platform is migrating to Base, Coinbase’s Layer 2, and launching a Creator Fund with milestone-based grants up to $25,000. Developers can also access a new 75/25 revenue share model and updated modular tools.
Aavegotchi Completes Full Base Migration
All Polygon contracts for Aavegotchi have now been frozen, and the entire game stack, including NFTs, DAO operations, and smart contracts, has moved to Base. The migration also includes $GHST token functionality and new listings on Coinbase-integrated DEXs. The project is preparing for its next content season fully based on Layer 2 infrastructure.
PlayW3 Launches Onchain Platform on PlayBlock
Playnance launched its fully onchain gaming hub, PlayW3, built on the custom PlayBlock chain. Features include near-zero latency, fiat onramps, affiliate tracking, and social login. Players can access arcade games, slots, and sports predictions using native token G Coin. Partner portals and third-party dev onboarding are underway.
Runes Trading Card Game Moves to Ronin
Runes TCG finalized its migration from Polygon to the Ronin Network. The move brings NFT minting, on-chain tournaments, and exclusive airdrops to Sky Mavis’ Layer 1. The game is aiming to build out its “Runiverse” with seasonal competitive circuits.
Game Launches, Airdrops & Pre-Launch Campaigns
Craft World Launches July 29 With Ronin Liquidity
VOYA confirmed Craft World’s launch date for July 29 across desktop, iOS, and Android. The crafting and dino-breeding sim will include day-one support for DynoCoin trading and Ronin-based liquidity pools. The game’s pre-airdrop campaign saw 475,000 players and $75K in spend across two weeks.
Diambra Shares Vision for AI-Powered Fighting Games
In a new interview, Diambra’s founders break down how tokenized agents, player-created AI, and onchain arenas could reshape competitive fighting games. The team is building infrastructure to support autonomous combatants across franchises and community-built metas.
Underground Pepe Launches on Telegram
GOAT Gaming released Underground Pepe, a Telegram-based idle clicker where players collect and upgrade Plush Pepes. These Telegram-native collectibles unlock gameplay and earn Pepe Points used to redeem boxes, tokens, and prizes—all without leaving the app.
Doodles Launches Kyle’s Journey on Telegram
Doodles launched a lightweight Telegram game called Kyle’s Journey. Over 37,000 users joined the waitlist through the official bot. The game offers loot rewards, progression, and cross-campaign drops tied to NFT holders.
Alpaca Dash Goes Live With $10K Prize Pool
The Solana-based NFT racing game Alpaca Dash opened public access with a $10,000 prize pool. Players can compete using in-game avatars or imported NFT racers. Solana wallet integration is supported with leaderboard-based rewards.
Arise Returns With CTA Playtest 2
Arise opened its closed Playtest 2 from July 23 to July 30 with $25,000 in CTA token rewards. Players can progress through the loot system, unlock weapon upgrades, and qualify for top-tier reward tiers.
Token Launches, Emissions, and Shifts
Dante Games Launches $DANTE and Tournament Series
Dante Games debuted its $DANTE token, followed by a $100,000 prize pool split across four Hellmaster tournaments. The first event starts July 29. The ecosystem includes NFT holders with in-game perks, and leaderboard rewards in $DANTE.
Proof of Play Ends $PIRATE Emissions
Pirate Nation will no longer offer $PIRATE rewards. The studio called inflationary play-to-earn models “broken” and will experiment with limited-season, fixed-reward structures for Infinite Tides Season 3 and beyond.
Hunters Token Launches in League of Kingdoms: Hunters
Arena-Z unveiled $HT, a seasonal token earned through gameplay in League of Kingdoms: Hunters. Players can convert $HT into $A2Z rewards based on their activity. Reward multipliers increase based on time held.
Pre-Registrations, Reveals, and Feature Updates
Pudgy Party Opens Pre-Registration With $5K in Rewards
Pudgy Party opened mobile pre-registration across platforms with a $5,000 $PENGU token prize pool. Early users will also gain early access to cosmetics and utility NFTs during the first season.
OverKnights Preps Genesis Mint With Game Utility
The upcoming mech card battler OverKnights revealed details of its Genesis Pilot NFTs, set to mint in early August. Each carries rarity odds, visual flair, and in-game boosts, including passive XP and token multipliers.
Craft World Confirms Liquidity Pools for DynoCoin
VOYA detailed full trading support for DynoCoin at launch. Liquidity pools on Ronin will allow in-game resources to be bought, sold, or burned directly through player actions.
Funding, Grants & Ecosystem Growth
Delabs Games Secures $5.2M Series A
Delabs Games raised $5.2 million to expand its AI-driven titles, including Ragnarok Libre. Funds will also be used to develop the Verse8 platform for AI-assisted quest design and PVE content.
Ultra Offers $1M Developer Grant Program
Ultra announced a $1 million fund for developers building games, tools, and dApps on its chain. Grants will be milestone-based with infrastructure and publishing support.
HYTOPIA Opens $25K Builder Grants
As part of its relaunch, HYTOPIA is offering up to $25K per studio building on its Base-based platform. The fund supports tools, templates, publishing, and monetization assistance.
Shutdowns, Controversy & Community Issues
Tokyo Beast to Shut Down August 24
Less than three months after launch, Tokyo Beast confirmed it will go offline on August 24. The foundation said it will shift focus to future games while continuing to operate the TGT token.
Off The Grid Faces Steam Botting Allegations
Gunzilla’s cyberpunk battle royale Off The Grid is under fire after botting accusations on Steam. The game saw sudden spikes in player count and engagement but failed to generate real matchmaking data. The $GUN token is down over 70% from launch.
Haunted Space Launches $GAGA After Delay
The Avalanche-based space shooter Haunted Space finally launched its $GAGA token on July 15, weeks after missing its promised May 29 TGE. The delay sparked backlash from creators claiming unpaid promotional work. The token dropped in price post-launch, but the team says distribution is still ongoing. No refunds or legal actions have been announced.
hytopia keeps rebranding and moving. i thought they already had their own chain