Update (Oct. 22 at 10:31 UTC): This article has been updated to include comments from Sébastien Borget and Ben James on AI-driven game development.
AI could unleash a flood of short-lived crypto “meme games,” attracting the same speculative traders who helped push memecoins to record highs in late 2024, according to Illuvium co-founder Kieran Warwick.
Speculative crypto games such as Wolf Game and Fishing Frenzy, where players compete for financial rewards, once took months to develop. But Warwick says AI tools have reduced the time and cost of creating similar games to just days and around $1,000.
He predicts as many as 100,000 such games could launch within a year, with many designed to survive for only a few days — long enough for their creators to turn a profit.
“Like you have serial deployers of memes, you’ll get serial deployers of games,” Warwick told Cointelegraph.
But whether that flood would benefit crypto gaming and the broader industry is less clear. Cheaper development could make niche games viable and revive attention across the sector, but a wave of disposable crypto games could also leave a lot of speculators “holding the bag.”
“There will be ridiculous gains, and people will get absolutely f****ing rinsed,” Warwick wrote on X on Monday.
A memecoin-style boom… and bust? In 2024, Pump.fun and similar launchpads helped fuel a surge in memecoins by making tokens easy to create. The sector’s combined market capitalization reached $150.6 billion in December 2024 before falling nearly 69% to $47.2 billion by November 2025, according to CoinGecko.
The boom divided industry figures, with supporters championing memecoins’ appeal to traders while critics argued they diverted capital from useful projects and damaged crypto’s reputation.
Warwick said he expects a similar speculative wave to touch crypto meme games.
“These degens who are gambling in crypto, they get a thousand-dollar paycheck and they put $500 in Pump.Fun. You’re giving them a new venue and a new shiny wrapper … for them to be able to go and gamble.”
Asked whether a mass of short-lived crypto games will ultimately be good for the crypto gaming ecosystem, Warwick said: “probably not.”
“Like in the long run, I don’t think so. The sustainable model that Illuvium has been building towards for years, where really good quality games with ownership underneath, that I think is still the dream of where crypto gaming should be building towards.” Animoca Brands and The Sandbox CEO Robby Yung took a similar view.
“I think if there is a type of meme game, as Warwick is describing, that doesn’t particularly take much effort to make… I don’t think it would become a lasting category because user retention is the lifeblood of games and always has been,” he told Cointelegraph.
Sébastien Borget, president of the Blockchain Game Alliance and co-founder of The Sandbox said he sees the speculative wave as one part of a broader expansion in game creation.
“We’re witnessing a true Cambrian explosion of games and creativity, where anyone can turn even their wildest ideas into playable experiences without worrying about the complexities of 2D/3D asset creation, level design, music, or sound effects,” he told Cointelegraph.
“But as the cost of experimenting and bringing ideas to life approaches zero, and the abundance of content explodes, the real challenge shifts from creation to discovery, distribution, and reaching an audience.”
More games, but where are the players? That audience question was central for Mirai Labs co-founder and CEO Corey Wilton, who questioned whether an AI-driven surge in supply can overcome weak demand for crypto games.
“We shipped quite a few games, six or seven games, into the market,” Wilton said. “Ultimately, it came to the conclusion that the demand for or within the Web3 space simply isn’t there.”
Dappradar’s tracking of gaming decentralized apps (Dapps) shows just $232.2 million in total value locked in 2,356 apps. A basket of the top 50 gaming tokens has a combined market capitalization of $3.8 billion at the time of writing.
“I think the lack of demand and liquidity in so-called altcoins is definitely an issue, but I think, at the same time, there is also a lack of choice out there of really enjoyable, fun games that captivate people’s imaginations,” said Yung.
“The reality is the number of game titles that use crypto is very small, and so there’s not a lot of choice for consumers. That makes it difficult to actually judge whether crypto is the issue or it’s just that there aren’t enough good games.”
Recent crypto games show there is still interest in the sector despite recent pivots. The developers of Yield Fields, an upcoming web3 farming game built on the Robinhood chain, raised an estimated $8.3 million on Oct. 14 selling digital land plots as nonfungible tokens. The game is set to launch at the end of the month.
AI game development hits cryptoData shows AI has already entered crypto game development.
In the Blockchain Game Alliance’s 2025 survey of 506 industry professionals, 32.8% said their company had implemented or experimented with AI for game design and content creation.
Yung compared the arrival of AI development tools to the early days of mobile gaming, when cheaper development encouraged more studios to enter the market.
“Frankly, I think that’s a great thing all around,” said Yung. “It reminds me a bit of when mobile first started to become popular around 2010. A lot of people started developing for mobile because it was much cheaper and much faster than developing for PC or console.”
“What happened was we just got more games of all kinds of quality, and customers had a choice of playing what they liked,” he said.
Ben James, CEO of Atlas Design and 404.xyz, said the lower barriers would make originality more important.
“AI will make it easier to launch games, and those that lack creativity, innovation or passion will converge on the average: a sameness we call ‘slop’. At the same time, games that are unique in their aesthetics, gameplay or even business models will stand out.”
Magazine: Agents can trade 24/7 — but Yat Siu warns you could lose access at any time
Event Passes are mini Battle Passes that last shorter but happen much more often. Which Rangers can claim all their exclusive rewards? Not only that, but each Event Pass ends with a spectacular Premium-only tournament.
Next up is the Abyssal Chasm Event Pass: queue Ranked Gauntlet, earn Arena Points, and claim Illuvials, Fuel, XP boosts, an emote, and the Abyssal Chasm Challenger title.
This Event Pass is built around Abyssal Chasm and the Illuvials that hunt there. Play it out on two tracks: a Free Track for every Ranger, and a Premium Track including bigger Fuel Drops, more powerful XP boosts, but most importantly: more powerful Illuvials.
Start: 7th October 2026
End: 27th October 2026, 00:00 UTC
Duration: 19 days
Premium: 800 Fuel
There’s also Illuvium Challengers Series #2 hosted by Sylen, Premium Event Pass required, $500 USD in ILV. Full tournament details are at the end.
Open Event Pass in the Arena client.
Only Ranked Gauntlet matches grant Arena Points and count toward missions.Claim rewards as you hit each Arena Point threshold (3 → 750).Everyone can progress the Free Track.Unlock Premium for 800 Fuel to claim the Premium Track and Premium Missions.The Event Pass runs for 19 days. Finish what you start: once the event is over, the rewards are gone as well.
Missions sit on the Event Pass screen and pay extra Arena Points on top of Ranked play.
Each mission is randomly assigned from the mission pool. A mission will not repeat until you have completed every mission in that pool at least once.
Free Missions
Mission
Arena Points
Daily
5
Weekly
20
Examples: get a 10-round win streak in a Ranked match (daily), and play 15 Ranked matches (weekly).
Premium Missions (Premium Event Pass)
Mission
Arena Points
Daily
10
Weekly
40
Examples: hit synergy 5+ in a Ranked round (daily), and activate Invoker and Steam at 3+ at the same time in a Ranked round (weekly).
Illuvials on the tracks come with a set TPI (Trait Purity Indicator) and level. That is Leviathan-ready power, not a cosmetic sticker. Kickstart your way to dominating Illuvium Arena Ranked by owning and improving your collection.
Fuel Drops pay Fuel straight into your account.
XP Boosts on Premium accelerate Illuvial levelling for a fixed window (3 / 7 / 10 / 60 days).
The exclusive emote and the Abyssal Chasm Challenger title are for flexing. Keep using them in Gauntlet to show off your achievements to your opponents.
— = no Free reward at that step. Premium still pays.
Arena Points
Free Track
Premium Track
3
Earth Doka · Stage 1 · 0 TPI · Level 10
Lesser Monkier · 40 TPI · Level 20
5
Water Fliish · Stage 1 · 10 TPI · Level 20
Emote: All In Stoic Floralynx
10
—
50 Fuel Drop
15
Earth Volante · Stage 2 · 20 TPI · Level 30
Lura · 40 TPI · Level 30
25
—
50 Fuel Drop
35
Water Volante · Stage 3 · 25 TPI · Level 45
80% XP Boost · 3 days
50
—
Exalted Monkier · 50 TPI · Level 42
75
Greater Monkier · 30 TPI · Level 30
Exalted Aapon · 50 TPI · Level 42
100
—
100 Fuel Drop
150
25 Fuel Drop
Exalted Grilla · 50 TPI · Level 42
200
—
120% XP Boost · 7 days
250
Loulura · 40 TPI · Level 30
Phorus · 65 TPI · Level 45
300
—
160% XP Boost · 10 days
400
Malura · 45 TPI · Level 45
Goliant · 65 TPI · Level 45
500
25 Fuel Drop
Title: Abyssal Chasm Challenger
750
—
40% XP Boost · 60 days
Nine payouts: starter Earth Doka, Water Fliish, Stage 2 Earth Volante, Stage 3 Water Volante, Greater Monkier, Loulura, Malura (Level 45), and 50 Fuel across two Drops.
Sixteen payouts, including:
Early Lesser Monkier (40 TPI) and the Lynx Nature Bulwark Stage 3 — All In emote200 Fuel in Drops (50 + 50 + 100)Lura at 40 TPI, then Exalted Monkier, Exalted Aapon, and Exalted Grilla at 50 TPIPhorus and Goliant at 65 TPI, Level 45XP: 80% / 3 days, 120% / 7 days, 160% / 10 days, 40% / 60 daysTitle: Abyssal Chasm ChallengerPremium is undoubtedly where it's at for this Event Pass. The Free Track still pays real Illuvials and Fuel. Premium is where TPI, XP boosts, the emote, and the title live.
Update Illuvium Arena on the Epic Games Store and open Event Pass.Queue Ranked Gauntlet: unranked matches do not award Arena Points or mission progress.Clear the assigned Daily and Weekly missions as they come up.Claim on the track as the bar hits 3, 5, 10, 15… 750.Unlock Premium from the Event Pass screen for 800 Fuel if you want the second track and Premium Missions.See you in the Arena, Rangers. Abyssal Chasm doesn’t wait.
The Event Pass is not only a track. Sylen is hosting Illuvium Challengers Series #2 — Ranked Gauntlet, two days, $500 USD in ILV.
Day One: October 18, 2026 · 7:00 PM UTC
Finals: October 25, 2026 · 7:00 PM UTC
Signup sheet: https://forms.gle/cLmfkfdXyng7zoup9
Signup is first come, first served, with a backup list. You need the Premium Event Pass (800 Fuel) to enter. The signup sheet is posted with this announcement.
Day One: October 18
BO1 32 → 16, then BO1 16 → 8.
Finals: October 25
BO3 Points for the remaining eight.
Illuvium Arena Event Pass: Taiga BorealIntroducing Event Passes: mini Battle Passes that last shorter but happen much more often. Which Rangers can claim all their exclusive rewards? Not only that but each Event Pass ends with a spectacular Premium-only tournament!
We kick off with the Taiga Boreal Event Pass: Queue Ranked Gauntlet, earn Arena Points, and claim Illuvials, Fuel, XP boosts, emotes and cap it off with a Season Title!
This Event Pass is built around Taiga Boreal: ice, rock, and the Illuvials that hunt there. Play it out on two tracks: a Free Track for every Ranger, and a Premium Track including bigger Fuel Drops, more powerful XP boosts but most importantly: more powerful Illuvials!
Start: 16th September 2026
End: 01st October 2026, 00:00 UTC
Duration: 14 days
Premium: 800 Fuel
There’s also a Taiga Boreal Event Tournament in the same window — hosted by Sylen, Premium Event Pass required, $500 USD in ILV. Full tournament details are at the end.
Open Event Pass in the Arena client.
Only Ranked Gauntlet matches grant Arena Points and count toward missions.Claim rewards as you hit each Arena Point threshold (3 → 500).Everyone can progress the Free Track.Unlock Premium for 800 Fuel to claim the Premium Track and Premium Missions.The Event Pass runs for 14 days. Finish what you start: once the event is over, the rewards are gone as well!
Missions sit on the Event Pass screen and pay extra Arena Points on top of Ranked play.
Each mission is randomly assigned from the mission pool. A mission will not repeat until you have completed every mission in that pool at least once.
Free Missions
Mission
Arena Points
Daily
5
Weekly
20
Examples: get a 10-round win streak in a Ranked match (daily), and play 15 Ranked matches (weekly).
Premium Missions (Premium Event Pass)
Mission
Arena Points
Daily
10
Weekly
40
Examples: hit synergy 5+ in a Ranked round (daily), and activate Invoker and Steam at 3+ at the same time in a Ranked round (weekly).
Illuvials on the tracks come with a set TPI (Trait Purity Indicator) and level. That is Leviathan-ready power, not a cosmetic sticker. Kickstart your way to dominating Illuvium Arena Ranked by owning and improving your collection!
Fuel Drops pay Fuel straight into your account.
XP Boosts on Premium accelerate Illuvial levelling for a fixed window (7 / 14 / 28 days).
Exclusive Emotes and the Taiga Boreal Challenger title are for flexing, keep using them in Gauntlet Event Pass to show off your achievements to your opponents!
— = no Free reward at that step. Premium still pays.
Arena Points
Free Track
Premium Track
3
Slappin · 0 TPI · Level 10
Caradulo · 40 TPI · Level 20
5
Air Grokko · Stage 1 · 20 TPI · Level 20
Emote: Penguin Stage 3 — I See You
10
—
50 Fuel Drop
15
Air Attipo · Stage 2 · 20 TPI · Level 30
Rypterus · 40 TPI · Level 30
25
—
50 Fuel Drop
35
Kukka · 20 TPI · Level 10
50% XP Boost · 7 days
50
—
Quinx · 40 TPI · Level 30
75
25 Fuel Drop
Kukkulus · 60 TPI · Level 30
100
—
100 Fuel Drop
150
Jokull · 20 TPI · Level 30
Mah'tu · 60 TPI · Level 30
200
—
100% XP Boost · 14 days
250
Winq · 40 TPI · Level 30
Ghazotep · 60 TPI · Level 40
300
Emote: Lynx Water Bulwark Stage 3 — Popcorn
150% XP Boost · 28 days
400
25 Fuel Drop
Title: Taiga Boreal Challenger
500
Slashin · 40 TPI · Level 45
Jotun · 70 TPI · Level 45
Nine payouts: starter Slappin, Air Grokko, Stage 2 Air Attipo, Kukka, Jokull, Winq, end-of-track Slashin (Level 45), 50 Fuel across two Drops, and the Lynx Popcorn emote.
Fifteen payouts, including:
Early Caradulo (40 TPI) and the Penguin I See You emote200 Fuel in Drops (50 + 50 + 100)Mid-track Kukkulus, Mah'tu, Ghazotep at 60 TPIXP: 50% / 7 days, 100% / 14 days, 150% / 28 daysTitle: Taiga Boreal ChallengerCapstone: Jotun · 70 TPI · Level 45Premium is undoubtedly where it's at for this Event Pass. The Free Track still pays real Illuvials and Fuel; Premium is where TPI, XP boosts, and the title live.
If you unlock Premium after you have already earned Arena Points, you can claim every Premium reward you have already crossed.
Update Illuvium Arena on the Epic Games Store and open Event Pass.Queue Ranked Gauntlet: unranked matches do not award Arena Points or mission progress.Clear the assigned Daily and Weekly missions as they come up.Claim on the track as the bar hits 3, 5, 10, 15… 500.Unlock Premium from the Event Pass screen for 800 Fuel if you want the second track and Premium Missions.See you in the Arena, Rangers. Taiga Boreal doesn’t wait.
Titles are now visible in-game, not only on Illuvidex. Equip one and it shows while you play.
To change it in Arena, open the Ranger tab. You’ll see every title you own — including Event Pass rewards like Taiga Boreal Challenger. Pick one and brag in lobby.
You can also change your title on Illuvidex, under your profile.
The Event Pass is not only a track. Sylen is hosting a Taiga Boreal Event Tournament — Ranked Gauntlet, two days, $500 USD in ILV.
Day One: September 27, 2026 · 7:00 PM UTC
Finals: October 4, 2026 · 7:00 PM UTC
Signup sheet: https://forms.gle/7yV9Tj8gxkM16eoF6
Signup is first come, first served, with a backup list. You need the Premium Event Pass (800 Fuel) to enter. The signup sheet is posted with this announcement.
Day One — September 27
BO1 32 → 16, then BO1 16 → 8.
Finals — October 4
BO3 Points for the remaining eight.
Place
Prize
1st
$200
2nd
$100
3rd
$75
4th
$50
5th
$30
6th
$20
7th
$15
8th
$10
Grab Premium, get on the sheet, and show up Day One. Backup list fills any no-shows.
Co-founder Kieran Warwick says the reduction puts the Ethereum game studio past 12 months of runway, with the remaining team working almost entirely on its Overworld MMO.
Illuvium's team has agreed to reduce its wages again to preserve the studio's runway, which co-founder Kieran Warwick now puts at more than 12 months, he said Friday.
The cut buys Illuvium past August 2027 on Warwick's own numbers, at a point when crypto gaming studios are closing. Proof of Play announced on Aug. 5 that it was ceasing operations and open-sourcing Pirate Nation's code and art under CC0. The games Illuvium has already shipped cover a fraction of its payroll: the protocol generated $9,781 in fees and revenue over the past 30 days, according to DefiLlama, which puts the trailing-year annualized rate at $123,194.
DefiLlama values Illuvium's treasury at $2.78 million against $60 million raised, and the ILV staked in its pools at $2.21 million, or 7.98% of market capitalization. ILV trades at $3.35, up 6.1% on the day and 17.9% over the week, per CoinGecko, for a market cap of $27.74 million. The token hit an all-time low of $2.69 on July 29 and sits 99.8% below its November 2021 high of $1,911.26.
The wider crypto market rose 18.6% over the same seven days. Warwick closed his post by saying his confidence had "nothing to do with the price of ETH."
Wages Cut Even FurtherWarwick said the studio has "heavily reduced costs" over six months and that the team "agreed to reduce their wages even further to preserve runway." He did not give the size of the cut, the number of staff remaining, or the studio's cash position.
The February update in which Warwick set out the current plan put runway "into mid next year," meaning mid-2027. Friday's wording — "over 12 months of runway again" — indicates the figure had fallen below a year in the six months since.
The Team We Have Left"The team we have left is almost entirely focused on the MMO, and most of them have been with us for more than three years," Warwick wrote, referring to Overworld.
February's post targeted a December 2026 release for Overworld, with multiplayer combat, dungeon runs, creature capture and onchain items, and no player-versus-player mode at launch. Warwick gave no date on Friday, saying he was running his "final play session of the latest Overworld build" before publishing feedback.
Four other products are launching this year, he said: a Celebrations collection for Illuvium Beyond, Beyond Chaos, Primal Tactica and Loadout. That schedule has slipped from February, when Warwick said Beyond's Wave 5 would complete the collectible card game's first set, to be followed by a three-year celebration set and then Set 2. Wave 5 shipped with a Lamborghini exclusive collection that ran from April 21 to May 5. Warwick now says the Celebrations collection "will be the final release in the Set 1 collection." He gave no detail on Beyond Chaos.
Beyond, launched in March 2023, is Illuvium's "number one revenue-generating game by a long shot," Warwick wrote in February.
Steam Debut In OctoberPrimal Tactica is the product of the licensing deal Warwick described in February, when Arena's head designer asked to take the IP and ship a game with the web3 elements stripped out on Steam, with Illuvium keeping most of the revenue after platform fees. Warwick said Friday the build is nearly complete, will debut at Steam Next Fest in October, and that "Illuvium receives the lion's share of the revenue." He offered test keys by direct message.
The Steam listing names Errata Studio Ltd as developer and publisher, sets an Early Access release for Q4 2026, and describes a roguelike autobattler with more than 200 creatures called Primals. Illuvium is not mentioned on the page.
Nothing To Stake ForLoadout, Warwick said, "will distribute tokens to the Illuvium staking contract and give people a reason to stake ILV and ILV-ETH again."
Warwick's X bio lists him as founder of Loadout, a Solana trading platform for game tokens that routes 4% of each token's trading volume to the game's treasury and charges a 1% protocol fee. Its site reports 2.7K traders signed up and 37 studios confirmed, with no launch date. Warwick said an announcement is close.
Stakers have little coming to them now. DefiLlama puts holders' revenue at a $0 30-day run rate. Under Staking V3, launched on Base in November 2025, direct ILV rewards trigger at 150 ETH revenue milestones — roughly $360,000 at current prices, against the $9,781 the protocol took in over the past month. Illuvium also says distributions resume only once its Safety Pool is fully funded under ICCP-22. Shards, the seasonal loyalty points stakers earn daily, are emitted at a rate that falls 2.97% every Monday.
Sentiment At All-Time LowWarwick's February post described crypto sentiment as "at an all-time low" and crypto gaming as "even lower." A month later, Solana Foundation president Lily Liu said gaming on a blockchain "is not coming back."
Illuvium raised $72 million in a land sale over four days in June 2022, selling 19,969 plots by Dutch auction. DefiLlama counts $12 million in total capital raised by the protocol. Kieran Warwick is CEO of Illuvium Labs and his brother Aaron is game director.
Illuvium’s team is taking another financial haircut to keep the lights on. Co-founder Kieran Warwick said Friday that staff have agreed to reduce their wages again, a move he says pushes the studio’s operational runway past August 2027.
The math behind survival This isn’t the first time Illuvium has tightened the belt. In early 2025, the studio undertook a significant restructuring that slashed its core team from a peak of roughly 100 to 150 people down to 66 contributors.
That same restructuring brought the monthly burn rate from approximately $900K down to about $500K. Salary caps were also introduced, with certain roles capped at $85K. Many team members opted to take compensation in ILV tokens instead of cash, a bet that only pays off if the project survives long enough to matter.
The latest wage cuts layer on top of those earlier reductions. Warwick now puts the runway at more than 12 months, which on his numbers means the studio can operate into the second half of 2027 without needing a lifeline.
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For context, $132 million in historical funding is a substantial war chest by crypto gaming standards. The fact that the studio still needs to cut wages to stretch its runway tells you something about how expensive game development is, and how little revenue the broader blockchain gaming sector is generating right now.
What Illuvium is building toward The central bet is the Overworld MMO, a massively multiplayer online game that represents the studio’s flagship product and its best shot at generating meaningful revenue.
Loadout, which integrates ILV staking mechanics, is reportedly nearing a launch announcement. The feature essentially lets players put their tokens to work within the game’s ecosystem rather than just holding them in a wallet.
The studio is also continuing development on its Arena updates and the Beyond collections, both of which serve as interim revenue generators and community touchpoints.
A sector under pressure Illuvium’s cost-cutting happens against a grim backdrop. Proof of Play and other blockchain gaming studios have been closing or dramatically scaling back operations.
Warwick has acknowledged that crypto gaming sentiment is low. His argument, essentially, is that Illuvium is better capitalized and better positioned than most studios in the space.
The team members who opted for ILV token compensation instead of cash are making an especially concentrated bet. If Overworld launches successfully and drives demand for the token, they could be handsomely rewarded. If not, they’ve accepted below-market wages for a digital asset that might not recover.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Illuvium reports 40,000 daily active users averaging 90 minutes of gameplay in its open beta, signaling a shift from speculative token farming to genuine player engagement. The Lamborghini partnership triggered a 35% rally in ILV prices, integrating the automaker into the Beyond game with limited collectibles and a $50,000 Motorverse Cup prize pool. Staking V3 migrated to the Base network with up to 3x reward boosts for users who lock tokens and hold legacy staking history from V1 and V2 contracts. Web3 gaming tokens surged 300% in early 2026, though ILV’s historical annualized volatility exceeds 100%, making it unsuitable for capital-preservation investment strategies overall. Illuvium shifted from inflationary staking rewards to a Revenue Distribution model in 2026, tying token holder returns directly to actual game revenue rather than emissions. Web3 gaming tokens surged 300% in early 2026, and Illuvium sits at the center of that recovery with 40,000 daily active users in its open beta, CoinMarketCap’s latest analysis noted. An unexpected Lamborghini partnership announcement drove a 35% rally in ILV.
But does gameplay engagement translate into sustainable token value? This article examines Illuvium’s investment case through five lenses: gameplay metrics, tokenomics, staking mechanics, competitive positioning, and risk factors.
Gameplay Metrics and the Lamborghini Partnership Illuvium’s open beta reports 40,000 daily active users averaging 90 minutes per session. The game spans several connected experiences: an open-world RPG for creature capture, a strategy battle arena, and a land management simulation.
All share the same NFT asset layer, meaning creatures captured in the RPG transfer into the strategy game; top players have earned between $100 and $300 per week.
The Lamborghini collaboration, announced in mid-2026, integrates Automobili Lamborghini into the Beyond game through limited Wave 5 collectibles, custom Battleboards, and The Motorverse Cup event with a $50,000 prize pool, NFT Playgrounds reported.
ILV surged 35% on the announcement, then pulled back. VanEck’s digital assets team published a detailed assessment asking whether Illuvium can become “crypto gaming’s AAA breakthrough,” in a report on their website.
Tokenomics: From Inflationary Rewards to Revenue Distribution Illuvium’s investment structure revolves around three asset categories: the ILV governance token, Land NFTs, and in-game collectible Illuvials. In 2026, the project shifted from inflationary staking rewards to a Revenue Distribution model, as explained in Bitget’s investment guide.
This structural change ties token holder returns to actual game revenue rather than emission schedules, reducing the sell pressure that plagued earlier GameFi token models.
Staking V3 migrated to the Base network, requiring users to bridge ILV tokens from Ethereum. Stakers can choose between an ILV vault and an ILV/ETH vault.
Lock periods boost rewards up to 3x, with additional multipliers for users who staked on V1 and V2 contracts, as the Illuvium Portal’s staking guide details. This legacy loyalty mechanism rewards long-term holders over recent buyers, creating a structural advantage for early participants.
Risk Factors and Competitive Pressures ILV’s annualized volatility has historically exceeded 100%, and its price is currently trading around $3.54, with an expected peak of $4.10, CoinMarketCap’s prediction model estimates. This level of volatility makes ILV unsuitable for capital preservation strategies.
The broader GameFi sector faces intense competition, with Gala Games, Axie Infinity, and new entrants all competing for a limited pool of Web3-native players.
ILV’s price depends heavily on game adoption metrics. If daily active users plateau or decline, demand for tokens from gameplay-driven transactions falls. The 2022-2024 GameFi collapse demonstrated how quickly player numbers can evaporate when token incentives dry up.
Illuvium’s shift to revenue distribution addresses this by removing dependence on emission-funded rewards, but the model’s sustainability depends on growing game revenue, which remains unproven at scale. FinanceFeeds’ coverage of the DeFi-powered mobile gaming sector provides additional context on how gaming token economics are evolving across the industry.
Illuvium’s 40,000 daily active users and 90-minute average session times compare favorably to most blockchain games but remain far below traditional gaming benchmarks. For context, mid-tier mobile games routinely sustain 500,000-plus daily players.
The Lamborghini partnership adds brand credibility but no recurring revenue stream. The real investment thesis hinges on whether the Revenue Distribution model can generate sufficient income to justify ILV’s current valuation without relying on token-emission subsidies.
Regulatory Implications Gaming NFTs and governance tokens face evolving regulatory scrutiny. The SEC has not issued definitive guidance on whether in-game NFTs constitute securities. MiCA’s treatment of utility tokens may provide a framework for European classification. Illuvium’s DAO governance structure could attract regulatory attention if ILV is reclassified as a security in any major jurisdiction.
Next Steps for Gamers Illuvium’s full launch remains the primary catalyst. The Motorverse Cup tournament will test whether competitive events can drive sustained engagement beyond the current beta user base.
Investors should track daily active user trends, Revenue Distribution payouts, and Staking V3 participation rates as leading indicators of token demand. Price projections are speculative and depend on adoption metrics that remain in their early stages.
FAQs What is Illuvium and how does its game work?
Illuvium is an AAA blockchain game on Immutable X combining an open-world RPG, strategy arena, and land simulation, where players capture, battle, and trade NFT creatures.
How many daily active users does Illuvium have?
Illuvium reports 40,000 daily active users in its open beta as of 2026, with players averaging 90 minutes of gameplay per session across its connected game experiences.
What is Illuvium’s Staking V3, and where does it operate?
Staking V3 runs on the Base network, offering ILV and ILV/ETH vaults with up to 3x reward boosts for locked stakes and legacy bonuses for V1 and V2 stakers.
What was the Illuvium Lamborghini partnership about?
Automobili Lamborghini partnered with Illuvium to integrate branded content into the Beyond game, including limited collectibles, custom Battleboards, and a $50,000 tournament prize pool.
Is ILV suitable for conservative investors seeking stable returns?
No, ILV’s annualized volatility has historically exceeded 100%, and its price depends on game adoption metrics, making it unsuitable for capital preservation or stable-return strategies.
How did Illuvium change its tokenomics in 2026?
Illuvium shifted from inflationary staking rewards to a Revenue Distribution model that ties token holder returns directly to actual game revenue rather than emission schedules.
What risks should investors consider before buying ILV tokens?
Key risks include extreme price volatility exceeding 100% annually, dependence on player adoption growth, intense competition in the GameFi sector, and evolving regulatory treatment of gaming NFTs.
References Can Illuvium Become Crypto Gaming’s AAA Breakthrough? – VanEck Illuvium Staking V3 Guide – Illuvium Portal Lamborghini Powers Into Illuvium NFTs – NFT Playgrounds Illuvium Investment Guide 2026 – Bitget Academy
Ethereum (ETH)-based games developer Illuvium (ILV) just announced that it is joining hands with Virtuals Protocol, a platform that allows users to create their own artificial intelligence (AI) agents that are capable of performing tasks autonomously.
In a series of posts on social media platform X, Illuvium says the partnership will allow it to tap on Virtuals’ GAME Framework, the protocol’s decision-making engine that enables AI agents to autonomously execute actions based on provided information.
[adinserter block="1"]
“We’re leveraging http://Virtuals.io’s modular framework to create autonomous, decision-making NPCs (non-playable characters) that enhance gameplay and interactions.”
Illuvium is optimistic that the collaboration will place it at the forefront of AI innovation as it anticipates improvements in its NPCs.
“Imagine AI-driven strategies, autonomous NPCs, and personalized player experiences – all within your favorite games…
With unparalleled decision-making capabilities, modularity, and scalability, we can focus on crafting immersive gameplay while http://Virtuals.io handles the complex AI infrastructure.”
Illuvium says players will see the AI innovations in the games Enhancing Overworld, Arena and Illuvium Zero.
Virtuals says its GAME framework will power virtual worlds.
“Gaming has been a core part of our thesis for AI agents from the inception of Virtuals, and we’re excited to put that plan into motion through this partnership with Illuvium.
Unlimited choices made available to gamers, leading to emergent gameplay and infinite replayability. The world will be yours to shape as you see fit.”
Saga, a Layer-1 blockchain dedicated to Web3 gaming, has announced a partnership with Virtuals Protocol and others in a joint venture aimed at powering AI Agents.
As part of this collaboration, Saga introduced Metropolis.lol, a reality arbitrage protocol that combines blockchain and AI technologies.
Saga Layer-1 Launches Metropolis.lol with AI TrifectaAnnounced via a post on X (Twitter), Saga detailed its collaboration with Virtuals Protocol, Eliza Labs, Wayfinder Foundation, and ai16z to launch a novel agent-only Layer 1 blockchain ecosystem, Metropolis.lol.
Metropolis.lol functions as an open-source agent runtime, providing developers with a full-stack toolkit to create AI-centric applications. This initiative establishes Metropolis as a decentralized society where AI agents thrive.
“Today, Saga is proud to introduce metropolis.lol—the reality arbitrage protocol and a groundbreaking collaboration with Virtuals Protocol, Wayfinder Foundation, and ai16z,” Saga wrote.
Among Saga’s partners, Virtuals Protocol facilitates ecosystem interactions through the Metropolis Butler Agent. This enables seamless communication between Virtual Protocols’ agents and Metropolis. Meanwhile, Eliza Labs powers scalable AI functionalities via the ElizaOS framework, fostering advanced intelligent operations.
The Wayfinder Foundation develops multi-chain frameworks that enable AI agents to navigate blockchain ecosystems seamlessly. Meanwhile, this development comes just a month after Saga launched its Mainnet 2.0 to transform blockchain economics.
Collaborating with Uniswap, Saga’s upgrade offered autonomous chain deployment, enabling agents to independently create and manage scalable Chainlets. Additionally, Saga’s Liquidity Integration Layer (LIL), set to launch in Q1 2025, promises to enhance cross-chain liquidity for AI-driven economies.
VIRTUAL Soars 30% As AI Agents Surge in PopularityRiding on the AI Agents wave, the Virtuals Protocol has seen a spike in demand. According to BeInCrypto data, VIRTUAL, the powering token for the Virtuals Protocol ecosystem, is up by almost 30% on this news. As of this writing, it was trading at $3.73.
VIRTUAL Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoThe network’s partnership with Illuvium has also revolutionized gaming by making in-game characters more realistic. This further demonstrates the versatility of AI agents in diverse applications.
Meanwhile, this surge comes on the back of the growing popularity of AI agents. It represents a pivotal trend in both the blockchain and technology sectors. According to a recent CoinGecko report, the integration of AI into blockchain — specifically through AI agents — has driven substantial market interest.
Against this backdrop, financial institutions like Franklin Templeton have acknowledged the potential of AI agents. The asset manager recently predicted the sector’s role in reshaping financial ecosystems. Similarly, Multicoin Capital foresees AI agents driving the next wave of blockchain innovation by 2025.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, envisions AI agents playing an integral role in future decentralized applications. He believes they would enable automated governance and complex economic systems.
Elsewhere, prominent venture firm ai16z has committed to advancing AI agents, highlighting the need for tokenomics overhauls to optimize their performance. Additionally, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has expressed enthusiasm for the transformative potential of AI agents, emphasizing their role in creating intelligent, self-sustaining digital economies.
“It is very very clear AI agents is probably the next robotics industry and likely to be a multi-trillion dollar opportunity,” Huang said.
Global cryptocurrency markets have displayed robust bullishness following crypto backer Donald Trump’s inauguration. However, one thing that is attracting attention is the recent activity of some investors in the market.
Trader hordes Illuvium and Hyperliquid Data shared by Onchain Lens today showed that a trader sold 10,000 Illuvium tokens for 93 WETH worth $306,435. Based on this transaction, the trader bought 93 WETH at an average price of $3,295.80 for each token.
The trader later bridged the 93 WETH coins for $300,000 USDC, a transaction that enabled him to earn an incredible profit of $6,435. According to data, the trader later sent $299,000 USDC to the Hyperliquid trading platform and purchased 13,768.6 HYPE at an average price of $21.77. Currently, the trader holds 25,000 Illuvium coins worth $813,000.
This is a significant transaction in the digital asset market, as the trader made a bold move, intending to optimize gains from the price fluctuations of WETH, Illuvium (ILV), and Hyperliquid (HYPE).
Fortunately, this transaction resulted in a remarkable profit of $6,435 while the trader still holds significant amounts of tokens including Illuvium and Hyperliquid. This is a good example of profit-making in the volatile crypto market.
These huge holdings of Illuvium and Hyperliquid by the trader highlight a strategic move to take advantage of a potential price rise. Experts believe that the digital asset market could witness a substantial rise after the day Trump was sworn in as the US President.
ILV and HYPE price updates Today, Jan.21, Bitcoin and other digital assets experienced a mild slump, as bullish investor sentiment surrounding virtual currencies slowed down after Trump’s swearing-in.
Illuvium is currently down 3.5%, trading at $33.52. Its price has been down 7.90% in the last seven days. Also, its trading volume is down 13.70%, signaling a recent drop in market activity.
Hyperliquid has also been struggling to maintain its uptrends. Although it has been up 0.80% in the last seven days, it is underperforming the global digital asset market which is up 6.30% currently. Its trading volume is currently down 54.10%, highlighting decreased participation from investors and traders.
The action by the trader indicates that whales are seizing the opportunity presented by low prices to accumulate assets with growth potential. Large investors are normally smart at market timing, purchasing and selling at the right moments.
AUTHOR
Nicholas Otieno is a fintech writer specializing in cryptocurrency markets. Since 2019, he has written articles to educate readers about cryptocurrency and its substantial positive impact on global prosperity. Nicholas is a Bitcoin holder, believing firmly in its fundamentals. His work has been featured in publications such as Finance Magnates, Blockchain.News, Bitcoin Magazine, Coincub, and among others. When he's not writing, Nicholas enjoys performing domestic tasks, spending time with friends, listening to music, and watching football.
Ethereum gaming franchise Illuvium has undergone a company restructuring, resulting in layoffs along with some core contributors opting to take pay cuts or receive their wages in the gaming IP’s own token.
The downsizing comes after Illuvium released a trio of interconnected games last year—Overworld, Arena, and Zero—that covered varying genres. Despite its ambitious vision, the community's reaction wasn't overwhelmingly positive following years of development.
In December, co-founder Kieran Warwick admitted that "concerns" about the franchise's gameplay were valid and that things had to change. Part of this included that Illuvium had "significantly" reduced its costs via capping wages at $85,000, among other adjustments.
But this week, Warwick said that more substantial cuts had to be made.
"We made the difficult decision to restructure our core contributor team to bring our monthly burn rate closer to $500,000," Warwick said in a Tuesday statement. "We want to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone affected by these changes."
The statement on X (formerly Twitter) further explains that some employees have "generously offered" to take pay cuts, while others have chosen to receive their salary in the project's ILV token rather than the USDC stablecoin. It also alludes to letting employees go as part of a “leaner” approach, although never explicitly says this is the case.
In the replies, Illuvium Community Manager DickKingz, also known as Rich, explained that the team is now down to 66 core contributors—down from between 100 to 150 people as of late.
"The trim to 66 was unfortunately a lot of my teammates and friends, and [I] hate to see them go," Rich said. "Hopefully it’s only bye for now, and in the future when things improve, we can bring many back."
Illuvium did not immediately respond to Decrypt's request for comment.
As a result of the restructuring, as well as some other operating cost cutting measures, Illuvium has gotten closer to its "burn rate" goal of $500,000—it was at $900,000 as of December. This means that the Illuvium franchise now has a 24-month runway to continue development.
Previously, Warwick explained that Illuvium planned to seek fresh funding around March. But in the wake of the restructuring, he confirmed that the franchise isn't looking to raise "right now."
He had also previously outlined a plan to move the franchise forward. The co-founder proposed focusing on one game at a time—rather than the three games it was developing—including reworking its Overworld to be a more streamlined version of a massively multiplayer online game, or MMO, and reducing in-game microtransactions.
It appears that the 24 month-runway will get the project to the point of completing its auto-battler, starting the rework of Overworld, and attempting to keep the community engaged, according to the restructuring statement.
"This is step one in the rebuild. Now we have the runway, and it will continue to be extended," Warwick said on X. "Enormous updates are coming mid-next month: Auto drone runs, multiplayer servers, and leaderboards reactivated."
"28-3 down with two minutes to go in the third quarter," he added, comparing the project to a losing team in a football game. "We're about to run this shit back so hard."
Edited by Andrew Hayward
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Illuvium token price surged for the third consecutive day, reaching its highest point since February 14 as the Pro League started.
Summary
Illuvium price jumped after the developers released details of the Pro League. The event will run from August 3, with the main event ending in December. Technicals point to more upside, with the potential price target being at $41. Illuvium (ILV) rose to a high of $23.65, up 160% from its lowest level this year. The surge came alongside a 3,200% spike in daily volume to $344 million, well above its $124 million market capitalization.
Illuvium Pro League kicks off The ILV price spiked after the developers launched the 2025 edition of the Illuvium Pro League. The league will include three tournaments: IPL 250, IPL 500, and IPL 1000, with various qualification paths to the main event.
A two-point system will be in play: IPL points, earned from tournaments, and RLP, accumulated through the ranked ladder. The season begins August 16 and culminates in a world event in December.
IPL 250 will feature 32 players and a $2,000 prize pool. IPL 500 will host 64 players and offer $5,000, while the IPL 1000 will be an invite-only event with 64 players. Additional “last call” and “last chance” events will provide final opportunities to qualify.
The main event in December will involve 64 players, with 32 earning a payout from the total $250,000 prize pool.
ILV’s rally was also fueled by on-chain data showing increased accumulation by smart money investors. According to Nansen, these investors now hold over 91,000 ILV tokens, a significant rise from a month ago. Meanwhile, the ILV supply on exchanges has dropped from 2.81 million to 2.74 million.
Meanwhile, the supply of ILV tokens in exchanges has dropped to 2.74 million from last month’s high of 2.81 million.
ILV price surged after forming a double-bottom pattern Illuvium price chart | Source: crypto.news The daily chart shows that the ILV price dropped to a low of $9.7, where it formed a double-bottom pattern whose neckline was at $18, its highest point on May 10.
The token has since moved above its 50-day moving average and briefly crossed the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement level. The most likely scenario is continued upside leading into the tournament’s start, followed by a potential pullback.
Illuvium (ILV) has experienced a sharp price increase of 60% over the past 24 hours, currently trading at $24.41.
The surge in price comes ahead of the much-anticipated Illuvium Pro League 2025, set to begin on August 16. Investors have flocked to the altcoin in response, but the bullish spike has also triggered significant selling.
Illuvium Could Be Looking At DeclineThe Relative Strength Index (RSI) for ILV currently sits above 70.0, placing the token in the overbought zone. This suggests that a price reversal could be imminent. Historically, when the RSI nears or crosses this threshold, ILV’s price has seen pullbacks, albeit short-term.
As the excitement around the Illuvium Pro League cools, the overbought condition could lead to selling pressure. The elevated RSI signals that the asset is potentially due for a correction, especially given the fast rise in price. This can lead to investors cashing out and triggering short-term declines.
ILV RSI. Source: TradingViewIlluvium’s age consumed metric, which tracks Long-Term Holders (LTH) behavior, has spiked recently, marking the largest increase in the last three months. A high age consumed metric signals that LTHs are selling their holdings, capitalizing on the price surge.
Given the significant impact LTHs have on ILV’s price due to their large holdings, their selling activity can put downward pressure on the altcoin.
ILV Age Consumed. Source: SantimentILV Price SkyrocketsILV price shot up by nearly 60% in the last 24 hours, currently trading at $24.41. The altcoin crossed the $24.19 resistance and is facing the barrier of $27.01.
Marking a 6-month high, ILV will likely not continue its uptrend, considering the above-mentioned factors. The altcoin could end up falling back down to $19.56, invalidating the bullish thesis and wiping recent gains.
For token TA and market updates: Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.
ILV Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewOn the other hand, if the altcoin notes surprising demand it could make its way past $27.01 to head towards $30.00. This would invalidating the bullish thesis and enable the altcoin to secure its recent gains.
PANews reported on November 21st that, according to official Illuvium news, Illuvium has deployed Staking v3 on the Base chain, bringing a faster and smoother on-chain staking experience. Illuvium is an interoperable blockchain game universe consisting of four games: the strategy battle game *Arena*, the open-world MMO *Overworld*, the land management game *Zero*, and the social collection platform *Beyond*. User progress can be shared across all games. Staking v3 has been fully optimized for both new and existing players and is now live.
Welcome to Deathmatch, a competitive autobattler from Illuvium where every decision matters and every match can permanently reshape your roster.
In Deathmatch, winning is temporary.
Survival is everything.
Each match begins with 10 players in a single free for all battle.
Every player selects a Challenger and chooses a starting position on the battlefield.
Once combat begins, everything is automated. There are no inputs, no adjustments, and no control after the match starts. Your Challenger fights until elimination or victory.
When the dust settles, players are ranked by placement. Survival, rewards, and permadeath outcomes are all determined by final position and specific revive rules.
Every Challenger is built for combat, but no two are identical.
Some focus on raw damage. Others rely on sustain, control effects, or timing based bursts powered by Omega abilities, which can completely shift a fight.
A Challenger’s strength is defined by:
Health, representing total survivability in combat
Attack, representing basic damage output
Omega Ability, representing a unique combat defining skill
Tier and Stage, representing baseline power level
TPI Genetic Modifier, representing up to 100 percent bonus scaling
Challenger power is capped between 10 and 50 base power, with modifiers applied on top of that limit.
Even at maximum build, outcomes are still heavily influenced by positioning, matchups, and combat dynamics.
Deathmatch is not only about winning. It is about what you are willing to risk for potential upside.
Every match carries permadeath mechanics, meaning Challengers can be permanently removed from circulation depending on performance and revive outcomes.
SKIRMISH is the only active game mode currently available.
It is a 10 player free for all battle royale with two different leverage modalities.
FREE Mode and STANDARD Mode.
Both modes share the same combat system, but differ in cost, rewards, and survival pressure.
Placement outcomes and revive rules are determined after each SKIRMISH match.
STANDARD Mode outcomes
FREE Mode outcomes
Across both modes, the Challenger that achieves first blood is always revived.
This introduces an additional layer of strategy where early aggression can secure survival even if final placement is poor.
Understanding the CurrenciesSkulls
Skulls are a withdrawable currency pegged to 0.01 USD each. They are used for entry fees, rewards, and ecosystem purchases, and can be cashed out.
Bones
Bones are a non withdrawable utility currency earned primarily through FREE Mode. They are used for packs, resurrection mechanics, Challenger Power boosting, Jackpot related systems, and cosmetic or utility features.
FREE Mode is designed as a disposal and efficiency system for your collection.
There is no entry cost.
Instead, players can send weaker or duplicate Challengers into combat where survival is unlikely, but not impossible.
In return, you earn Bones, a utility currency used across the ecosystem.
Key intent of FREE Mode:
A place to burn weak Challengers you do not need
A way to convert excess collection weight into utility value
A high risk environment where most Challengers will not return
Survival rules:
Only first place is guaranteed survival
Second and third place have a 50 percent revive chance
Fourth to tenth place are permanently eliminated unless overridden by first blood rule
FREE Mode is high volatility by design. It rewards willingness to sacrifice units for long term value generation.
STANDARD ModeSTANDARD Mode requires a 100 Skulls entry fee, approximately 1 dollar.
Players compete for:
900 Skulls distributed as match rewards
A progressive Jackpot system
A more controlled permadeath environment compared to FREE Mode
Jackpot mechanics:
Each non winning match adds 70 Skulls to the Jackpot
The Jackpot has a 1 percent trigger chance
When triggered, it resets to 1000 Skulls
STANDARD Mode survival rules follow placement based revive probabilities, making performance more consistently rewarded compared to FREE Mode.
SKIRMISH is only the beginning of the Deathmatch ecosystem.
Future expansions may include larger scale battles, team based formats, clan systems, base building mechanics, expanded Omega ability systems, and deeper integration of visual evolution systems such as Holo and Dark Holo variants.
The system is designed to evolve alongside its players.
Deathmatch is not just a game mode.
It is a structured risk economy built around survival, sacrifice, and consequence.
Every match produces winners, survivors, and permanent losses that cannot be recovered.
The question is not only whether you can win.
It is what you are willing to lose in order to do it.
This update introduces The CRYPT, a new hub where players can spend Bones on powerful utilities, boosters, and even bring fallen challengers back into the fight. We're also sharing a preview of our next major milestone: Daily and Weekly Quests, a new progression system designed to reward regular participation and long-term engagement.
Let's dive in.
The CRYPT is where you can exchange your Bones for a variety of valuable utilities and enhancements. The following actions are available:
Open a Bones Pack for 100 BONES and receive a selection of rewards.
Increase the Revival Chance of a specific lineup by 10% in exchange for an additional entry fee paid in Bones.
Examples:
STANDARD lineup: +10% Revival Chance for 10 BONESADVANCED lineup: +10% Revival Chance for 50 BONESIncrease a challenger’s Power by up to +10%.
Power-boosted challengers cannot exceed 90 Power.Power values above 90 can only be achieved through natural progression and cannot be obtained via boosters.The Bone cost of a Power Boost depends on the challenger’s current Power level.The cost distribution is shown in the table below:
CHALLENGER BOOSTER COSTS
POWER
BONES / %
MAX BONE COST (+10 POWER CAP)
10-19
1
10
20-29
2
20
30-39
3
30
40-49
4
40
50-59
5
50
60-69
10
100
70-79
20
200
80-90
40
400
Increase your chances of winning the Jackpot for a specific lineup by applying a 2x or 3x Jackpot Multiplier.
2x Jackpot Chance: Costs 10% of the lineup's entry fee, paid in Bones.3x Jackpot Chance: Costs 25% of the lineup's entry fee, paid in Bones.These boosters apply only to the selected lineup and enhance your odds of securing the Jackpot reward.
Bring a fallen challenger back into the fight for 300 BONES.
Each challenger can only be resurrected once.Resurrected challengers return to Deathmatch and can compete again on your behalf.Important: Upon the release of this feature, players will have a 24-hour grace period to resurrect eligible challengers and transfer any unwanted challengers back to Illuvidex.
After this 24-hour window expires:
Resurrected challengers can no longer be removed from Deathmatch.They will become permanently bound to the Deathmatch Realm.Transfers back to Illuvidex will no longer be possible.After The CRYPT features, our next objective is to introduce Daily and Weekly Quests.
Quests will vary in difficulty and offer different rewards based on their challenge level. Players can have up to 3 Daily Quests and 3 Weekly Quests active at any given time.
Daily Quests: Every day at 00:00 UTC, one new Daily Quest will be added to your quest pool for each available slot, up to the maximum of 3 active Daily Quests.Weekly Quests: Every Monday at 00:00 UTC, one new Weekly Quest will be added for each available slot in your Weekly Quest pool, up to the maximum of 3 active Weekly Quests.Players may reroll one quest of each type per day (one Daily Quest and one Weekly Quest). Once a quest has been rerolled, no additional rerolls of that type will be available until the next daily reset.0
The Graveyard turns every fallen Challenger into progress toward a shared collection system across FREE, STANDARD, and ADVANCED leagues. Once players complete the collection at least once, they become eligible for weekly rewards funded by Bones and Jackpot contributions. The more collections a player completes, the greater their weight and share of the weekly Graveyard pool.
Purpose
The Graveyard is a collection feature where players collect dead Challengers.Progress is tracked in all leagues:FREESTANDARDADVANCEDKilling challengers in any of these leagues contributes towards a joint Graveyard collection state, eligibility, weighting, and reward pool.Rewards accumulate from Monday–Sunday and are distributed every Monday at 00:00.
League
Graveyard Contribution
FREE
2 Bones per game
STANDARD
1% of each game's Jackpot
ADVANCED
1% of each game's Jackpot
*Jackpot clarification: Instead of 7% going entirely to the Jackpot:
6% goes to the Jackpot1% goes to the Graveyard poolPlayers qualify for rewards if they have completed the Graveyard collection at least once.
A player's share of rewards depends on their weighting, which increases with collection completions.
Collection Type
Weight
Color Collection
1×
Holo Collection
50×
Dark Holo Collection
2000×
Each completed collection adds its corresponding weight.
Calculate the total reward pool for the week.Sum all eligible players' weights.Divide the pool by total weight to get reward per weight unit.Each player receives:Reward = Player Weight × Weekly Reward per Weight Unit
10,000 FREE games, 500 STANDARD games and 100 ADVANCED games.Prize Pool Breakdown:
- FREE league contribution = 10,000 games x 2 Bones / Game = 20,000 Bones.
- STANDARD league contribution = 500 games x 1% Prize Pool x 600 Skulls average Prize Pool = 3,000 Skulls.
- ADVANCED league contribution = 100 games x 1% Prize Pool x 7000 Skulls average Prize Pool = 7,000 Skulls.5 eligible players:Player 1: completed Color collection once → 1×Player 2: completed Color collection three times → 3×Player 3: completed Color collection 41 times → 41×Player 4: completed Color collection 5 times and Holo 1 Time → 55xPlayer 5: completed Holo collection two times → 100xTotal weight = 200×
A thrilling rumor is sweeping through Web3: Pokémon might land on SUI! As a result, the SUI token has soared by 60%, sparking fresh hope. Decentralized gaming, once slowed by tricky interfaces, is roaring back to life. With optimized blockchains and stunning AAA games leading the charge, the future looks bright. Join the revolution now. The adventure is just kicking off!
Why Is Web3 Gaming Making a Comeback? Web3 gaming is staging a powerful comeback, driven by key advancements. First, UX/UI has matured significantly. Simplified wallets, such as Immutable X’s, and intuitive platforms make entry seamless. Cryptic interfaces are history, so Web2 gamers can now jump in with ease and explore without barriers.
Next, L2/EVM blockchains are seeing wider adoption. For instance, Immutable X cuts out gas fees entirely, while Beam delivers instant transactions. These scalable solutions draw in both studios and players. According to DappRadar, L2 gaming activity surged by 45% in 2023, proving Web3’s growing accessibility for all.
Finally, AAA titles in beta are stealing the spotlight. Illuvium, with its NFT-based creatures, competes with top Web2 games. Meanwhile, some platforms are developing titles like Ashes of Mankind, promising jaw-dropping quality. These visually stunning games attract gamers and investors alike. Decentralized gaming isn’t just a vision anymore, it’s a reality, and its unstoppable momentum is lighting the way forward!
The 5 Projects Redefining Web3 Gaming Ultra Ultra is not just another blockchain gaming project, it’s designed to redefine the gaming landscape entirely. Much like Netflix transformed streaming and Spotify revolutionized music, Ultra is creating the ultimate operating system for gaming. This all-in-one ecosystem integrates a launcher, store, marketplace, and competitive tournament infrastructure, enabling everything in one place.
Its carbon-neutral Ultra EVM blockchain powers lightning-fast, scalable, and gas-free transactions. Designed with accessibility in mind, Ultra delivers a seamless experience that feels familiar to Web2 gamers, while offering the true ownership and innovation that define Web3, uniting both worlds into one cohesive platform.
At the heart of the ecosystem is $UOS, Ultra’s utility token. It fuels in-game purchases, rewards, staking mechanisms, and facilitates player-driven economies through NFTs and tradable assets. Within Ultra’s Ashes of Mankind universe, players can enjoy two parallel experiences: Empires, tailored for Web3-native users, and Citadels, a AAA-quality experience built for the mainstream gaming crowd.
Ultra’s tools and open APIs empower developers and publishers, while community incentives attract creators and streamers. With $12 million in funding and ambitions to onboard millions of gamers, Ultra is shaping a new standard in digital ownership. The journey begins now. Discover more on X (@Ultra_io) or dive into the platform (https://ultra.io/).
Immutable X (IMX) Immutable X, a Layer 2 solution on Ethereum, is reshaping Web3 gaming. It offers zero gas fees, perfect for NFTs and TCGs like Gods Unchained, which attracts thousands with seamless play. Its powerful SDK lets studios build games effortlessly.
In 2024, IMX hit a $2.7 billion market cap, thanks to its EVM compatibility and carbon efficiency. Partnerships, such as with GameStop, bolster its ecosystem. Immutable X is leading the charge for decentralized gaming, and the horizon shines brightly.
Beam Beam, a gaming-first Layer 1 blockchain, prioritizes speed and efficiency. It delivers instant transactions and built-in NFTs, winning over players and studios alike. Created by Merit Circle, Beam provides the Beam DevKit, which simplifies game development.
In 2023, its $BEAM token soared, fueled by a growing community. With smooth microtransactions and a polished UX, Beam appeals to Web2 gamers. It blends gameplay with a tokenized economy, setting new standards. Explore Beam’s world, it’s calling you to join the fun.
Illuvium Illuvium, a AAA RPG on Immutable X, combines creature collection with thrilling PvE/PvP battles. Its Illuvials—unique NFT creatures—captivate players. Launched on Epic Games Store in 2024, it raised $60 million. The $ILV economy, featuring staking, draws investors.
AI-powered NPCs, enabled by Virtuals Protocol, boost immersion. Still in beta, Illuvium already rivals Pokémon with its polished gameplay and stunning visuals. It’s a shining beacon for Web3 gaming, leading the way forward.
SuperVerse SuperVerse brings Web3 gaming together through its $SUPER token. Previously SuperFarm, it rebranded in 2024 and now links games across chains like Polygon. Its NFT marketplace, GigaMart, and social game Impostors engage 750,000 members.
A staking DAO rewards the community, while projects like Sidus Heroes thrive on its platform. SuperVerse enhances interoperability and liquidity with a shared economy. It makes Web3 gaming both accessible and enjoyable. Step into SuperVerse—the universe awaits you.
Competitive Advantages of Web3 Gaming Web3 gaming stands out with unique features that transform the experience for everyone:
Cross-chain Compatibility and L2/EVM Integration Web3 blockchains, such as Immutable X and Beam, leverage bridges like LayerZero for seamless interoperability. L2/EVM solutions cut costs and boost transaction speeds significantly. For example, some platforms provide gasless interactions, while SUI employs Move for smoother operations. This connectivity links ecosystems, allowing players to move freely across games and chains. Web3 gaming opens up a boundless playground for everyone to explore.
Tokenized Economy Microtransactions, staking, and secondary markets energize Web3. Tokens like $ILV (Illuvium) and $SUPER (SuperVerse) reward players. NFTs, tradable on GigaMart or IlluviDEX, create vibrant economies. In 2023, play-to-earn revenue reached $1.5 billion, according to DappRadar. Players earn while playing, and creators monetize. This economy is redefining gaming—and it’s growing fast.
Unified Experience Web3 serves gamers, developers, and publishers. Ultra offers a launcher and tournaments, while SuperVerse includes staking and marketplaces. SDKs like Immutable X’s simplify development. Streamers benefit from ambassador programs like Ultra Creator. This synergy builds a tight-knit community. Web3 gaming isn’t just a pastime—it’s a thriving ecosystem where everyone shines.
Who Should Try It—and How? Web3 gaming is open to all, with easy onboarding. For Web2 players, try dedicated clients. Some platforms offer a seamless experience with games and marketplaces. IlluviDEX lets you collect NFTs for Illuvium. Beam Wallet provides a user-friendly interface. Get test tokens from official faucets to start playing at no cost.
For creators and streamers, opportunities abound. Esports tournaments are perfect for streamers seeking visibility. SuperVerse offers tradable NFTs on GigaMart, ideal for creators. Ambassador programs reward engagement. These ecosystems value creativity and community interaction.
For developers, open-source tools fuel innovation. The Immutable X SDK (immutable.com) speeds up NFT game development. Docs for Beam DevKit (beam.network) provide accessible APIs. These well-documented resources make Web3 development easier than ever.
Simple steps: Create a wallet (SUI Wallet, MetaMask). Get tokens via exchanges like Binance or official faucets. Log into the client (like IlluviDEX). Dive in! Web3 gaming is just a click away—and the future is being written now. Decentralized gaming is rising again—but practical info is key. Explore top platforms to experience this revolution. Join Ultra’s Discord community, test betas, follow updates on X. Web3 is rewriting the rules of gaming—and you’re invited to help write the story. Jump into the arena, the adventure begins now!
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The Cointribune editorial team unites its voices to address topics related to cryptocurrencies, investment, the metaverse, and NFTs, while striving to answer your questions as best as possible.
