TL;DR
- Atari launches the Onchain Arcade on the Base Ethereum network, featuring classic games like Asteroids and Breakout.
- Illuvium will release three interconnected games on July 25, allowing asset transfers between them.
- The Web3 gaming sector experienced a 28% decline in June, impacted by falling Bitcoin and Ether prices.
In a moment when the blockchain gaming market is going through a challenging phase, Atari has decided to reinforce its presence with the launch of the Onchain Arcade on the Base Ethereum network.
This initiative, developed in collaboration with Coinbase and Stack, offers players the chance to relive classics like Asteroids and Breakout on a modern and accessible platform.
Users can play and compete in these iconic games, with the chance to win prizes such as the Atari 2600+ and game codes. Additionally, the leaderboard will update weekly until August 30, providing extra incentive for ongoing participation.
On the other hand, Illuvium, a game studio with a notable track record in fundraising, is set to release on July 25 three new titles: Illuvium: Overworld, Illuvium: Arena, and Illuvium: Zero.
These games are part of an interconnected ecosystem where players can transfer progress and items between different titles. All assets generated in these games will be registered on the Ethereum blockchain, reinforcing Illuvium’s commitment to ownership and interoperability in the blockchain gaming world.
However, the context for these initiatives is not the most favorable. In June, the Web3 gaming sector experienced a significant 28% drop due to the decrease in the value of major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether. This drop has negatively affected gaming tokens, and daily activity in some popular games like Pixels has also dramatically decreased.
Networks like Ronin and Polygon, which previously led in terms of daily active users, have recorded notable declines in their market share, reflecting a worrying trend in blockchain gaming adoption and engagement.
Challenges and Prospects for the Sector
The decline in the blockchain gaming sector’s value highlights a series of challenges facing the industry.
Despite the innovative efforts of companies like Atari and Illuvium, the economic environment and the cryptocurrency market remain key factors in the success of these initiatives.
The drop in Bitcoin and Ether prices has had a direct impact on blockchain-based games, affecting both developers and players. Networks that had shown solid growth in the past are now struggling to maintain user activity, which could influence the industry’s future.
In this context, Atari’s initiative with the Onchain Arcade and Illuvium’s launch of new games represent attempts to revitalize and diversify the offering in the blockchain gaming market.
However, the success of these efforts will largely depend on the sector’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions and the willingness of players to remain engaged with these new platforms.
The market’s evolution in the coming months will be crucial in determining whether these initiatives can overcome current challenges and contribute to the sustained growth of the Web3 gaming sector.
