TL;DR
- Dragginz, the ICP blockchain MMORPG created by Neopets co-founders Adam and Donna Powell, has entered a temporary hibernation phase.
- The decision comes after a 63% drop in the ICP token price in 2025, which created significant financial pressure for the development team.
- Despite the pause, the team remains dedicated to the project, emphasizing that Dragginz is a passion-driven endeavor and will resume once conditions improve.
Dragginz, known for its immersive blockchain MMORPG world, is halting development for now. Teams focused on world-building and 3D design have been asked to pause operations. While this slows progress, the project itself is not being canceled. Adam and Donna Powell, recognized for creating Neopets, continue to oversee the project and maintain an active vision for its eventual completion. The pause primarily affects creative workflows rather than the core roadmap of Dragginz.
NFT Integration Efforts Advance
Prior to the hibernation, the Powells shifted attention to Toko, an NFT creation and marketplace platform currently in alpha. Toko is designed to support Dragginz with advanced NFT functionalities, enabling fully on-chain assets with dynamic capabilities rather than static images. The team explained that these developments were essential for the game’s mechanics, allowing players to truly own functional in-game assets that interact seamlessly within the blockchain environment.
Financial Pressures Drive Decision
The ICP token’s 63% decline this year placed unexpected strain on sustaining Dragginz’s high-cost creative operations. The team cited this market drop as the primary factor for the temporary pause, emphasizing that the move is strategic rather than a sign of abandonment. By adjusting operations now, the project aims to ensure long-term viability and maintain the quality standards expected from a blockchain MMORPG of this scale.
Future Prospects Remain Bright
Despite the setback, optimism remains high. The development team reassures the community that Dragginz will return stronger, fueled by passion and innovation. Statements from the Powells underscore their commitment:
“This isn’t the end of Dragginz, far from it. Dragginz is our passion project, and we will make it the best game we possibly can. It’s just going to take a little longer.”
The team is prepared to resume development once both financial and operational stability are restored.
Blockchain Gaming Momentum Continues
Dragginz represents a broader trend of blockchain MMORPGs attempting to merge traditional gaming with decentralized ownership. Its eventual return could showcase advanced NFT integrations, setting a benchmark for future crypto gaming projects and reaffirming the ICP ecosystem’s potential to support complex, player-driven worlds.
