Cryptocurrency Gaming Weekly Update: Gala Eliminates 'The Walking Dead', 'Flappy Bird' Leaves Crypto Scene

Revamped Edition: GameSpot's Hotspot for Crypto Gaming, Art, and Entertainment

Welcome to NEXUS Stayin' on top of the crypto gaming scene ain't easy - new games, token drops, market shifts, and whatnot. But don't worry, buddy! We've got ya back over here at GameSpot's GG. This weekly roundup sums up the essential crypto gaming news from the past week, along with a healthy dose of other tidbits from the blockchain universe.

Headliners

The Walking Dead taken out: Last week, Gala Games announced the end for The Walking Dead: Empires, their multiplayer survival game that relied on Ethereum NFTs. Shutdown date set for July 31st. Players could previously purchase NFT assets like weapons, supplies, and property deeds, with some assets fetching as much as $67,000 during the NFT boom of 2021. As compensation, Gala is set to distribute NFTs from other games with equivalent functionality to current owners, though some users have voiced concerns over the value of these new assets on social media.

Flappy Bird: No crypto takeoff: The classic mobile game Flappy Bird has made its way onto the Epic Games Store for Android, sans any crypto features. Previous plans included a token for the Telegram version, but this new release maintains the original tap-to-navigate gameplay and introduces a quest mode. The prior Telegram version faced heavy backlash from players, and the release was shuttered in early April. Flappy Bird isn't ready to let go of crypto just yet, as the official Telegram channel recently stated during a community call that "the Flappy Bird brand belongs to the community."

MapleStory N takes off: Nexpace, funded by Nexon, is set to release MapleStory N on May 15th, bringing blockchain integration to the beloved 2D side-scroller. Powered by its Avalanche L1 chain "Henesys," the game allows players to own and trade in-game assets on-chain. The 22-year-old MapleStory franchise boasts over 250 million global users, making this the first official game in the MapleStory Universe ecosystem to make the move to blockchain.

Sui gaming stablecoin takes flight: Playtron announced plans for the Q4 2024 release of Game Dollar, a specialized stablecoin designed for gaming on the Sui blockchain. This token will facilitate purchases, subscriptions, and rewards across Playtron's GameOS ecosystem, including the upcoming SuiPlay0X1 handheld console. Unlike traditional stablecoins, Game Dollar will be programmable at the use case level, backed by short-term U.S. Treasuries, and incentivize specific user behaviors.

Quick Hits

The Polygon version of Zed Run, an early Ethereum NFT game, has been revitalized on Base.
The relaxed iOS rules for external payments and buying NFTs, enforced by an antitrust court ruling, could benefit mobile crypto games.
Solana NFT project Claynosaurz is expanding to Sui, and their upcoming mobile game will also land on the SuiPlay0X1 handheld device.
A Black Mirror token is set to launch, tied to a social campaign that includes an AI assistant.
Ubisoft has teamed with LayerZero to launch a network for moving gaming assets across different blockchains.
One Fight Arena, an officially licensed MMA league game, launched on iOS and Android last week with optional Sui crypto and NFT features.
Bitget took legal action against wallets involved in an alleged $20 million market manipulation scheme surrounding the VOXEL gaming token.
Goblintown: Really Hard Driving launched on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Off the Grid's latest battle pass has gone live.
Ragnarok Landverse Genesis dropped its roadmap for the upcoming year.
Pixels launched PIXEL staking rewards across the main game, Pixel Dungeons, and Forgotten Runiverse.
Wemade's WEMIX token plummeted in price last week as South Korean exchanges delisted it.
Ethereum NFT game The Lost Glitches was released on Steam, though it's not yet clear how the crypto functionality functions in this version given Steam's broad NFT ban.
Ronin network creator Sky Mavis and Ragnarok: Monster World developer 0x& had a public falling out after the game expanded to an additional network, Cross.

Weekend Reads

Read on Walrus

Latest Developments in Blockchain and Gaming in Q2 2025

New Releases and Partnerships

As Q2 2025 unfolds, the integration of blockchain and gaming continues to transform:

AurealOne and DexBoss Presales - These groundbreaking projects are making a splash in blockchain gaming and DeFi. AurealOne provides immersive gaming experiences with blockchain technology, while DexBoss focuses on decentralized finance. Both have gained attention for their novel strategies in early access for blockchain gaming and DeFi[4].
Astra and Binance Partnership - Astra recently joined forces with Binance to test decentralized compliance solutions for DeFi lending. This partnership not only boosts Astra's token value but also showcases growing interest in integrating blockchain technology with traditional financial services, which may influence blockchain gaming platforms that utilize DeFi features[1].

Trends in Blockchain Gaming

Shift toward Real-World Utility - Markets are gravitating towards projects with clear real-world applications and robust governance, which could influence blockchain gaming by encouraging games with practical uses and sustainability[5].
Technological Advancements - Technologies like Cosmos's Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol are vital for multi-chain expansion in blockchain. This technology strengthens cross-platform gaming experiences by enabling seamless interactions between different blockchain networks[5].

Though specific blockchain releases in Q2 2025 are not detailed, the focus on projects with real-world applications and strong utility suggests that blockchain gaming will continue to progress with more sophisticated and integrated solutions.

In the realm of DeFi and blockchain gaming, AurealOne and DexBoss are generating buzz with their innovative presales, offering unique experiences for early adopters.
Astra's partnership with Binance paves the way for testing decentralized compliance solutions in DeFi lending, potentially influencing future blockchain gaming platforms that incorporate DeFi features.
As markets gravitate towards practical uses and sustainability, blockchain gaming projects are expected to focus on real-world applications, further integrating digital assets into daily life.
Cosmos's Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol is essential for multi-chain expansion in blockchain, enhancing cross-platform gaming interactions by enabling seamless experiences across different networks.
Digital wallets are becoming increasingly important in the world of blockchain gaming, allowing users to securely store their tokens, staking rewards, and other digital assets.
Ethereum, being a prominent player in the blockchain industry, is supporting various gaming projects, such as One Fight Arena and The Lost Glitches, through its smart contract functionality.
The crypto exchange market is evolving, with platforms like Bitget helping to regulate market manipulation schemes surrounding tokens like VOXEL, ensuring a fair and secure trading environment for all users.
With the Supreme Court of the United States recently ruling in favor of an appeals court that found restrictions on Apple Inc.’s app store violated antitrust laws, iOS may potentially become more open to external payments and NFTs, benefiting mobile crypto games.
The blockchain gaming universe is expanding, with Sui being adopted by projects like Claynosaurz, Solana, and MapleStory N, and new platforms like Nexpace joining the fray, all aiming to revolutionize the gaming experience using blockchain technology.
Stablecoins like Game Dollar are gaining traction in the blockchain gaming world, providing a more stable means for purchasing, subscribing, and earning rewards across various gaming ecosystems.
Gadgets, such as the SuiPlay0X1 handheld console, are being developed to cater specifically to the blockchain gaming market, offering an immersive portable gaming experience.
Despite the bumpy road for some projects like The Walking Dead: Empires and Flappy Bird, the integration of blockchain technology in games and entertainment continues to push boundaries, with high-profile celebrities, sports personalities, and pop-culture icons jumping on the bandwagon.
The blockchain gaming sector is moving towards mainstream adoption, with platforms like GameSpot's NEXUS serving as hubs for the latest news, trends, and updates in the ever-evolving world of blockchain gaming, art, and entertainment.