Pixels, the leading Web3 game on the Polygon blockchain, has made a groundbreaking decision to shift its operations to Sky Mavis’ Ronin Blockchain. This move has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, considering Pixels’ current top-ranking status on the Polygon blockchain, and it holds significant implications for both Polygon and Ronin, particularly in light of Ronin’s recovery from a past hacking incident.
Pixels, a social browser game, is set in an open farming environment where players can explore, level up their abilities, and interact with other players while completing quests. With over 1.5 million monthly on-chain transactions, 100,000+ monthly active wallets, and a daily player base exceeding 5,000, Pixels stands as the most popular Web3 game on Polygon based on the unique number of active wallets.
Sky Mavis, the creator of the immensely successful Axie Infinity, which played a pivotal role in igniting the blockchain gaming trend in 2021, has promised various benefits for Pixels’ transition to Ronin. These advantages include lower petrol fees, access to marketing and consulting support, and the utilization of the Mavis hub, Ronin’s platform for distributing Web3 games.
Ronin, developed by Sky Mavis, is a blockchain specifically tailored for Ethereum virtual machine-based games. It has evolved to accommodate millions of daily users, and in March, Sky Mavis began extending the use of Ronin to other game companies. These companies can harness Sky Mavis’ products and expertise to create successful Web3 games that emphasize ownership, community engagement, and interactive gameplay. Notable game companies such as Directive Games, Tribes, Bali Games, Bowled.io, SkyVu, and Zillion Whales have already expressed their commitment to building on Ronin.
Luke Barwikowski, CEO of Pixels.online, emphasized the strategic nature of this decision, stating that “Sky Mavis is the only company that has reached scalability in Web3 gaming, so partnering with the team and moving to Ronin made a lot of sense.” He highlighted the hands-on experience and proven track record of the Sky Mavis team as key factors in the decision to migrate Pixels to Ronin.
Aleksander Larsen, COO of Sky Mavis, highlighted Pixels as the second most popular Web3 game among real players, just behind Axie Infinity. Larsen expressed excitement about Pixels joining Ronin and offering access to infrastructure and technology. He also hinted at the potential for the community to build an “Axie place” in the future, facilitating gatherings for players.
Sky Mavis cited its impressive scalability in Web3 gaming as a key factor in Pixels’ migration. Studios like Pixels are drawn to Ronin for its value-added services and partner support, underlining the attractiveness of the Ronin blockchain for game developers.
Furthermore, Immutable zkEVM, a gaming-focused chain, is set to go live on Polygon’s mainnet, indicating the competitive landscape in blockchain gaming. Similar to Polygon, Ronin operates with the Ethereum Virtual Machine and focuses on gaming, making it a formidable player in the space alongside Immutable zkEVM.
Pixels is not merely a game but an immersive experience that harnesses Web3 technology to offer gamers true digital control. It has seamlessly integrated NFTs into its ecosystem, incorporating web3 communities and transforming over 65 NFT collections into playable game characters. The Pixels team is also actively building its Web3 infrastructure, aiming to provide users with the best possible experience while allowing other Web3 games to use it as a foundational platform for blockchain development.
In summary, Pixels’ decision to migrate from Polygon to Ronin represents a significant turning point for both the game and the blockchain gaming industry as a whole. With the support of Sky Mavis and Ronin’s robust infrastructure, Pixels aims to continue its growth trajectory and deliver an immersive gaming experience to its players. This move underscores the dynamic nature of the blockchain gaming sector, where strategic partnerships and decisions can reshape the future of the gaming industry.
