The past week has been a busy one for the gaming NFT space, with several major news events taking place. Here's a roundup of some of the most notable developments:
NFT Racing Sim 'Torque Drift 2 Garage' Launches on Epic Games
Torque Drift 2 Garage, an NFT-powered racing simulator, has launched on Epic Games' early access program. The game allows players to collect, customize, and race NFT cars, earning rewards along the way. The launch of Torque Drift 2 Garage marks a significant step forward for NFT gaming, as it brings NFT-based gaming to a wider audience.
Mutant Ape Planet NFT Creator Admits $2.9 Million Rug Pull Scam
Aurelien Michel, the creator of the Mutant Ape Planet NFT collection, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a $2.9 million rug pull scam. Michel admitted to luring investors into buying Mutant Ape Planet NFTs with false promises of high returns, before abandoning the project and disappearing with the money. This case highlights the importance of conducting thorough due diligence before investing in NFTs.
Van Gogh Artworks Minted as NFTs Sell for Over $2.5 Million
A series of Van Gogh-themed NFTs has sold for over $2.5 million at auction, marking a potential resurgence in the NFT market. The NFTs, which feature digital recreations of Van Gogh's famous paintings, were sold by the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. This sale suggests that there may be renewed interest in NFTs as a way to own and trade digital art.
GameStop and Illuvium Launch 20,000 NFTs
GameStop, the video game retailer, has partnered with Illuvium, an NFT-based game, to launch 20,000 NFTs. The NFTs will be available for purchase through GameStop's website and will give holders access to exclusive in-game content. This collaboration is a sign of growing interest in NFTs from established players in the gaming industry.
PWC Report Predicts Growth of NFT Gaming
A new report from PwC, a global consulting firm, predicts that NFT gaming will grow to a $13.2 billion market by 2027. The report states that NFT gaming is expected to be driven by the increasing popularity of play-to-earn games, which allow players to earn cryptocurrency or other rewards by playing.
Additional News
- The Citadel, a blockchain gaming company, has secured $3.3 million in seed funding.
- Mojo Melee, an NFT-based fighting game, has launched on gaming hub Kongregate.
- ZBD, a blockchain gaming company, has integrated Bitcoin rewards into Fumb Games' mobile title SpaceY.
- Ubisoft, a major video game publisher, has partnered with Immutable, an NFT infrastructure company, for a "new gaming experience."
- LootRush, an NFT rental platform, has launched to scale NFT rentals.
- As OpenSea, an NFT marketplace, cuts staff by 50%, Yuga Labs, the company behind the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection, and Magic Eden, another NFT marketplace, have announced new NFT marketplaces.
- Animoca Brands, a Web3 company, has acquired TinyTap, an educational game platform, to integrate the Baby Shark IP into its metaverse.
- Ex-Sony and Apple executive Nicola Sebastiani has joined The Sandbox, an NFT-powered metaverse game, as chief content officer.
- Ape Accelerator, an investment program for ApeCoin-based projects, has gone live to boost ApeCoin adoption.
- Mythical Games, an NFT gaming company, has dropped an era-ending Blanko NFT ahead of its mobile shift.
- The Sandbox has bought 111 LAND NFTs to reward its most talented creators.
- Team Secret, an esports organization, has joined Xai, a blockchain gaming platform.
- Pro-wrestling PVP card battler Brawlers is now live on Epic Games.