Web3 Archives

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

A web3 free-to-play survival game found to be a front for installing malware on your PC has finally been removed from Steam

The free-to-play web3 game PirateFi attracted over 7,000 players upon its launch on Steam but was swiftly taken down due to concerns over "malicious files." Valve warned players that their systems might be at risk after downloading the game. Users reported suspected malware in the developer's uploads, and initial mixed reviews included positive comments from accounts with minimal gameplay experience, raising doubts about their authenticity. Negative feedback followed from newly created accounts, with allegations of data theft and unauthorized spending from Steam wallets. A Telegram account reportedly offered individuals a chance to moderate the game, suggesting an effort to inflate player numbers. Despite claims of a large player base, SteamDB analytics indicated that the game's peak concurrent players never exceeded five, with estimates of downloads ranging from 800 to 1,500.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

LINE NEXT Brings Blockchain Apps to LINE Messenger with Mini Dapps Launch

LINE NEXT has launched Mini Dapps and a Dapp Portal within LINE Messenger, allowing users to access decentralized applications directly in the app without needing separate downloads. The initial launch includes 32 Mini Dapps, with plans to expand to over 1,000 by the end of 2025. Notable Dapps include games like Bombie, Cattea, and Captain Tsubasa -RIVALS-, as well as a wellness Dapp called Superz. Users can trade virtual assets and engage in NFT transactions through an in-app wallet. Youngsu Ko, CEO of LINE NEXT, highlighted that accessibility is key for Web3 adoption. Additionally, a limited-time reward program will allow users to earn KAIA tokens for interacting with the Mini Dapps.

BetaBeacon

December 24, 2024

Worldshards, the sandbox MMORPG, launches in-game economy with pre-launch airdrops for active players

Proxy Tokens will be the primary currency for NFT crafting and upgrades in the game, obtainable through gameplay and fully convertible to game tokens at a 1:1 ratio during the TGE in early 2025.

Tech Optimizer

December 16, 2024

AI-powered deception: The sneaky macOS malware masquerading as your next video call

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used by cybercriminals to enhance their scams, exemplified by a malware called Realst that masquerades as video-calling software. This malware targets macOS and Windows users and has been active for about four months. The hackers behind Realst operate under the fake company name "Meetio" and have used various aliases. They employ social engineering tactics, often contacting victims through platforms like Telegram, presenting fraudulent business opportunities, and leading them to download the malware from a deceptive website. Once installed, Realst scans for sensitive information, organizes it, and sends it to a remote server. It can extract credentials from applications like Telegram and web browsers. To protect against such malware, users are advised to verify software sources, be cautious of unexpected contacts, enable two-factor authentication, use strong passwords, keep software updated, and consider personal data removal services.

AppWizard

December 12, 2024

Hytopia pivots away from Minecraft to become independent UGC platform

Hytopia has ceased development on a Minecraft-compatible client and will evolve into an independent platform with its own game client, Hytopia Proper. Originally part of NFT Worlds, which launched in October 2021, Hytopia aimed to integrate Minecraft creations with blockchain technology but had to pivot after Minecraft banned blockchain use. In late 2023, Hytopia transitioned from Polygon to Arbitrum. The team expressed that pursuing Minecraft compatibility was resource-intensive and viewed the pivot positively, noting rapid development advancements. The new platform will feature a browser-based interface with user-generated content tools and will operate independently from Minecraft servers, allowing for a faster development cycle. The decision was also influenced by concerns over scrutiny from Microsoft regarding their GitHub repositories.

BetaBeacon

November 7, 2024

Play Games, Earn Bitcoin: The Best iOS and Android Games That Pay You BTC

Bitcoin Miner is an iOS and Android game where players mine fake coins but earn real Bitcoin.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

How AI will shape the games industry: Exclusive insights from the AI Gamechangers newsletter

OpenAI recently achieved record investments in AI, with ongoing funding announcements for AI in gaming. The Pocket Gamer Connects and Big Screen Gaming conferences featured over 10 hours of AI-related content, indicating strong industry interest. The AI Gamechangers newsletter was launched to inform readers about AI's impact on gaming, covering various platforms and aspects of game development. It offers weekly interviews with industry innovators and curated news on AI in gaming. Notable contributors to the newsletter include professionals from Charisma.ai, Quicksave, Kinetix, and others, discussing topics like interactive narratives, AI in game studios, and legal implications for intellectual property. The consensus among industry leaders is that AI will significantly impact gaming, but its implementation should enhance human creativity. Additionally, AI technologies may transform legal processes in mergers and acquisitions by streamlining document analysis. An upcoming AI-powered cozy game, AuraVale, is also mentioned, along with future interview topics related to AI in game development.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

Ubisoft quietly launches blockchain RPG with playable NFTs priced up to $63K

Ubisoft has launched its first player-versus-player blockchain RPG, Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles, featuring characters that can be purchased as NFTs using in-game currency or cryptocurrency. The most expensive character, Inquisitor Swift Zealot, is priced at ,372.19, while another character, Glowing Beast, costs ,100, with the majority priced at ,000 or less. Despite a 95% decline in the NFT market last year, Ubisoft is promoting this game as part of its NFT initiative announced in July. The game is part of a growing trend of blockchain and web3 games that include NFTs. Traditional free-to-play games attract larger audiences compared to blockchain titles, which may appeal mainly to NFT enthusiasts.

AppWizard

October 30, 2024

Ubisoft has quietly launched an NFT game for PC

On October 23, 2024, Ubisoft launched “Champion Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles,” a competitive multiplayer turn-based RPG that allows players to claim champions through the purchase of magical figurines represented as NFTs. These figurines can be acquired using in-game currency or cryptocurrency. The game was developed in collaboration with Japanese web3 studio Double Jump Tokyo and is integrated into the Oasys Layer 2 HOME Verse blockchain, with over 75,000 heroes minted at prices ranging from accessible to ,000. The game is free-to-play, requiring only a Ubisoft account and a compatible blockchain wallet. Ubisoft has been exploring blockchain technology for three years and has faced challenges in the NFT space, including backlash upon its initial interest in blockchain gaming.

AppWizard

October 25, 2024

Uprising ditches gaming L2 to publish mid-core games on PC/console

Uprising Labs has shifted its focus from developing an L2 blockchain for gaming to publishing and launching high-quality web3 games. The company believes the web3 landscape needs more great games instead of new blockchains. Uprising Labs has minted a genesis NFT collection of 1,111 unique tokens, which promise long-term utility. Additionally, the company plans to integrate web3 features into its tactical naval warfare game, Maelstrom, available on Steam since 2019.