Arbitrum Gaming Ventures, a division of the Arbitrum DAO, has invested $10 million into a group of blockchain gaming projects as part of its first major funding round.
Backed by partners Paradigm, Framework Ventures, and BITKRAFT, the initiative marks a significant step in expanding the Arbitrum ecosystem through strategic support of Web3 game developers and infrastructure.
First Cohort of Funded Projects
The funding has been distributed among five startups: Wildcard, Hyve Labs, T-Rex, Xai, and Proof of Play. These projects represent a diverse mix of genres and technologies, all aimed at pushing the boundaries of decentralized gaming.
Wildcard Leads With High-Action Strategy Gameplay
Wildcard, co-founded by Paul Bettner (creator of Age of Empires) and Katy Drake Bettner, combines card-based tactics with real-time 2v2 combat in a third-person MOBA-style environment. Social spectator features allow viewers to interact with matches in real time, creating a more immersive experience. Wildcard has already appeared on Steam and is preparing for broader player testing through alpha sign-ups.
Hyve Labs and Cross-Platform Gaming
Hyve Labs is building a Web3 rollup to allow games to be played instantly across platforms like Telegram, X, and Farcaster. The goal is to make blockchain gaming as easy and accessible as traditional mobile or web games. The studio secured $2.75 million earlier this year in a round led by Framework Ventures.
T-Rex: Blockchain for Everyday Use
T-Rex is designed to integrate blockchain into daily internet use, with a focus on consumer-friendly applications. Based in Southeast Asia, the project fits Arbitrum’s goal of expanding into fast-growing international gaming markets.
Xai and the Layer 3 Gaming Revolution
Xai is being built as the first Layer 3 chain dedicated to indie gaming. It aims to match the reach of traditional game platforms like Steam and Epic, using Arbitrum Orbit. Its “Proof-of-Skill” system is designed to bring thousands of existing games into the Web3 world.
Proof of Play and Pirate Nation
Proof of Play, led by FarmVille co-creator Amitt Mahajan, is developing Pirate Nation, a blockchain RPG that blends on-chain mechanics with traditional gaming features. The studio is backed by a16z and is viewed as a key piece of Arbitrum’s long-term gaming ecosystem.