Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard on our mission to make Immutable the home of web3 gaming.
After a massive 2023, we can proudly say that Immutable has grown into the leading web3 gaming ecosystem, with more than 220+ highly funded games building with our technology stack.
And we’re not stopping there, as 2024 is shaping up to be a big year too. We’re excited to share what you can expect from us this year.
But before we dive into our plans for 2024, let’s recap 2023.
2023: Game-changing partnerships, product development and game momentum
Last year was a massive year for Immutable and its ecosystem. They say bear markets are for building, and build we did … and then some!
Here’s a rundown of the 2023 top highlights.
Immutable x Polygon: The Web3 gaming partnership to end all partnerships
We kicked off the year with a game-changing partnership with Polygon.
This strategic alliance centred around the announcement of Immutable zkEVM, a first-of-its-kind EVM-compatible zk-rollup powered by Polygon technology. The collaboration combined Polygon's cutting-edge zero-knowledge technology with Immutable's deep gaming expertise, setting the stage for mainstream adoption of web3 gaming.
Keeping up the momentum, we launched the Immutable zkEVM testnet just months after our announcement.
Paving the way for frictionless Web3 gaming with Ubisoft
Late last year we announced our new partnership with Ubisoft, a leading video game creator and publisher, to create a new gaming experience that will further unlock the potential of web3.
With this partnership, Immutable continues in its ambition to bring digital ownership to players, while Ubisoft pursues its exploration of decentralization through its Strategic Innovation Lab.
Ubisoft will leverage its robust experience in developing top-notch, quality games with Immutable’s vast ecosystem, technology and expertise in building the leading web3 gaming platform.
Enhancing our scalability, security, and performance with Amazon Web Services
Another milestone was our strategic alliance with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Through our collaboration with AWS, Immutable will gain access to a vast pipeline of game studio leads and support for successful deal closures. Simultaneously, developers and studios get access to the most complete platform and ecosystem in web3 gaming.
When data from the cloud is validated on Ethereum, a viable model for blockchain gaming gets realized. Together, Immutable and AWS are shaping the future of gaming.
Huge developments for Immutable partners in 2023
It was a big year, so the list keeps growing. Let’s rapid-fire through these:
- The Merit Circle DAO, the world’s largest gaming-focused DAO, joined forces with us to expand and enhance their ecosystem, which comprises open-source blockchain network Beam and native digital asset marketplace Sphere, by harnessing Immutable's innovative platform and technology. Beam, initially exclusive to Avalanche, will also incorporate Immutable’s next-gen web3 solutions, such as Immutable Orderbook and Immutable Passport.
- We announced the Immutable Unity SDK and our recognition as an official Unity Verified Solution! More than half of the video games built today are built with Unity. Their game engine is used by 1.5M builders every month to create games that run across 20+ different platforms. Building a Unity SDK and becoming a Unity Verified Solution represents our commitment to becoming the undisputed leader in web3 gaming.
- We’ve onboarded over 200+ games, with 100+ building on Immutable zkEVM and many games set to launch in 2024. Immutable is now the biggest web3 gaming ecosystem.
- Our Studio Games were unstoppable in 2023. Guild of Guardians had their first Friends & Family demo with jaw-dropping results, Gods Unchained was added to both the Epic Games Store and Amazon Prime Gaming, and the highly anticipated Shardbound hit over 80K pre-registrations.
Continuously levelling up the Immutable tech stack
In 2023 we doubled down on our mission of delivering the best end-to-end solution for building successful web3 games.
We launched Immutable Passport, a seamless gaming identity and digital wallet solution designed to make web3 gaming accessible to mainstream players. We’re already seeing thousands of gamers using Immutable Passport.
We launched Immutable Checkout on our zkEVM Testnet. With embeddable web components and a customizable SDK, Checkout revolutionized transactions for games and marketplaces, enhancing user experiences and streamlining the journey from wallet setup to in-game purchases.
We enabled Gas Free for Gamers for users who use Immutable passport, effectively eliminating a primary point of friction in the user experience. Players will be able to play web3 games, trade assets, and participate in the game’s economy all without ever being introduced to the concept of gas!
2024: Scaling to the masses with Immutable zkEVM
In Q1 of this year, we’ll be launching the mainnet of our game-changing chain dedicated to launching the best web3 games: Immutable zkEVM, powered by Polygon.
Immutable zkEVM is the first of its kind - a chain for games that offers EVM compatibility, low cost, massive scale, and Ethereum security. The most cutting-edge technology in gaming with the largest ecosystem in web3.
Our long-term vision is that Immutable zkEVM will be the default chain for games, enabling games to increase their revenue streams, protect their community, and create frictionless experiences for their users.
Keep an eye out for an announcement very soon on early access to Immutable zkEVM 👀
Building the best end-to-end solution for web3 game development
We’re continuing to evolve our platform, focusing on offering a complete, end-to-end solution for enhancing games through digital asset ownership. Here’s how we’re upgrading our Immutable product suite this year:
Instant wallet onboarding with Immutable Passport
Our goal is for Immutable Passport to become the all-in-one gamer identity solution, removing the barrier to entry for mainstream audiences and abstracting away web3 complexities.
This year we’re enhancing Passport with a Dashboard with activity feed and asset management functionality and enhanced confirmations that include a transparent breakdown of costs and fees.
Limitless liquidity with Immutable Orderbook
The Immutable Orderbook allows marketplaces, studios, and creators to increase their revenue and liquidity by sharing NFT orders across the world’s leading NFT marketplaces.
Here’s how we’re improving Orderbook this year:
- Gas-free listing cancellation functionality
- Primary Sales APIs on Immutable X
- ERC-1155 Orderbook support on Immutable zkEVM
- Minting API to simplify the complexities of minting at scale on the blockchain
A complete payment solution with Immutable Checkout
We want to build Immutable Checkout into the all-in-one gaming payment infrastructure that streamlines transactions, increases conversion rates by removing fragmentation, implementing familiar payment methods, and educating the user along their journey.
This year we’re adding cross-wallet bridging for Passport & MetaMask, publishable API keys, and bulk buys with Smart Checkout.
2024 is the year of the AAA game launches on Immutable
A large number of the 220+ well-funded games building on Immutable will be going live this year!
Be sure to keep an eye on the most highly anticipated games set to launch on Immutable on our Play page, X profile, and subscribe to our newsletter.
And we’re onboarding new games daily, so stay tuned for more games releasing on our platform.
Join the gaming revolution on Immutable
We’ve made so much progress this past year, and there is so much more to come in 2024
Our mission is to bring digital ownership to every player by making it safe and easy for game studios to build great web3 games.
We’re just getting started!
For more information, please visit: https://www.immutable.com/
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This ‘How to’ guide is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation. While Immutable has taken all reasonable care in preparing this guide, it is provided on an “As is” basis without any representations or warranty, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. In no event shall Immutable or any of its affiliates or any of its directors, officers, agents or employees be liable for any loss or damages in connection with the use of this guide. Some of the solutions referred to in this guide are provided by third parties; Immutable takes no responsibility for third party technology and you should refer to the policies, terms and conditions of those third party services before engaging with them. Dealing in crypto assets can be complex; you should be aware of the risks involved with dealing with crypto assets, including with respect to transferring and bridging assets across different blockchain environments.
