NFL Rivals, the blockchain-powered mobile game, is steadily approaching the 3 million player mark. This growth coincides with a noticeable uptick in revenue and the significant greenlighting of its in-game marketplace by industry giants, Apple and Google.

Mythical Games' CEO, John Linden, a seasoned figure in the gaming world, formerly with Activision and Niantic, is at the helm, pushing Mythical's web3 gaming titles mainstream. Their other well-known games include Blankos Block Party and the newly announced Nitro Nation World Tour, developed in collaboration with CM Games.

The allure of NFL Rivals can be attributed to its accessible arcade-style gameplay, drawing in over 20,000 new players daily. Mythical Games benefits from robust brand recognition, fortified by partnerships with the NFL and the NFL Players Association, in addition to promotional alliances with the Miami Dolphins and Amazon Prime Gaming.

While the gaming sector has long endeavored to introduce web3 to mainstream audiences, NFL Rivals is notably free-to-play and utilizes Mythical's Mythos blockchain, underscoring the potential of blockchain technology within the gaming industry.

We’re closing in on 3 million new players. Since the NFL season started, we're seeing a lot more growth … we're seeing more players stick in the game. We're seeing more players engage in the game. DAUs are going up. MAUs are going up. Revenue per player is going up.

John Linden, CEO of Mythical Games

Apple and Google Approve

A pivotal moment has arrived with the approval of Apple and Google for early iterations of NFL Rivals' in-game marketplace. This marketplace facilitates the trading of NFTs, including coveted player cards, enhancing the gaming experience. Negotiating the complex policies set by these tech giants has posed a substantial challenge for web3 gaming, particularly with mobile platforms being the heart of the gaming community.

John Linden, Mythical Games' CEO, expressed his enthusiasm, noting that the allowance for NFT purchases has led to a noteworthy 50% increase in transaction volume. Since its full-scale launch in August, just prior to the football season, NFL Rivals has generated "millions of dollars" in revenue.

Phased Marketplace Rollout

The collaboration with Apple and Google will unfold in three phases, primarily focused on safeguarding users. Phase one enables players to acquire assets from other players through a well-structured "recommendation engine." Phase two, currently underway, empowers players to trade in-game assets through a "credit system." The third and final phase will mark the grand unveiling of the complete marketplace, signifying the realization of this ambitious undertaking.

Linden acknowledges that while NFL Rivals may not be a fully web3 game, persuading tech giants like Apple and Google to embrace blockchain-based digital asset trading remains an evolving process that necessitates time and patience.

A Milestone for Mythical Games

The substantial growth in user engagement and revenue signifies a notable triumph for Mythical Games and its extensive list of investors. With a valuation of $1.25 billion in 2021 after securing $150 million from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Mythical Games continued its success by raising an additional $37 million in June from new investors such as Cathie Wood's ARK Invest, Animoca Brands, and MoonPay.

Currently, Mythical Games is poised to secure an additional $38 million, reaffirming confidence in the potential of blockchain-powered gaming. As NFL Rivals continues to excel, it exemplifies the promising synergy between traditional gaming and web3, indicating a bright future for the industry.