Hyve Labs, a blockchain gaming studio, has announced the successful completion of a $2.75 million pre-seed funding round led by Framework Ventures. This funding also includes contributions from other notable investors, such as Volt Capital, Builder Capital, 32 Bit Ventures, and angel investors with backgrounds at companies like Zynga and InfiniGods. The funding underscores growing interest in blockchain technology’s potential to enhance the gaming industry.

About Hyve Labs

The company plans to use this capital to enhance its development capabilities and build a robust gaming ecosystem. The focus will be on creating a decentralized gaming rollup, expanding its team, launching its first game, and developing on-chain assets. These efforts are part of Hyve Labs' strategy to enhance gaming by leveraging blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Hyve Labs Raises $2.75 Million

Plans for a Decentralized Gaming Rollup

Central to Hyve Labs’ plans is the creation of a gaming rollup that will serve as a versatile platform for developers and players. This rollup will utilize decentralized data availability services such as EigenDA to enable a seamless cross-chain gaming experience. By integrating with widely used social platforms like Telegram, Discord, and Farcaster, the rollup will allow players to engage with games and communities effortlessly.

According to CEO and Co-Founder Lucas Fulks, the company says it "is committed to creating a gaming ecosystem that prioritizes player engagement while providing developers with tools to innovate without technical barriers". Fulks emphasized that the funding is a critical step toward achieving this vision and building an ecosystem that enhances both the gaming and development experience.

Integrating AI for Enhanced Game Development

Hyve Labs plans to embed AI into its ecosystem, using machine learning to create dynamic content, improve game mechanics, and enhance player interaction. This integration is expected to result in a more personalized and engaging gaming experience. AI will also be used internally during the game development process, enabling faster testing and deployment of games.

The company aims to simplify development for creators by providing tools to handle essential multiplayer components, such as leaderboards, battle passes, and player identity systems. This approach allows developers to focus on creative aspects while relying on Hyve Labs’ infrastructure to manage the technical complexities.

Hyve Labs

Shaping a New Gaming Model with "Casual+"

Hyve Labs is challenging traditional perceptions of blockchain gaming with its “Casual+” approach. Rather than catering exclusively to the niche audience of web3 gamers, the company aims to create accessible games that appeal to a global audience. This philosophy seeks to remove the complexities of blockchain technology from the player’s perspective, making the gaming experience seamless and user-friendly.

By adopting a web-first model, Hyve Labs envisions games that can be accessed on mobile devices without relying on app stores. This approach ensures that developers retain greater control over their earnings while offering players the convenience of instant access to games. The company’s emphasis on accessibility aligns with its broader goal of bringing blockchain gaming to mainstream audiences.

Although the launch dates for Hyve Labs’ testnet chain and first game, BitByte, have not yet been announced, the company has hinted at their arrival in the near future. The pre-seed funding round will enable the team to accelerate development and potentially release a roadmap outlining key milestones.