Ronin, the popular EVM-based blockchain, has announced its partnership with Ragnarok: Monster World, an immersive strategy game that combines tower defense and monster collecting elements, bringing the beloved Ragnarok Online universe and web2 IP to crypto and blockchain gaming. 

In this article, you will learn all about the exciting partnership and how the two entities plan to work together to bring more web2 gamers to the blockchain by harnessing Ragnarok's billion-dollar IP. We will also touch on Ronin's recent explosive growth and success in the world of web3 gaming. 

Billion Dollar Transmedia IP

Ragnarok, a billion-dollar transmedia IP developed by South Korean game publisher Gravity, has amassed 167 million downloads across 122 territories. As the first web2 gaming IP to launch on Ronin, the strategic partnership sets a new precedent for the network and its game publishing business, following the success of Pixels’ migration to Ronin.

Ragnarok's journey began as a widely read Manwha comic book series, and its sequel online game has since become one of the most popular MMORPGs in the world. Ragnarok Online was one of the early virtual worlds of the social internet era, enabling players to connect beyond geographies and cultures through the game. The IP’s success has also extended to other media, including an animated series and mobile games, further expanding its reach and influence. 

Web2 IP Comes to Web3

Scheduled to launch on Ronin in Q3 2024, Ragnarok: Monster World is developed by ZERO X AND (0x&), a web3 development company and game studio with a mission to become an essential block for NFT gaming, the studio has since joined Google Cloud’s Startup Program.

Its core team members previously worked on web2 titles such as Blade for Kakao, Shot Online, CrossFire, and various LINE games. Ragnarok: Monster World, ZERO X AND’s inaugural title, is designed to appeal to both web2 and web3 gamers.

In the game, players tame and collect monsters called Ragmons, train them, and engage in battles to level up and earn rewards through PvP features. Future updates will introduce PvE and GvG features, in addition to benefits that will be unlocked through participation in campaigns.

“Ragnarok holds a special place in the hearts of our core audience in South East Asia, including many of our own team members who grew up as avid fans. We are committed to bringing IP that will transcend gaming culture through our bleeding edge technology and can't wait to see the Ronin Effect on Monster World," commented Sky Mavis CEO and Co-Founder CEO, Trung Nguyen.

The "Ronin Effect"

Since its launch in 2021, Ronin has grown to serve approximately 17.6M total wallet addresses, and it continues to lay the foundation for scalability with its upcoming zkEVM launch. Together with Sky Mavis, the network focuses on driving the success of games, providing tailored distribution to strategic partners through its web3 Publishing Stack, and strong relationships with its active community of super fans.

“We're thrilled to collaborate with the team behind Axie Infinity, who has spearheaded a new paradigm for P2E and NFTs. I've been following the potential of Ronin for some time now and have thoroughly enjoyed playing Axie Infinity games. By leveraging the skills of our team members experienced in web2 alongside SkyMavis' web3 expertise, we aim to cultivate a stronger gaming and blockchain community,” commented Seokjun Kim, Founder of ZERO X AND.

More About Ronin?

Ronin is an EVM blockchain specifically forged for gaming. Launched by Sky Mavis, the creator of web3’s breakout title Axie Infinity which has generated over $1.3 Billion in revenue, Ronin is one of the only blockchains proven to scale a single game to accommodate millions of daily active users and has processed over $4 Billion in NFT volumes. 

Ronin optimizes for near-instant transactions and negligible fees that enable millions of in-game transactions to occur seamlessly, making it the leading choice for web3 games. 

Ronin's capability to process 100,000 transactions per second and its transition to Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) underlines its commitment to efficiency. The move from Proof of Authority (PoA) to DPoS enhances decentralization, ensuring both speed and security, essential for a seamless gaming experience.

Whether measured in terms of user base, community expansion, or the integration of third-party games, Sky Mavis has recently achieved significant milestones.

Top Games on Ronin

In a bold assertion during its 2023 recap, Ronin proudly declared itself as "the fastest-growing gaming blockchain in the world." If you're a gamer looking to dive into the world of web3 games on Ronin, here's a list of some of the best titles you shouldn't miss:

• Axie Infinity: A leading game on Ronin, Axie Infinity allows players to breed, raise, and battle fantasy creatures called Axies. This title pioneered the Play-to-Earn model in 2021 and is still one of the most popular web3 games worldwide.
• Pixels: After continuous updates and migrating from Polygon in 2023, Pixels has grown in popularity on Ronin with its engaging pixel art and strategic gameplay.
• The Machines Arena: Still under development with community participation, The Machines Arena is a cross-platform, team-based shooter offering fast-paced battles.
• Battle Bears Heroes: Upcoming top-down shooter game with a strong community following. Some game modes include Death Match and Battle Royale.
• Apeiron: Card-based action-adventure combat system combined with god game simulation gameplay inspired by classic games like Populous and Black & White.

More About ZERO X AND?

ZERO X AND (0x&) specializes in developing essential frameworks for NFT games and Dapps, contributing to the advancement of the web3 ecosystem. With diverse experience in running and launching multiple services, 0x& is presently focused on developing its first blockchain game, Ragnarok: Monster World. Collaborating with global partners to expand its reach, 0x& also serves as a validator for XPLA and HAVAH.

More About Gravity?

Gravity Co., Ltd. is a famous South Korean video game company that was founded in April 2000, during the early stages of South Korea’s online game industry. It is the only global online game company directly listed on NASDAQ.

Gravity is well-known for its flagship title, Ragnarok Online, which was first released in 2002 and became a major success in Asia. Gravity's focus on creating immersive gaming experiences has garnered a loyal fanbase and established it as one of the leading game developers in South Korea.

With its success within Korea, Gravity has also developed a global publishing business focused on discovering and distributing games across international platforms.

Final Thoughts

Despite competition from other blockchain gaming platforms, Ronin maintains strong momentum in 2024. With more game launches on the horizon, it wouldn't be surprising if overall on-chain activity surpasses its previous 2021 peak. In a competitive landscape that includes Immutable, Beam, Arbitrum, Oasys, Skale, and others, Ronin's continued ascent in the bull market remains a force to be reckoned with.