Ginger Joy, the web3 spinoff of Matchingham Games, a UK-based mobile developer, has successfully secured £1 million ($1.26 million) in funding. The company aims to utilize these funds to develop an ecosystem of interoperable blockchain-based mobile games.

Ginger Joy plans to take a unique approach by developing interconnected web3 games native to mobile platforms, instead of adapting browser-based games. The studio envisions creating a mass-market web3 mobile gaming ecosystem, allowing users to transfer, use, and unlock items across different titles within the Ginger Joy ecosystem.

Russell Brown, Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) at Matchingham Games, highlighted the strategic collaboration in building Ginger Joy. The spinoff aims to address the growing need for technical expertise and creative prowess in integrating sophisticated blockchain technologies into mobile gaming.

Interoperability

Ginger Joy's focus on interoperability is not just a technical achievement but a strategic move aligned with Matchingham Games' vision for the future of gaming. The studio aims to seamlessly integrate both economic and experiential aspects across diverse gaming platforms.

AI-Powered Content 

Apart from incentivizing User Generated Content (UGC), Ginger Joy employs AI to support rapid content development. By utilizing AI and player behavior data, the studio generates race tracks and game modes. This not only reduces development costs but also tailors content to user preferences.

Web3 Integration

Despite the emphasis on web3 architecture, Ginger Joy plans to make blockchain integrations optional rather than mandatory. The studio wants its titles to be enjoyable games on their own merits, ensuring a smooth transition to blockchain technology for gamers.

Ibrahim Over, CEO at Ginger Joy Games, emphasized their goal of redefining the role of blockchain in gaming, aiming for tangible benefits rather than riding the hype wave.

“At Ginger Joy, we’re not just integrating blockchain tech; we’re redefining its role in gaming. Our aim is to make the shift to blockchain so smooth for gamers that it feels natural,” said Ibrahim. “We know there’s a lot of hype around it but we’re not focused on that — we want real, tangible benefits for our customers. We want to elevate the gaming experience, with technology that enhances rather than dominates.” 

Ginger Joy's management team includes talent from top gaming and entertainment companies such as Sybo, Dream Games, Epic/Tonic, Pixar, and Netflix. The company plans to leverage this cross-sector experience to craft compelling content that seamlessly integrates with technology.

Jeremy Stein, production development manager at Ginger Joy, emphasized the fundamental philosophy shared by the team, "to create genuine joy in mobile gaming". The studio recently launched its first title, the party racing game Fundora, on Android in October 2023, marking the beginning of Ginger Joy's foray into the evolving world of web3 mobile gaming.