In a significant development for the web3 gaming sector, the shift in rules for blockchain games on App Store and Google Play in 2023 has had a profound impact on developers worldwide. Among the standout success stories is the South Korean developer Planetarium Labs, whose PC-based RPG, Nine Chronicles, took the gaming community by storm. Earlier this year, the developers announced their plans to expand to mobile, culminating in the launch of the new game, Nine Chronicles M. The mobile game generated increased anticipation with over 220,000 pre-registrations leading up to its launch on November 22nd. Fast forward three weeks, and Nine Chronicles M has already surpassed 250,000 downloads on various app stores. Notably, the game's combined performance, considering both the original Nine Chronicles and the new mobile release, has resulted in an all-time player high of 115,603 monthly active users, spread across more than 150 countries. Japanese players have exhibited the highest retention rates among the diverse player base.

Nine Chronicles is a fully on-chain, open-source, and 100% decentralized RPG game. Boasting players from over 150 countries, the game has witnessed 202.4 million transactions since its inception. September statistics revealed an average Daily Active User (DAU) count of around 35,000 further solidifying its global presence. Notably, the game recently earned recognition as one of the top five performing games worldwide in the 2023 3Q Blockchain Games Report, a publication by DappRadar and BGA Games. 

The mobile version of Nine Chronicles is available on both Google Play and the Apple Store, with support for in-app purchases, aligning with Planetarium Labs' strategy to introduce web3 games to a diverse user base. Backed by a $32 million funding round last year, Planetarium Labs has been making strides in web3 gaming. Alongside Nine Chronicles, the company recently introduced Verse8, an open-source decentralized roguelike RPG protocol, and Immortal Rising 2, a web3 competitive idle RPG game.

JC Kim, the CEO of Planetarium Labs., stated in a press release: “Our goal has always been to provide the best experiences to the widest possible user base. With over 1 million players already engaged with Nine Chronicles, the mobile version has catered to a broader audience, allowing gamers to enjoy the experience at their convenience." Originally launched in 2021, Nine Chronicles' foray into the mobile gaming space has not only boosted its immediate success but also propelled the franchise's lifetime total of registered players beyond the one-million mark, as highlighted on socials. The development of Nine Chronicles has also received substantial support from web3 heavyweights like Animoca Brands and Binance Labs. The game continues to break new ground in the world of decentralized gaming, making waves with its unique approach to blockchain-based RPG experiences.