Nytro Lab, a web3 game studio known for its "Play and Trade" gaming model, has secured $8 million in a funding round led by SevenX Ventures. The funding, which also attracted participation from investors such as OKX Ventures, Aptos Labs, Amber Group, Matr1x, Hashkey Capital, and Leland Ventures, brings the studio's total funding to date to $25 million.

The newly raised capital will be used to accelerate the development of Nytro Lab’s inaugural blockchain game, Castile, which entered beta testing on September 10th. The testing phase will continue until October 10th, as the studio works to refine the game ahead of its full release.

Nytro Lab Raises $8M to Build Web3 Game Castile

What is Castile?

Castile is a roguelike RPG with a rich fantasy world that immerses players in deep lore and diverse regions. The game combines classic RPG elements with innovative features, creating a gameplay experience reminiscent of the challenging and immersive feel reminiscent of the Dark Souls series. Set in a world where ancient magic and legendary heroes shape destinies, players navigate through political intrigue and epic battles. The lore is deeply integrated into gameplay, making every quest and character interaction meaningful.

Castile is being built on the Aptos blockchain, which has a growing network of gaming applications, including READYgg, Eragon, and Aptos Arena. As the first title from Nytro Lab, Castile leverages the company's “Play and Trade” model, which combines high-quality gameplay with a trading system that enhances user engagement.

Castile Cover Banner on X

Successful Alpha Testing and Upcoming Beta

The game achieved notable success during its alpha testing phase, particularly in U.S. TikTok marketing tests, where it ranked first in performance metrics, recording a 90.53% user retention rate and an average playtime of 198.9 minutes per session.

During the beta testing phase, Castile will introduce several new features to enhance the gaming experience. These include a Tarot System, a Trading System, League Boss Racing, and a League Tournament. Players will also have the opportunity to earn rewards, with up to 10 million CAST, the game’s governance token, available as part of the beta test.

Arthur Kao, Co-Founder of Nytro Lab, emphasized the studio’s long-term vision for web3 gaming. "Our 'Play and Trade' model is set to empower players to engage in high-quality gameplay while participating in a dynamic game economy. With this investment, we’ll scale our vision, expand Castile with new content, and drive the adoption of web3 gaming." 

Castile On Android and App Store

Nytro Lab’s Vision and Industry Support

Nytro Lab was founded by industry veterans with experience in leading tech and gaming companies such as Facebook’s advertising division, NetEase, Tencent, and ByteDance. Their expertise is driving the development of Castile, with the goal of creating a game that not only delivers engaging gameplay but also integrates a dynamic in-game economy that players can actively participate in.

The game studio's innovative approach has attracted the attention of key players in the blockchain and gaming sectors. HC Xie, Ecosystem Manager at Aptos Labs, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the potential impact Castile could have on expanding the global gaming community.

HC Xie, Ecosystem Manager at Aptos Labs, commented: "We’re excited to see how its first title Castile will engage and expand the global gaming community while showcasing the unique capabilities of the Aptos network."

Impact on Web3 Gaming

The success of Castile and Nytro Lab's broader vision represents another step forward for web3 gaming, where the integration of blockchain technology is opening new possibilities for player interaction and in-game economies. 

As the beta testing phase progresses, it will be important to observe how Castile evolves and how its "Play and Trade" model resonates with the broader gaming community. If successful, Nytro Lab could help shape the future of blockchain-based gaming by setting a new standard for engagement and in-game trading.