Puffverse, an interactive and immersive 3D universe with NFT characters, has announced a $3 million funding round led by Animoca Brands with participation from Sky Mavis, Arcane Group, Spartan Group, Foresight Ventures, HashKey Capital, and Xu Family Office. 

The new funding will support the ongoing development of the company's flagship party game, PuffGo, and the creation of a cloud gaming platform that will enable NFT projects to build personalized metaverses using the company's engine, all without requiring coding skills.

Additionally, Puffverse announced a partnership with Sky Mavis to move the entire Puffverse portfolio from BNB Chain to the Ronin Network. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the $3 million raised, the migration to Ronin, their portfolio of web3 IPs, and new blockchain games.

What is Puffverse?

Puffverse is a dynamic multi-end universe that seamlessly blends web2 and web3 gaming experiences. Puffverse characters are diverse and whimsical avatars, each with their own unique personalities, appearances, and abilities. From Patty the Dinosaur to Claude the Cloud, these characters come to life as NFTs, offering players a captivating and immersive gaming experience. 

Users can collect unique characters with different costumes, skills, and bonuses, tailored for individual gameplay experiences, and utilize them in-game and across the ecosystem for gameplay, earning, or life simulation experiences. 

Why Move To 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. Puffverse Co-Founder and COO, Lya L commented on the migration to Ronin, stating:

"Moving Puffverse to the Ronin blockchain was a strategic decision rooted in our commitment to making our 3D universe more accessible to both web2 and web3 users. Our Puff characters' compatibility with the beloved Axie community makes this migration a natural fit. We've been impressed by Ronin's support across marketing, operations, and user acquisition and can’t wait to see the next stage of growth for Puffverse." 

UCG and AI Meets Web3

The first title from Puffverse to launch on Ronin is PuffGo, a multiplayer royale party game that enables players to enjoy skill-based play and earn opportunities while having fun. The game features various level themes and gameplay modes, offering solo and multiplayer matchups. 

PuffGo offers UGC (User-Generated Content) features, enabling users to craft their own game maps, with the goal of empowering users to craft entire personalized metaverses in the future. Additionally, the upcoming AIGC (Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content) functionality will grant users the ability to direct the AI tools through text commands to create maps, levels, gameplay, or even their own metaverse.

“Party games, with their quick gameplay loops and dynamic social features could be a very good fit for elevation via web3 mechanics. The Puffverse team also understands the East Asia and China market, which we believe is ripe for Ronin to expand into,” shared Sky Mavis CEO and Co-Founder CEO, Trung Nguyen.

Puffverse Portfolio?

Additional products in the Puffverse portfolio include PuffTown, a web3 control panel for all Puffverse-related products; PuffLand, a user-generated content platform for creating games without the need for technical knowledge; PuffWorld, a user-generated content platform for creating 3D metaverse that features a decentralized ID system and SocialFi; and other gaming products such as MMORPG, cloud gaming, etc. 

On April 29th, a snapshot of all Puff NFTs on the BNB Chain will be taken, followed by the migration and airdrop of the NFTs directly to the corresponding addresses on Ronin. For more information, visit Twitter / X. Slated for release later this year, Puffverse will also be launching its ecosystem token and exclusive NFT collection on Ronin.

Role of Animoca Brands?

Animoca Brands is a global leader in gamification and blockchain with a large portfolio of over 400 investments in web3 projects, with the mission to advance digital property rights and contribute to building the "open metaverse".

The company and its various subsidiaries develop and publish web3, crypto and blockchain games, traditional games, and other products, many of which are based on popular global brands including The Walking Dead, Power Rangers, MotoGP™, and Formula E. Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, commented on the recent news stating: 

“Puffverse has enjoyed a strong year with the launch of Puff Football NFTs and IGO Points in PuffGo. The Ronin chain is emerging as one of the premier chains for gaming and is a good choice to take Puffverse to the next level. In addition to its IP, we are also enthusiastic about Puffverse’s vision of a cloud computing platform, which we believe could enhance immersive and interconnected gaming experiences in the open metaverse.” 

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.

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 many significant milestones - including the recent announcement of the Ragnarok Online universe joining the Ronin ecosystem, commencing with the debut of MMORPG Ragnarok: Monster World.

Furthermore, the company disclosed in February 2024 that GMonsters intends to introduce three games from the Fight League franchise to Ronin. Alongside its native Axie Infinity games, Ronin now serves as the backbone for various popular blockchain titles, including Pixels, Apeiron, Wild Forest, The Machines Arena, and Kaidro.

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 just some of the best titles you shouldn't miss out on:

• 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.

Final Thoughts

The strategic decision by Puffverse to secure funding, migrate to the Ronin blockchain, and expand its ecosystem speaks volumes about the evolving landscape of web3 gaming. With a focus on accessibility, user engagement, and innovation, Puffverse exemplifies the intersection of traditional gaming experiences with the transformative potential of blockchain technology.

By empowering players to not only participate but also shape the gaming universe through user-generated content and AI-driven tools, Puffverse and Ronin are at the forefront of a new era in gaming. As the industry continues to embrace decentralization, interoperability, and player-driven economies, the success of Puffverse serves as a compelling testament to the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for gaming.