TreasureDAO has announced its decision to migrate from Arbitrum to zkSync, following a 99.5% vote in favor of the move. This decision comes after months of consideration regarding the best platform for its new TreasureChain.

Initially, TreasureDAO had planned to build its gaming ecosystem on Arbitrum using Arbitrum Orbit. However, in February 2024, the DAO indicated that it was open to exploring other options, which prompted multiple blockchain networks, including Optimism and zkSync, to propose partnerships.

TreasureDAO Migrates from Arbitrum to zkSync

Transition to zkSync 

TreasureDAO’s move to zkSync marks a significant change for its ecosystem of over 10 games, with plans to fully transition to zkSync technology. While the mainnet launch is expected in the coming months, TreasureDAO has already begun rolling out a testnet, dubbed "Topaz," allowing developers and players to familiarize themselves with zkSync’s ZK Stack technology.

TreasureDAO also revealed that a token swap with the zkSync Foundation is set to occur soon, further solidifying the migration process. This transition to zkSync is seen as a strategic move that aligns with the DAO's long-term goals, particularly in expanding its presence in the growing web3 gaming landscape.

TreasureDAO: The MAgic of Play

$220 Million Gaming Catalyst Program

Despite its decision to move to zkSync, TreasureDAO played a key role in Arbitrum’s Gaming Catalyst Program. This program, which aims to boost gaming on Arbitrum’s layer-2 (L2) blockchain, was established through a proposal co-authored by TreasureDAO co-founder Karel Vuong. The initiative was approved by a majority of Arbitrum DAO token holders and saw the allocation of 200 million ARB tokens (approximately $193 million) to encourage game development over three years.

The Gaming Catalyst Program focuses on multiple areas, including co-investments into game studios and resources for infrastructure development. Specifically, 160 million ARB tokens are allocated for "builder onboarding and growth," with an additional 40 million ARB tokens earmarked for infrastructure and tooling.

Furthermore, $25 million has been set aside for administrative costs, including salaries, legal fees, and marketing efforts. The program is governed by a five-member council, responsible for ensuring the effective allocation of resources and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), such as funding 100-200 games and launching over 50 titles on Arbitrum Orbit.

The Arbitrum Foundation

Arbitrum’s Ambitious Gaming Goals

Arbitrum’s Gaming Catalyst Program is one of the largest gaming-focused initiatives within the Ethereum ecosystem. Its success will be measured by its ability to onboard developers and gamers alike, positioning Arbitrum as a leader in web3 gaming. 

However, the relatively modest target of 20,000 daily active users (DAUs) has raised some questions about the overall ambition of the program. Currently, games like Delabs’ Rumble Racing Star, which recently migrated from Polygon to Arbitrum, are already nearing 18,000 DAUs, suggesting that the program’s goals may need to be revisited to reflect the scale of the project.

Delabs’ Rumble Racing Star

Final Thoughts

TreasureDAO’s migration from Arbitrum to zkSync signals a significant shift in its strategy as it builds out TreasureChain. Despite its involvement in Arbitrum’s $220 million Gaming Catalyst Program, TreasureDAO’s decision to transition highlights the dynamic nature of web3 gaming ecosystems and the competitive landscape among layer-2 solutions.

As TreasureDAO and zkSync move forward, the collaboration will be closely watched by developers and players within the web3 gaming community. This move marks an important moment in the evolution of web3 gaming, illustrating how decentralized organizations can pivot to new technologies while maintaining a focus on long-term growth and development.

Source: blockchaingamer.biz