Blockchain gaming is set to make its debut on the XRP Ledger following a significant expansion of B3’s gaming ecosystem. This initiative will kick off with five hyper-casual testnet games that are designed to be accessible to players from all walks of life and locations. The overarching aim of this development is to attract a wider audience to the XRP Ledger while simultaneously enhancing the utility of the Ripple-linked cryptocurrency, XRP.
The gaming efforts are anchored in the creation of the XRPL Gamechain, a specialized area within the XRP ecosystem tailored for gaming. This project is driven by B3, an appchain network and gaming ecosystem that initially emerged as a layer-3 network on Ethereum’s Base. B3 is collaborating closely with XRPL Commons, which is committed to promoting the growth of the XRP network.
Drawing from insights gained during their time at Coinbase, B3’s co-founder Viktoriya Hying highlighted the universal appeal of gaming. “Gaming is universal to all of us. We have games on our phones we play now, or grew up playing video games as kids,” she expressed. Their research suggested that engaging users in meaningful interactions on-chain is most effectively achieved through the creation of enjoyable, frictionless, and novel gaming experiences.
The XRPL Gamechain will begin with a testnet version of Xcade, a virtual arcade featuring five distinct casual gaming titles that emphasize quick-paced gameplay and mobile-friendly sessions. A full version of the arcade is projected to launch in the fall. Hying emphasized that the goal is to make participation on the XRP Ledger both fun and accessible, stating, “Upon launch, the game catalog will grow and expand, but will still be in the same category.”
Players on the XRPL Gamechain can look forward to completing challenges and earning XRP rewards through various tournaments, competitions, and themed game nights. This initiative has been bolstered by the arrival of the XRPL EVM sidechain in June, which enhances the network’s composability and programmability.
Hying noted, “XRP is a highly held token looking for new use cases.” With this initiative, B3 and XRPL Commons aim to develop innovative applications for the token, incentivize user participation, and ultimately increase the number of daily active users within the XRP community.
B3 was founded by former team members from Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network Base, and it previously launched its first gaming ecosystem, BSMNT, on Base. The company has rolled out its ecosystem token in February, boasting over 100 playable games and more than 8.5 million onboarded wallets, signifying its robust approach to establishing a new realm in the blockchain gaming landscape.
