Crypto billionaires deploy $40M to fight California wealth tax and union power
More crypto gaming studios are likely to face the chopping board in 2026, according to Axie Infinity co-creator and Ronin Network co-founder, Jeff “JiHoz” Zirlin.
“I will continue to say this, you’re going to see a lot of teams die,” Zirlin said during a recent interview with gaming influencer Yellow Panther.
Zirlin argued that many studios have fallen into a dangerous mindset, telling themselves that crypto gaming downturns or recoveries “aren’t really affecting us.”
“I’m not throwing shade on games on other chains too, that will also happen on games on Ronin, right,” he said.
Funding runways are growing short across the Web3 gaming sector. A recent Blockchain Gaming Alliance (BGA) survey found that 32.6% of gaming developers cited cash shortages as their biggest challenge to staying in the industry.
Yield Guild Games co-founder Gabby Dizon tells Magazine that “generally it’s really hard to ship a successful game — and games shut down all the time.”
Crypto games that shut down in 2025 including Ethereum game Ember Sword, Solana shooter game Nyan Heroes, extraction shooter game Deadrop, and pirate-themed RPG, Pirate Nation.
The comments follow Zirlin’s recent claim that Axie Infinity plans to take bigger swings in 2026 in a bid to revive the excitement of crypto gaming’s 2021 peak.
“In ’26 we’ll take much larger risks,” Zirlin said in an X post, reflecting on 2025 during which he admitted the project had been “too conservative.”
NBA legend Scottie Pippen to launch new Fortnite game, with nod to Bitcoin
NBA legend Scottie Pippen is preparing to launch a new basketball-themed game, Don’t Drop The Ball, which will feature subtle Bitcoin references throughout the game.
“The experience includes a cultural layer tied to Bitcoin and digital innovation,” a spokesperson tells Magazine.
“Throughout the city, players will find graffiti and easter eggs referencing Satoshi Nakamoto, as well as a custom statue paying homage to Bitcoin’s creator.”
Pippen has an unusual connection with Satoshi, and claims to have met him in his dreams over the years.
In August 2025 Pippen told Magazine he had been warned by Strategy executive chairman Michael Saylor to stop talking about it.
“My guy, Michael Saylor, asked me not to speak on my conversations with Satoshi,” Pippen said. “No more talk about Satoshi,” he added.
Pippen tells Magazine that Satoshi’s appearance in his new game is meant to honor “builders who change the game.” “That’s what Satoshi did. This is just paying respect,” Pippen says.
The concept is simple but intense: it’s a fast-paced multiplayer game, based on Fortnite, where each match lasts just 10 minutes.
The ball starts on the halfway line, and once picked up, a city-wide chase kicks off. The objective isn’t scoring points or knocking out opponents, it’s about holding onto the ball for as long as possible within the 10-minute game.
The Game 5 ball from the Chicago Bulls’ 1991 NBA Finals win plays a key role in the game. It’s “widely regarded by collectors” as the holy grail of sports memorabilia.
The digital version is modeled on the original ball still kept by Pippen, which was used during the moment the Bulls secured their first championship.
“The moment that marked the beginning of one of the greatest dynasties in sports history,” the spokesperson says.
Don’t Drop The Ball is currently live in community beta with invite-only access.
PGA Tour is heading to SKALE on Base
The PGA Tour, one of the world’s largest golf tournaments, is heading to SKALE, a layer- 3 network on Base, giving gamers a chance to compete like a golfing pro from their mobile phones.
“With PGA Rise, they are taking the golf experience, and reimagining it, you as a player, can go in there, own your clubs, house, you can create your own course, you can own all of your own assets, and battle against other players,” SKALE Labs head of community Falcore said during a recent livestream.
Read also
SKALE Labs CEO and co-founder Jack O’Holleran added that, “With the PGA Tour’s popularity, we view this as an opportunity to onboard the next 10 million users into Web3 gaming.”
O’Holleran also argued that Web3 gaming needs more brands and IP to join the space.
It isn’t the first major sporting league to join Web3, with Mythical Games having brought NFL and FIFA into the space too in recent years.
The Sandbox, meanwhile, has experimented with bringing ITV reality shows such as Love Island, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and The Voice onto the blockchain as game formats.
Read also
Falcore said one of Web3 gaming’s core problems has been taking an original idea and “just adding crypto to it.” “That was always the biggest issue we saw,” he said.
PGA Rise is free-to-play and can be enjoyed with or without engaging with crypto. Players have the option to use crypto or fiat to purchase clubs, apparel, and other items in the marketplace.
Other News
— MapleStory Universe posted a strong performance in Q4 2025, reaching 1.94 million registered accounts and total transactions reaching 46 million.
— Polygon Labs is set to acquire gaming infrastructure provider Sequence, as part of a pair of acquisitions with a combined value exceeding $250 million.
Subscribe
The most engaging reads in blockchain. Delivered once a
week.
About Author
