16 May 2025 | Weekly news roundup

Jon Jordan and BlockchainGamer.biz editor Jenny Jordan talk through the week's news including:[0:20] Nexon has launched MapleStory N and its NXPC token on its Avalanche-based L1. [2:25] MapleStory is the OG IP for Nexon - a 2D side-scrolling MMORPG, now with blockchain. [5:00] The NXPC token seems to have launched well on various exchanges, up 30%.[6:14] However, the game is geo-locked for some countries including South Korea, US and UK.[8:45] Its free NFT on OpenSea was minted 1.7 million times, so there's high demand.[10:07] Paradise Tycoon is launching its own Avalanche-based chain - Paradise Chain. [11:14] Pixelmon is also bringing its games to Avalanche.[15:24] The first title to use crypto for IAP payments in an iOS game is Crazy Defense Heroes.[19:12] It's not clear how useful this will be existing web3 mobile games as it will require retrofitting.[20:48] Adding this to Crazy Defense Heroes is likely more experimental than revenue generating.[23:40] Animoca is looking to IPO in the US.[24:15] Animoca was originally floated in Australia but was delisted in 2020. [27:38] Animoca's 2024 financials said it was worth $4.3 billion so there will be demand for its shares.[31:11] Pixels has announced an AI agent mini-game integration with AI Veronica.[34:16] Blocklords' Battleborne mode is live, adding exciting new gameplay to the base farming game.[45:31] Why Playful Studios has spent 7 years making its character collection action game Wildcard.[49:31] Wildcard is a web2 game that's designed for streaming.[50:41] Thousands is its integrated web3 streaming platform with revenue share for creators.