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TON, Immutable, Ronin — The rise of gaming chains is one of the major Web3 stories of the year. Telegram’s “Official Web3 Infrastructure”, Open Network, is a great example of this success by enabling in-app onboarding and new levels of engagement and rewards. TON makes it easy for builders to build and players to play, as proven by iconic titles of the year like Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, and BANANA. TON started the year with just over 4 million on-chain accounts and will end the year with over 120 million.
A three-part story reveals why this happens. For developers, Game Chain provides a foundation that bridges the gap between Web2 and Web3, offering better tools, smoother onboarding, and more efficient scaling. Players benefit from a connected ecosystem where their assets, achievements, and identities become more flexible on the backend. Meanwhile, as an industry, we are moving ever closer to AI-enhanced experiences and a cross-game economy.
The explosive growth of gaming chains is not just about improved technology. It’s about enabling the connected gaming experiences that will define Web3 in the year ahead and beyond.
building without barriers
In 2024, the gaming chain has expanded in earnest. In addition to the huge success of TON, Immutable’s ecosystem reached around 200 titles in Q3, and Sky Mavis’ Ronin grew around 40% in game count. Much of this success is due to how Chain helps developers bridge technological gaps. Just as Unreal Engine uses specialized tools to transform game development, Game Chain creates a purpose-built environment where developers can focus on their creativity and build without compromise.
Native gaming tools handle high-throughput player actions and complex smart contracts while ensuring low latency for real-time experiences. This goes a long way in making developers feel comfortable using what they’re familiar with with traditional infrastructure. Less technical headaches and more time to focus on what you do best.
Furthermore, this relationship is synergistic. As a game chain, we can support developers from the ground up. For example, in addition to expert technical and tokenomics support for games migrating from Web2, we offer discounts on gas fees for gaming partners. Game chain creators can also foster ecosystem growth by nurturing and investing in the games of their choice, driving adoption, and generating buzz. This virtuous cycle helps developers succeed while building more engaging player experiences.
A game beyond space
There’s also a lot for players to like about this evolution of the game chain. First, one of the biggest pain points is onboarding. Things like wallets require technical know-how, which is not always an easy barrier to overcome. Once again, gaming chains provide a solution by seamlessly introducing players into the ecosystem and integrating invisible blockchains.
Telegram does both of these things so well that it has made waves in gaming this year. Most users in most parts of the world (subject to regulations) enjoy an automatic wallet connection in their Telegram profile and can immediately participate in mini-games without even having to know the concept of cryptocurrencies. The result is massive games, hype airdrops, and hundreds of millions of players.
Game Chain also solves a key challenge: blockchain games often exist in isolation. Shared infrastructure allows players to more easily maintain a single identity across multiple titles. The Ronin Name Service is a great example for players to create unique callsigns across the Ronin ecosystem, games, wallets, and dApps. Such solutions bring value and utility to players and help create true digital ownership across game worlds without sacrificing gameplay.
Unleash new gaming possibilities
When siled game data is unlocked and unified by game chains, the possibilities expand dramatically. The cross-game economy long promised by NFTs is finally a reality. Whether it’s trading assets or sharing currencies, expanding beyond the title deepens the experience. As a result, a player’s digital footprint captures value across the ecosystem rather than in a single game.
This unlocked data has other ripple effects, such as a richer player experience. Imagine rewards being adapted based on a cross-game achievement and reputation system that reflects your complete gaming identity. Game chains create a shared infrastructure that makes player data portable and meaningful.
AI powers these connected experiences. Chain-specific tools can personalize missions based on behavior, generate dynamic content tailored to player preferences, and power AI companions that learn from interactions. This makes the game more tailored to all players, resulting in better player acquisition and retention. United data on the backend also gives game makers a better understanding of what players want and the ability to develop in that direction. It’s clear that when game data flows freely, all sides of the game equation benefit.
The game chain will survive
This landmark year for the gaming chain is just the beginning. The digital age is defined by data as the “new oil,” and gaming chains are leveraging this asset to foster innovation, participation, and smarter decision-making. This is a value proposition that resonates with all stakeholders. Developers get purpose-built infrastructure, players enjoy customized experiences, and the industry unlocks new data-driven possibilities.
For 2025, gaming chains are redefining the way we build, play, and connect. This momentum is expected to continue.
