In a decisive shift within the crypto gaming sector, Aavegotchi, a blockchain-based game blending DeFi mechanics with virtual collectibles, is preparing to migrate from the Polygon blockchain to Coinbase’s Base network. The move follows a substantial community vote, with approximately 93% of participants endorsing the transition.
The game, inspired by the concept of Tamagotchi digital pets, allows users to earn tokens by interacting with customizable avatars known as Aavegotchis. Developed as an open-source project, Aavegotchi has cultivated a niche but dedicated user base, particularly among decentralized finance enthusiasts, due to its affiliation with leading DeFi lending protocol Aave.
Frustration With Polygon Spurs Departure
The decision to exit the Polygon ecosystem was largely driven by growing dissatisfaction within the Aavegotchi community regarding Polygon’s support for gaming projects. The game’s founder, Daniel Mathieu, expressed concern over the blockchain’s stagnation, suggesting that its proof-of-stake chain had not introduced significant improvements to enhance game discovery or ecosystem support. This sentiment ultimately led him to propose the migration to Base.
Community consensus reflects broader frustrations in the sector, where developers and players alike are seeking more responsive platforms that can better accommodate the evolving needs of Web3 gaming.
Base Emerges as the Preferred Destination
Base, developed under Coinbase’s stewardship, has rapidly grown in prominence since its 2023 launch, becoming the largest Ethereum Layer 2 network with deposits totaling $3.6 billion. This growth, coupled with the network’s strong developer engagement and ties to crypto social platform Farcaster, contributed to Base becoming the preferred destination for Aavegotchi.
The project had also considered other options such as Arbitrum and Ronin but ultimately favored Base due to existing relationships between the Aavegotchi team and Base developers, along with the perceived strategic alignment with Coinbase’s broader ecosystem.
Although unconfirmed, industry reports have suggested that Aavegotchi may have received a grant between $500,000 and $1 million from Base in connection with the migration. Polygon representatives stated that they respected the decision, even as it marks another notable loss for the chain.
Migration Timeline and Strategic Implications
The migration is expected to unfold over a four-to-six-week period. As part of the plan, all Aavegotchi smart contracts on Polygon will be permanently locked. These contracts and associated assets will then be cloned and redeployed on Base. According to Mathieu, much of the technical groundwork for the transition had already been laid due to an earlier plan involving the development of a dedicated Layer 3 network for the game.
The shift also reflects deeper strategic friction between the Aave and Polygon communities. In a previous episode from December, Aave DAO delegates raised concerns over a Polygon proposal to invest $1 billion in idle crypto via a bridge partnership with a competitor. That move prompted discussions about whether to shut down Aave’s presence on Polygon altogether. At the time, Polygon Labs’ CEO dismissed the proposal as being in its early stages and viewed the response from Aave’s community as unnecessarily adversarial.
Polygon’s Decline in DeFi Relevance
Polygon, once a dominant player in decentralized finance with deposits peaking at $12 billion in 2021, has seen its total value locked plummet to around $850 million. Aave, accounting for about 38% of these deposits, remains one of the chain’s largest DeFi protocols.
The Aavegotchi migration underscores the broader shift in developer sentiment away from Polygon as newer blockchains such as Base and Arbitrum gain traction. For Aavegotchi, the move represents a strategic step toward reinvigorating its gaming ecosystem within a more supportive and technologically advanced blockchain environment.
