Independent game studio iCandy has revealed ambitious plans to spearhead the development of a dedicated gaming infrastructure and tools on zkSync. In collaboration with Matter Labs, iCandy is set to establish zkCandy, a new enterprise focused on creating a hyperchain tailored for interactive gaming and artificial intelligence (AI) within the innovative application layer protocol. This initiative marks a significant advancement in the Web3 gaming sphere, aiming to address the acknowledged scarcity of high-quality entertainment options in this technological domain.
Leveraging Expertise in Web2 and Web3 Game Development
The zkCandy project will benefit from iCandy’s substantial experience in both Web2 and Web3 game development. With a proven track record encompassing AAA titles such as Street Fighter 6, The Last of Us, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, alongside casual mobile games like Monopoly Go and Web3 games like Yuga Labs’ Otherside: Legends of The Mara, iCandy brings a wealth of knowledge to the collaboration.
Addressing the Gap in Web3 Gaming
Citing data from the Game7s 2023 State of Web3 Gaming Report, which highlights a gap in the market for adept game developers capable of delivering top-notch gaming experiences within the Web3 context, the collaboration between iCandy and Matter Labs aims to reverse the current trend. The report reveals a 65% decrease in the annual launch of Web3 games from 2022 and a more than 72% drop from the industry’s peak in 2021.
Joint Commitment to zkCandy’s Development
iCandy and Matter Labs will pool their resources to drive the development of zkCandy, utilizing Matter Labs’ Zero-Knowledge Stack framework and iCandy’s extensive gaming expertise to create a dedicated Layer2 hyperchain. The newly formed company, zkCandy Limited, is dedicated to establishing the hyperchain and enhancing the gaming experience for developers and users.
A representative from zkCandy emphasized, “The overarching goal of this collaboration will be to pave the way for the next generation of interactive gaming experiences on the blockchain,” highlighting the role of zkSync and the expertise behind the ZK Stack in advancing the industry.
Unlocking Access for Millions of Players
Michael Lee, former Activision Blizzard executive and current SVP of Growth at Matter Labs, acknowledged iCandy Interactive as one of the world’s largest independent video game developers. With an impressive portfolio that includes games for iconic franchises, the collaboration aims to establish zkCandy as a trailblazer in Web3 games, opening access to hundreds of millions of players.
First Wave of Web3 Games on zkSync
The tangible outcome of this collaboration will be the development and deployment of three casual-player Web3 games on zkSync in the first quarter of 2024. These games, namely ‘Choo Choo Spirits’, ‘Blaster Rush 3×3 shooter’, and ‘Future Girls’, represent the initial steps toward revolutionizing the Web3 gaming landscape and delivering enhanced experiences to a global audience.
