Immutable has outlined plans to consolidate its two major blockchain technologies—Immutable X and Immutable zkEVM—into a single unified chain, signaling a pivotal transformation in the Web3 gaming landscape. The transition is slated for late 2025 and is expected to streamline the platform’s infrastructure while enhancing developer tools and player experience across its expanding ecosystem.
Details of the Transition
The upcoming consolidation will see Immutable X, the platform’s original Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, gradually phased out in favor of Immutable zkEVM. The newer zkEVM chain, launched in early 2024, has already managed to process nearly 150 million transactions, making it a mature and capable successor.
Once the merge is completed, all activities, including gaming, development, and asset management, will take place on a singular, streamlined chain now referred to simply as “Immutable.” According to the company’s plans, the transition process is designed to be seamless, requiring no direct intervention from users. Assets will be automatically migrated to the new chain, with Immutable covering all associated migration and gas fees. Moreover, the transition will retain compatibility with existing RPCs, chain IDs, and smart contracts, ensuring minimal disruption to current operations.
The company emphasized that the merge is more than a routine technical upgrade. It is intended to unlock the full potential of EVM compatibility for all games within the ecosystem. This will enable developers to integrate widely adopted tools and libraries more easily and allow players to enjoy improved gameplay, smoother transactions, and enhanced liquidity for in-game tokens.
Implications for the Web3 Gaming Community
As a prominent player in the blockchain gaming sector, Immutable already supports a wide range of games, including well-known titles such as Gods Unchained, Guild of Guardians, and Illuvium. The migration to a single chain is expected to bolster the entire ecosystem in multiple ways. Developers will gain access to streamlined EVM-compatible smart contracts, while asset liquidity will improve through better support for token standards like ERC1155. The shift also promotes stronger community interaction, as all games and players converge on a common chain.
Third-party DeFi tool integration and easier fiat onramps are also among the anticipated benefits. The platform began its initial migration wave in 2024, with Guild of Guardians already making a successful move to zkEVM. Several other projects are reportedly lined up to follow suit.
Player and Developer Expectations
For most players, the transition is expected to occur without any noticeable changes. Those using Immutable Passport or common wallets such as MetaMask will see their assets appear under the new zkEVM chain automatically. Immutable Passport users, in particular, will experience a completely hands-off migration, while others will observe no change to their wallet addresses. In addition, a new staking mechanism will be made available on zkEVM, offering more options for token holders.
The platform is also accommodating users who may prefer to withdraw from the ecosystem prior to the merge by providing a method for bridging assets back to Ethereum.
On the developer side, the company will handle the automatic migration of standard token types like ERC20 and ERC721, and has committed to supporting custom migrations for projects that require special configurations or ERC1155 adoption. Applications using Immutable X APIs will need to transition to zkEVM equivalents, with full migration documentation already prepared to assist teams in the shift.
Immutable’s Evolution and Future Outlook
Immutable’s journey began in 2018 with co-founders James and Robbie Ferguson and Alex Connolly. Initially gaining recognition through the Ethereum-based game Etherbots, the company reached a wider audience with Gods Unchained, a blockchain-enabled card game focused on digital asset ownership. Their broader mission has consistently centered around empowering gamers with true control over their digital possessions.
To solve Ethereum’s early performance and cost issues, Immutable launched Immutable X, offering zero-gas NFT minting via ZK-rollup technology. Building on this, Immutable now provides a comprehensive toolkit for blockchain gaming, including Immutable Passport for seamless user onboarding, Immutable Orderbook & Checkout for marketplace support, and the zkEVM chain that serves as the future core of the platform.
As of late 2024, over 440 games were in development within the Immutable ecosystem. By unifying its technological infrastructure, the company is reinforcing its commitment to scaling Web3 gaming and simplifying access for developers, players, and partners alike.
