Tezos’ Layer-2 network Etherlink has broadened its gaming portfolio with the introduction of two blockchain-based titles, Pikes Arena and Cricket Champions, as part of its ongoing effort to appeal to mainstream players and strengthen its foothold in the Web3 gaming sector.
The recent rollout comes as Etherlink experiences heightened platform activity, now hosting more than 11 active games and recording around 180,000 wallet interactions over the past month. Industry observers indicated that this surge reflects the network’s growing role in blockchain gaming and its ability to support diverse genres.
Pikes Arena is positioned as a competitive, strategy-focused player-versus-player (PvP) title that integrates resource collection, tactical gameplay, and real-world incentives. It offers three distinct modes: a free “Warm-up” mode designed for skill building and practice, a token-based “Pike” mode enabling participants to earn PIKE tokens along with airdrop access, and a tez (XTZ)-based wagering mode for high-stakes PvP competition. The game incorporates Sequence’s account abstraction smart contract wallet and developer tools, allowing smoother onboarding for users unfamiliar with blockchain transactions.
Cricket Champions marks another significant addition, representing the first collectible card game themed around cricket on Etherlink. The title blends PvP card-based battles with a campaign mode featuring escalating challenges, as well as competitive esports tournaments and championships at college, city, and national levels in India. Players are expected to build and upgrade cricket-themed card decks, applying strategy to outperform rivals. The development team aims to leverage cricket’s immense international following to drive adoption, using Etherlink’s integration tools to simplify the transition for new players entering the blockchain space.
These launches join a broader wave of game development activity on the Tezos ecosystem. Veteran developer John Smedley’s Distinct Possibility Studios recently secured $30.5 million in funding for Reaper Actual, a AAA shooter being developed on Etherlink. Additionally, mobile publisher TapNation, with a track record exceeding one billion downloads, has introduced Athletic Rush on the platform. Other notable entries include Uranium Miner, which attracted 180,000 monthly active users during its first season, and Sugarverse, which is preparing to debut a Web3 title following the release of its CNDY token last year.
The network’s infrastructure for supporting game launches is also expanding. Launchpads such as OpenPad and GameFi have integrated into Tezos and Etherlink, offering both funding mechanisms and go-to-market assistance for new projects. This ecosystem growth provides developers with the resources needed to accelerate game production and market penetration.
For gamers, these latest additions present a mix of competitive PvP combat and sports-themed strategy games that integrate on-chain rewards, aiming to merge familiar gameplay formats with blockchain benefits. Analysts believe that by providing approachable, recognizable genres, Etherlink is positioning itself to attract traditional players while gradually introducing them to Web3 features, thereby potentially bridging the gap between conventional gaming audiences and the blockchain ecosystem.
