Crypto Gaming Companies Raised $476 Million in First Half of 2021

Twenty-four blockchain gaming companies raised $476 million in the first half of this year, according to a gaming industry report published by gaming venture capital data aggregator InvestGame on July 30. 

Blockchain gaming companies accounted for 5% of the deals announced and closed in the first half of this year, and 9% of the $50.2 billion raised by the industry over the same period. Of the $476 million, 75% was raised by just three companies. 

San Francisco-based blockchain infrastructure company Forte pooled $185 million for its crypto gaming platform in an investment round led by Griffin Gaming Partners, while The Sandbox developer and publisher Animoca raised $88,888,888 in a round led by Kingsway Capital. 

LA-based startup Mythical Games—famous for the sandbox multiplayer game Blankos Block Party, banked $75 million, with the bulk of it coming from Westcap.

Blockchain gaming is still a niche and expensive space. There are often high economic and technological barriers to entry for casual gamers. 

Entrants must buy expensive NFTs to start playing the viral Pokémon-inspired Axie Infinity, or stake money in Aavegotchi to build rare NFTs. 

The price of the blockchain gaming tokens linked to these projects often move in tandem; tokens like AXS, MANA, SAND and ENJ rally and crash together. 

It’s still early days, but considering blockchain gaming cornered 9% of the total value of gaming investments over the first six months of the year, there may be plenty of growth yet.

7 August 2021 14:02