Blockchain
NEON Closes Successful Seed Funding Round, Raising $10.5 Million Led by Griffin Gaming Partners
Griffin Gaming Partners, Polychain Capital, and Forte.io have invested in the development of a AAA blockchain-enabled game by the talent behind Halo, Call of Duty, and Star Wars
NEON, an independent game studio, has closed a successful seed funding round, raising $10.5 million USD to build the world’s first blockchain-enabled AAA first-person shooter game. Demonstrating significant interest in the project across the gaming, blockchain, and technology sectors, the oversubscribed round was led by Griffin Gaming Partners, alongside Polychain Capital and Forte. Forte will also provide technical support to the project.
Designed to reward and empower players and creators, Shrapnel will be the world’s first blockchain-enabled AAA first-person shooter game. Full details of the game are set to be announced next year.
Commenting on the raise, Mark Long, CEO at NEON, said, “When we saw the market research that players want to truly own their digital items, we knew there was a unique opportunity in blockchain. Thanks to Griffin’s investment and expertise, along with Polychain and Forte, we can bring to life a game and mod platform that I’ve dreamed of making for years. This team is inspiring to work with. We know we have the right game with the right tech at the right time.”
Spun-out from HBO Interactive, the NEON team has unmatched professional experience in transmedia, virtual production, and gaming-as-a-service. Comprised of BAFTA and Emmy award-winning game industry veterans hailing from some of the world’s leading game companies including Xbox, Electronic Arts, HBO, LucasFilm, Irrational, and Zombie Ent amongst others, NEON’s vision is to create the most immersive gaming experience ever seen in the crypto space. To support this vision, a range of blockchain and deep tech experts will support the architectural and design needs of the game.
Pierre Planche, Partner at Griffin Gaming Partners, said, “Griffin is thrilled to be working closely with Mark and the NEON team as well as an awesome group of strategic partners. It is exciting to see a AAA games team of this caliber contribute to moving the blockchain gaming ecosystem forward with a focus on quality gameplay and long-term value. NEON is authentically leveraging some of the most exciting pillars of utility that blockchain has to offer gaming – its core game design innovates on competitive game modes, and its digital economy will directly reward and empower the community. As a long-time FPS player and prior esports competitor in the genre, I know Shrapnel is exactly the experience my peers and I can’t wait to get our hands on. “
Ben Perszyk, Partner at Polychain, said, “Polychain has long held that crypto will enable novel, unforeseen behaviors, businesses, and use cases, and we are seeing another example of that now with Shrapnel. We believe crypto assets and incentive structures will fundamentally change the way users play games, and we’re extremely excited to see the experienced team at NEON push the envelope forward on what’s possible in the crypto gaming industry by integrating crypto into a deep, immersive, AAA-style FPS experience.”
Josh Williams, CEO and Co-Founder of Forte, said, “Experienced game developers like the NEON team know that core gameplay and engagement mechanics are crucial for staying power. They are committed to creating sustainable blockchain ecosystems by putting game design and user experience first and we are honored they’ve chosen Forte to help them bring their vision to life.”
Blockchain
HIPTHER Announces Major Expansion into Fintech, Blockchain, and AI, Reinforcing Its Position as a Diverse Industry News Leader
Building on its established success in the gambling and iGaming sectors, HIPTHER Agency is excited to announce a significant expansion of its editorial focus into three dynamic industries: fintech, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. This strategic move is part of HIPTHER’s ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive, in-depth coverage across a spectrum of industries, including virtual reality, esports, and official global government releases.
Focused Expansion for a Diverse Audience
The expansion into fintech, blockchain, and AI represents HIPTHER’s dedication to staying at the forefront of technological and financial advancements. By integrating these sectors into the HIPTHER .com platform, the agency offers its audience a rich, diverse content experience, positioning itself as a one-stop destination for insights across these cutting-edge fields.
Enhanced Digital Presence and Accessibility
Complementing this expansion, HIPTHER continues to enhance its digital footprint. The agency’s Android app has already established a strong user base, and with the anticipation of an iOS app in 2024, HIPTHER is set to broaden its reach and accessibility. The agency’s social media channels are also being rebranded to reflect this expanded focus, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive digital experience.
Unwavering Commitment to Quality and Insight
HIPTHER, known for its high-quality content in the gambling industry, extends this commitment to its new sectors. The agency’s team of experts and seasoned journalists is dedicated to delivering insightful, accurate, and timely information, catering to the needs of a diverse, global audience.
Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at HIPTHER, states, “Our expansion into fintech, blockchain, and AI is a natural progression of our mission to provide diverse, in-depth industry news. We’re excited to bring our expertise and quality content to these vibrant sectors, while continuing to serve our existing audiences with the coverage they trust.”
For more information, please visit HIPTHER.com
Blockchain
Empowering Women in Web3: Polish Blockchain Association’s Exciting Initiative
Hipther proudly announces the commendable initiative by the Polish Blockchain Association: the “Top Women of Web3, Central and Eastern Europe edition.” This groundbreaking effort aims to spotlight and celebrate the outstanding contributions of women shaping the Web3 landscape in Poland and the broader Central and Eastern European region.
Diversity as a Driving Force
Recognizing the transformative power of diversity, the Polish Blockchain Association acknowledges the invaluable impact women are making in the Web3 and blockchain industry. Despite these significant contributions, women remain underrepresented in the public sphere of the industry, particularly at conferences, webinars, and other events. The initiative seeks to address this imbalance and bring more visibility to the achievements of female colleagues in the region.
Nominate Outstanding Women
If you share this commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity, we invite you to participate in this empowering initiative. Nominate outstanding women who have had a direct impact on the Web3 space over the past year. Whether it’s yourself or a colleague, we want to hear about the remarkable women shaping the industry in Central and Eastern Europe!
To nominate, simply visit the nomination page. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2023, and the winners will be announced in January 2024.
Recognition and Rewards
The Polish Blockchain Association will select 20 outstanding profiles from the nominations, and the winners will be featured in a special report. This report will not only be published by the association but, subject to consent, will also be made available to conference and event organizers. This initiative aims to increase the visibility of women in core industry events as speakers and contributors. Additionally, winners will receive free tickets or discounts to attend the next year’s Tech of Tomorrow Conference, organized by the Polish Blockchain Association on September 19-20, 2024.
Inspire the Next Generation
By showcasing the diverse talent in the Web3 space, we aspire to inspire the next generation of leaders. Join the Polish Blockchain Association in supporting and recognizing the women who are driving innovation and excellence in the blockchain and Web3 industry.
Hipther is proud to stand alongside our Strategic Partners, the Polish Blockchain Association, in communicating this impactful initiative. Let’s work together to create a more inclusive future for the world of technology!
The Polish Blockchain Association is a non-profit organization fostering knowledge and experience exchange in the area of blockchain technology. Their mission is to connect experts, developers, enterprises and tech enthusiasts, and serve as a collaboration-enabling platform for the whole Polish and global blockchain community. Under the scope of this mission, they have joined forces with Hipther as Strategic Partners for the most impactful GameTech in-person gathering in CEE, the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit.
Blockchain
Oddin.gg Teams Up with Betswap: Pioneering a Hybrid Esports Betting Experience with Advanced iFrame Tech!
Oddin.gg has announced an exciting new partnership with Betswap, a leading destination for sports and casino enthusiasts. This collaboration aims to enhance the esports betting experience for Betswap and its user community by utilizing Oddin’s advanced iFrame
technology.
The first blockchain based exchange rate platform Betswap emerges as a groundbreaking platform that seamlessly blends the worlds of sports betting, casinos, and esports. Pioneering a novel approach, it’s both a decentralized and centralized hybrid, allowing users to experience the best of both worlds. The incorporation of the Oddin’s iFrame functionality extends Betswap’s reach to capture the attention and engagement of esports enthusiasts, gamers, and bettors alike.
Marek Suchar, Managing Director and Co-founder at Oddin.gg, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to announce our partnership with Betswap.gg, where we are harnessing Oddin’s sophisticated iFrame technology to enhance the esports betting experience. Together, Oddin.gg
and Betswap.gg stand ready to adapt swiftly to the dynamic changes introduced by CS2, showcasing our commitment to providing comprehensive coverage of the inaugural official CS2 matches. We stand at the vanguard of technical innovation with our esports betting solution, and we are honored to collaborate with a similarly pioneering technological firm that is actively exploring new horizons in the realms of blockchain and web 3.0 technology.”
Thawfeek Ameen, CMO at Betswap, comments: “In partnership with Oddin.gg, Betswap is thrilled to announce the integration of their avant-garde iFrame solution into our platform. Having meticulously prepared together, we’re poised to seamlessly navigate the pivotal transition to Counter Strike 2. This groundbreaking addition is set to redefine the esports betting landscape, taking our platform to unprecedented heights and providing our users with a superior esports betting experience. Beyond just functional enhancements, this collaboration is aimed at boosting engagement and attracting the new generation of esports enthusiasts. Our partnership with Oddin.gg perfectly encapsulates our unwavering commitment to excellence, further cementing our position in the rapidly expanding global arena.”
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