This Week in Crypto Games: 'Off the Grid' Coming to Steam, Ethereum's 'Ember Sword' Shuts Down

Crypto Gaming Landscape Evolves: From Shutdowns to Expansions

The crypto gaming space continues to be a dynamic and ever-changing landscape, marked by both challenges and opportunities. As the industry navigates the current market environment, a mix of project closures and ambitious expansions has emerged.

Off the Grid Transitions to Mainnet, Attracts High-Value NFT Trades

The Avalanche-powered battle royale shooter game, Off the Grid, is gradually transitioning its player base from the testnet to the GUNZ mainnet, enabling real cryptocurrency trading of in-game items for GUN tokens. Despite only about 0.13% of the game's 16.5 million players currently able to access the mainnet marketplace, high-value trades are already taking place. Notable recent sales include a Prankster tactical vest for $2,393, a ZipperMouth mask for $1,100, and various other rare items fetching hundreds to thousands of dollars. The game's most coveted items, the ultra-rare Pioneer and Legacy weapons, are being held by collectors in anticipation of future updates that could drive five-figure sales.

Interestingly, Off the Grid is set to expand to the PC platform Steam in June, despite Steam's 2021 ban on blockchain games. The details of how this will be implemented remain to be seen, as other platforms like PlayStation and Xbox have also restricted crypto features.

Ember Sword Shuts Down Due to Lack of Funding

In a blow to the crypto gaming industry, the Ethereum-based MMORPG Ember Sword has shut down due to a lack of funding. Developer Bright Star Studios, despite attracting prominent investors and gaming industry veterans as advisors, was unable to secure the continued financing required to keep the project afloat in the current market climate.

Ember Sword had launched during the 2021 metaverse boom, attracting nearly 35,000 players who pledged $203 million for its NFT land sale. However, the actual amount raised was reportedly far less than the eye-popping figure. The game's disappointing reception during its closed beta in July 2024 and the subsequent crash of its EMBER token, which plummeted over 99% from peak levels, ultimately led to its demise.

Broader Trends in Crypto Gaming Shutdowns

The closure of Ember Sword reflects a broader trend of crypto game shutdowns in the industry. Recent casualties include Nyan Heroes, Blast Royale, and Tatsumeeko, all of which closed within the same period, as well as other prominent 2025 closures such as Deadrop and The Mystery Society. This wave of closures highlights the funding challenges facing blockchain gaming projects in the current market environment.

Despite these setbacks, the crypto gaming landscape continues to evolve, with new projects emerging and established ones navigating the complexities of the market. As the industry matures, the ability to secure sustainable funding and navigate regulatory hurdles will be crucial for the long-term success of crypto gaming ventures.