Mythical Games Raises $75M to Build an NFT Game Engine and Revolutionize Blockchain Gaming

Mythical Games, a prominent startup in the blockchain gaming space, has successfully raised $75 million in a Series B funding round. This significant investment, led by WestCap and joined by existing investors along with 01 Advisors and Gary Vaynerchuk's VaynerFund, brings the company's total funding to a substantial $120 million. The capital infusion is earmarked for expanding the capabilities of their first title, Blankos Block Party, and for developing a robust platform that empowers other game developers to create blockchain-based gaming experiences.

Blankos Block Party: A New Frontier in Social Gaming

Blankos Block Party is positioned as a unique blend of popular social gaming trends, reminiscent of titles like Fall Guys and Roblox, but with the added dimension of digital ownership through NFTs. The game features a user-generated content model and a marketplace where players can acquire, trade, and sell limited-edition avatar figures and accessories designed by partnered artists. A key differentiator for Mythical Games is its approach to blockchain integration: the digital assets reside on a private blockchain, preventing their resale on public platforms like OpenSea and offering a more controlled environment.

The Mythical Economic Engine: Compliance and Accessibility

Beyond its flagship game, Mythical Games is developing the "Mythical Economic Engine." This innovative platform is designed to assist game builders in creating NFT-based marketplaces that adhere to regulatory standards. It aims to marry compliance across various geographies with tools that help creators navigate anti-money laundering (AML) laws and know-your-customer (KYC) frameworks. This focus on compliance and ease of use is crucial for bringing blockchain gaming to a wider audience.

Mythical Games prioritizes user accessibility by allowing purchases with both cryptocurrency (via BitPay) and traditional credit cards. This approach removes the technical barriers often associated with crypto, such as setting up wallets or managing seed phrases, making the transition into blockchain gaming smoother for mainstream players.

Industry Trends and Expert Opinions

John Linden, CEO of Mythical Games, commented on the evolving market for NFTs, stating, "With any new market like [NFTs], it goes through all these different cycles. We think this will actually change gaming for the long haul. The more we talk to game studios, we’re finding more and more potential use cases." This sentiment reflects a broader industry belief that NFTs and blockchain technology hold significant potential to reshape the gaming landscape.

The article also references related developments:

NFT Marketplace OpenSea raises $23 million from a16z: Highlighting the growth and investment in NFT infrastructure.
NFTs could bridge video games and the fashion industry: Suggesting the expanding applications of NFTs beyond gaming.

Broader AI and Tech Landscape

In addition to the core story on Mythical Games, the TechCrunch content touches upon several other significant developments in the AI and technology sectors:

Cognition Acquires Windsurf, CEO Joins Google

Cognition, the company behind the AI coding agent Devin, has acquired Windsurf. The CEO of Windsurf is reportedly moving to Google.

Grok 4 and AI Advancements

xAI, founded by Elon Musk, has launched Grok 4, an AI model that appears to consult Musk himself for answers to tough questions. This development is part of a broader trend of AI models becoming more sophisticated and integrated into various platforms.

YouTube's AI Content Crackdown

YouTube is preparing to address concerns over "mass-produced" and "repetitive" videos, signaling a move to combat AI-generated "slop" content on its platform.

Perplexity Launches Comet Browser

Perplexity has introduced Comet, a new AI-powered web browser, further indicating the integration of AI into everyday digital tools.

AI Therapy Chatbots Raise Concerns

A recent study has highlighted significant risks associated with using AI for therapy chatbots, underscoring the need for careful consideration of AI ethics and safety in sensitive applications.

TechCrunch Event Promotion

The article also includes promotional content for "TechCrunch All Stage," an upcoming event focused on helping founders and VCs connect and gain insights. The event is scheduled for July 15th in Boston, MA.

Mythical Games Raises $75M for NFT Game Engine and Blockchain Gaming