Arbitrum Gaming Ventures Invests $10M in Groundbreaking Web3 Projects

In a bold move that underscores its commitment to redefining the gaming landscape, Arbitrum Gaming Ventures, in collaboration with Paradigm, Framework Ventures, and BITKRAFT, has invested $10 million in a hand-picked group of web3 gaming projects. This marks the first wave of investments from the newly rebranded initiative, formerly known as The Gaming Catalyst, which is backed by Arbitrum DAO’s $200 million $ARB fund.

So, what does this mean for the future of blockchain games? Let’s dive into the details and discover the games and platforms leading this next generation of gaming innovation.

What Is Arbitrum Gaming Ventures?

Arbitrum Gaming Ventures (AGV) is not just another venture capital branch—it’s a strategic powerhouse aimed at accelerating the adoption of blockchain gaming on the Arbitrum network. The $200 million fund is designed to back visionary teams building high-quality, scalable web3 experiences that can rival mainstream titles.

Rick Johanson, Partner at AGV, summed it up perfectly:

“We’re backing founders who aren’t just making games—they’re helping build a vibrant Arbitrum ecosystem.”

This initiative is about more than just flashy graphics or play-to-earn models. It’s about long-term engagement, strong communities, and smart integration of blockchain tech.

Meet the First Cohort: 5 Web3 Projects with Big Potential

This initial $10 million investment round is funding five standout projects, each bringing something unique to the table:

1. Wildcard

2. Hyve Labs

3. T-Rex

4. Xai

5. Proof of Play

Let’s explore what makes each of these projects a key piece in Arbitrum’s expanding gaming universe.

Wildcard: A Spectator-Friendly MOBA with Real-Time Reactions

Wildcard is not your typical MOBA. It combines 2v2 card-based battles, third-person action, and spectator interactivity in a dazzling mash-up. Players summon allies through cards while fighting in dynamic arenas—and here's the twist: viewers can trigger in-game events in real time!

Created by Paul Bettner (of Age of Empires and Words With Friends fame) and Katy Drake Bettner, Wildcard has already made waves, especially with its Steam listing and closed alpha playtests.

Katy Drake Bettner expressed her enthusiasm:

“Arbitrum Gaming Ventures represents a commitment to real use cases for blockchain in games—we’re thrilled to be part of their first cohort.”

For fans of action-packed, interactive multiplayer games, Wildcard could be a major blockchain gaming hit.

Hyve Labs: Frictionless Gaming Across Social Platforms

Hyve Labs is building something ambitious—a web3 gaming ecosystem and rollup that enables real-time multiplayer experiences directly on platforms like Telegram, X, Farcaster, and even in web browsers.

The goal? Seamless gameplay without the usual web3 friction. With $2.75 million already raised in a pre-seed round from Framework Ventures, Hyve Labs is positioned to redefine how and where we play blockchain games.

Their vision aligns perfectly with Arbitrum’s mission to bring gaming to broader, mainstream audiences in intuitive ways.

T-Rex: A Blockchain Designed for Daily Interactions

T-Rex is a purpose-built blockchain focused on consumer applications, particularly in emerging markets. It aims to blend blockchain infrastructure with everyday digital experiences, targeting the fast-growing Southeast Asian gaming market.

This project isn’t just about gaming—it’s about creating an ecosystem where users interact with blockchain without even realizing it, making it more accessible than ever.

Xai: The First Layer 3 Chain for Indie Games

Xai is one of the most exciting projects in this cohort. It claims to be the world’s first Layer 3 chain for indie games, powered by Arbitrum Orbit. By integrating over 40,000 Steam titles using a novel Proof-of-Skill system, Xai is building bridges between the worlds of traditional gaming and web3.

This is a massive leap forward in efforts to bring mainstream gamers into the blockchain ecosystem, especially with scalability and performance in mind.

Proof of Play: On-Chain Games from a FarmVille Creator

Led by Amitt Mahajan, the co-creator of FarmVille, Proof of Play is building Pirate Nation, a fully on-chain blockchain RPG. The studio is backed by a16z and focuses on making scalable, transparent, and replayable games on-chain.

AGV describes Proof of Play as a “key ecosystem pillar” for the future of web3 gaming, thanks to their tech stack that supports millions of players.

Pirate Nation is expected to anchor user engagement on Arbitrum, showing how story-rich, decentralized RPGs can rival traditional games.

More Grants, More Growth: Arbitrum’s Continued Support for Blockchain Gaming

Beyond the initial $10M investment, Arbitrum has been consistently funding promising projects across the gaming spectrum. Some recent recipients include:

• Tarta Games for development of Spot Zero

• Sanko for AI-driven user-generated content tools

• L3E7, creators of a cyberpunk RPG blending anime themes with location-based gameplay

All of these efforts contribute to a rapidly maturing blockchain games ecosystem that’s poised for global adoption.

Final Thoughts: Arbitrum Bets Big on Web3 Games

Arbitrum Gaming Ventures’ first round of investments is a strong signal to the market—web3 gaming is no longer just experimental, it’s strategic.

From social-based games on Telegram to fully on-chain RPGs and Layer 3 indie chains, the diversity in this first cohort shows that the future of gaming on blockchain is not only multi-genre but multi-platform.

And with continued support from the Arbitrum Foundation, it’s clear we’re only at the beginning of a new era in blockchain gaming.