Aria Secures $5M to Bring AAA Web3 Gaming to the Masses

The blockchain gaming space is heating up, and Aria is positioning itself as a serious contender in the race to deliver next-gen Web3 gaming to players worldwide. Backed by major industry players and boasting impressive milestones, Aria is aiming to blur the line between traditional gaming and blockchain-powered ownership. Let’s explore what’s driving the hype—and what’s next.

$5M Funding Boost from Top Web3 Investors

Aria’s recent $5 million funding round marks a major milestone in their journey. The round was led by heavyweights like Folius Ventures, The Spartan Group, and the Beam Foundation—the creators of the sovereign Layer 1 Beam network. Joining them were Animoca Brands, Galaxy Interactive, and others who previously participated in Aria’s seed round.

While the specific allocation of funds remains under wraps, the mission is clear: to deliver AAA-quality Web3 gaming experiences that rival traditional titles in both gameplay and production value. This latest investment signals a strong vote of confidence in Aria’s vision, especially from backers with deep roots in blockchain games.

What Is Aria?

Formerly known as Manasis Refrain, Aria rebranded in late 2022 with a goal to expand beyond Japan and appeal to a global player base. At its core, Aria is an open-world third-person action RPG that blends high-end visuals, anime aesthetics, and immersive gameplay with true digital ownership via blockchain.

The flagship game is being developed for Android and iOS, with a focus on delivering performance on high-end mobile devices. While a Q2 2025 launch was previously hinted at, the timeline appears to have shifted, and no new official release date or updated roadmap has been shared. However, development is still clearly active, with multiple closed beta tests showing promising results.

Impressive Early Milestones

Despite the shifting roadmap, Aria has already demonstrated serious traction:

• Two closed betas, one of which engaged 10,000 testers, and the other boasting over 5,000 daily active users, claiming one of the best retention rates in Web3 gaming.

• Over 1 million NFT registrations on BNB Chain.

• Tens of thousands of NFT holders transacting via TON-powered Getgems marketplace.

• Onboarding of 3 million+ casual players through their innovative Telegram bot, which introduced NFT staking for Aria Credits—airdrop points tied to future rewards.

These milestones speak volumes about Aria’s ability to build and sustain an engaged community while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in blockchain games.

Telegram Mini-Games: Casual Onboarding, Serious Utility

To further expand its reach, Aria is launching a trio of Telegram-based mini-games designed to attract and retain casual gamers while feeding into the core RPG experience.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming:

• Compass: A casual idle game where players collect Crystals.

• Totebot: A puzzle/strategy hybrid focused on inventory management and Equipment collection.

• IO: A PvP-style duel game where players earn Characters.

The key twist? All items—Crystals, Equipment, Characters—will likely be NFTs, fully interoperable with Aria’s flagship RPG. So whether you're upgrading your build or flipping assets on the marketplace, these mini-games are more than just side quests.

No exact release dates are available yet, but the mini-games are part of a broader ecosystem strategy to bridge casual gaming with deeper Web3 mechanics.

$ARIA Token: Governance and Ownership

At the center of the Aria ecosystem is $ARIA, the native governance token that will enable players to vote on future updates, events, and game features. Here’s what we know so far:

• Total supply: 1 billion tokens.

• Community allocation: 51%, mostly via airdrops and in-game activities.

• Team allocation: 15%, locked for 6 months post-TGE, followed by a 36-month linear vesting period.

However, much of the tokenomics remains under wraps, which has already sparked some concerns. During the second closed beta, players cited lack of clarity on token details as a pain point. According to a recent update on X (formerly Twitter), a revised tokenomics document is expected soon, potentially this August.

The Road Ahead: AI Agents and Major Announcements

While Aria gears up for its next phase, the team isn’t slowing down. A recent social post teased the development of ARIA Character AI Agents, aiming to enhance immersion and inject more personality into the game’s characters. These agents may influence how players interact with NPCs, deepening the narrative and strategic layers of gameplay.

There was also a teaser that “something big” is coming soon—though that may have referred to the funding news. Either way, the momentum is building.

Why Aria Matters in Blockchain Gaming

Aria stands out in a crowded field by offering a mobile-native, anime-styled RPG that combines hardcore gameplay with accessible entry points like Telegram mini-games and a vibrant NFT economy. The fact that they’re attracting top-tier investors and achieving early success in user engagement suggests they’re onto something real.

For players who want more than just “play-to-earn” mechanics—for those seeking real games, with real fun and real ownership—Aria could be a project worth watching closely.

Whether you're a die-hard RPG fan, a blockchain gaming enthusiast, or just curious about where the future of gaming is headed, keep an eye on Aria. And don’t forget to explore more upcoming blockchain games and news on NFT Playgrounds.