Moonfrost Redefines Its Game Path

A Surprising Turn for a Cozy Farming RPG

In a move that surprised much of the web3 gaming community, Moonfrost, the charming farming RPG once tied to the Open Loot ecosystem, has officially stepped away from blockchain integration. The developers announced that Moonfrost will now launch as a standalone premium PC title on Steam, leaving behind NFTs, tokens, and crypto altogether.

But this isn’t the end of Moonfrost’s web3 story — far from it. Alongside this major shift, the team unveiled a brand-new initiative called Frost Arcade, a separate web3-focused platform where blockchain gameplay will continue in a faster, more accessible way.

Moonfrost Parts Ways with Web3

Originally designed as a hybrid farming adventure combining cozy life-sim elements with blockchain ownership, Moonfrost entered early access on Open Loot in July. To play, users needed special NFTs such as Frost Hunter Licenses or Gnome Keys. Over the following months, the game hosted multiple in-game events like The Hibiscus Event and the Dahlia Derby, where players could earn tokens like Cryo, Liquid Luck, and even USDC.

However, just two days after the Halloween-themed Dahlia Derby ended, the developers made a stunning announcement. On November 5, they confirmed that Moonfrost was leaving Open Loot for good:

“Things have changed a lot over the course of the year, and it is no longer sustainable for Moonfrost to continue there… Moonfrost can’t cater to both a web2 and web3 audience simultaneously.”

This decision marks a complete pivot. The new Steam version will drop all blockchain features and focus solely on delivering a rich, cozy gameplay experience for traditional gamers.

Why the Team Made the Change

The Moonfrost team was transparent about the challenges behind their decision. They explained that building a large, story-driven RPG at the pace web3 audiences expect was simply unsustainable.

“Web3 and web2 audiences are completely different and want different things: web3 want to make money, web2 just want a good game.”

High development costs, slow production cycles, and pressure to deliver financial upside led to the tough choice of separating the two experiences. It’s a reflection of the broader struggle faced by many blockchain games in 2025 — balancing fun, sustainability, and player expectations.

Enter Frost Arcade: Web3 Reimagined

To ensure the project’s web3 roots aren’t forgotten, the studio introduced Frost Arcade, a new hub designed specifically for blockchain gamers. Unlike Moonfrost’s large-scale RPG world, Frost Arcade focuses on fast, lightweight, and browser-based titles.

The goal? Build a “pure web3 gaming experience” that thrives on agility and community-driven engagement. These shorter, arcade-style games will feature multiplayer modes, co-op systems, PvP battles, leaderboards, and recurring events.

“Being a leaner, meaner machine means we can build more, build faster, and deliver more value to the community,” the team explained.

Web3 Assets Still Have a Home

One of the most reassuring aspects for long-time Moonfrost supporters is that their web3 assets will still matter. Items and currencies from the Open Loot era will carry over into Frost Arcade.

Players will be able to use:

• Collectibles like Pickaxes, Workbenches, Gnomes, and Fishing Rods across new mini-games.

• Currencies such as Cryo, Liquid Luck, and Event Vouchers.

• NFT Licenses like the Frost Hunter License, which will continue offering perks in future Frost Arcade titles.

Although the developers haven’t yet revealed the full transfer mechanics, they promised that more details about eligibility, balances, and timing will arrive soon.

Leadership Split Between Projects

With the creation of Frost Arcade, the Moonfrost team has divided responsibilities to better manage both worlds. CEO Ric Moore will lead Frost Arcade and spearhead its web3 development, while co-CEO and Art Director Gina Nelson focuses on completing the Steam version of Moonfrost.

This dual structure allows the studio to cater to two very different audiences without diluting the experience for either.

Could “Risk-to-Earn” Define Frost Arcade’s Future?

Ric Moore has previously spoken about moving away from the unsustainable “play-to-earn” model that once dominated the web3 space. Instead, he introduced the idea of “Risk-to-Earn” (R2E) — a system more akin to competitive gaming than passive income.

“The old approach to play-to-earn stopped working. It’s inflationary… Risk-to-Earn solves this. Poker is R2E.”

The concept allows players to pay a small entry fee to join an event or match, with the total pool redistributed as rewards to top performers. It’s skill-based, transparent, and designed to sustain long-term engagement.

Although Frost Arcade hasn’t confirmed R2E integration yet, the model aligns well with its focus on quick, replayable browser games — offering a more dynamic and fair approach to blockchain gaming.

Community Reactions: Mixed and Emotional

Not everyone welcomed the news. Many web3 supporters felt blindsided, especially after spending money on NFTs and tokens just weeks before the announcement. Some community members accused the team of abandoning early backers, while others expressed understanding given the market’s current volatility.

On X (formerly Twitter), one player wrote:

“You literally rinsed the WEB3 community the last month… dangling NFTs you knew were worthless.”

Another said:

“Not a good move team… The news you gave back was painful. Your thought that this new news will uplift people… can fire back.”

The emotional reactions highlight the tension between traditional gamers seeking comfort and creativity and web3 players seeking financial opportunity and interoperability.

A Reflection of the Broader Web3 Gaming Shift

Moonfrost’s decision mirrors a growing trend across the industry. Games like Deadrop and Nyan Heroes have also stepped back from blockchain integration in 2025, citing similar issues — unsustainable economics, slow production cycles, and fragmented player bases.

It’s a pivotal moment for blockchain games everywhere. Studios are re-evaluating how to combine true ownership and decentralized economies with accessible, fun gameplay.

By separating Moonfrost and Frost Arcade, the team hopes to serve both audiences — a traditional gaming community craving immersive storytelling, and a web3 crowd looking for innovation and rewards — without compromise.

Final Thoughts

Moonfrost’s pivot isn’t a failure; it’s a recalibration. It shows that the web3 gaming space is still evolving, learning, and adapting. The creation of Frost Arcade keeps the spirit of experimentation alive, while the Steam version of Moonfrost ensures the game reaches a wider audience.

In the end, this move might just define a new model for future blockchain games — one where creativity and community can thrive side by side, even if they live in separate worlds.