Ragnarok Monster World Ends Its Web3 Journey

A Tough Goodbye for a Promising Web3 Title

After just one year of service, Ragnarok: Monster World (ROMW) is officially coming to an end. The developers behind the blockchain-powered tower defense game have confirmed that gameplay will cease on December 29, with all blockchain services disabled soon after.

The shutdown announcement came on October 30, marking a somber moment for fans who had followed the project since its 2024 launch. Built by ZERO X AND (0x&) under license from Gravity, the game combined the beloved Ragnarok IP with Web3 features — a mix that initially drew plenty of excitement in the blockchain gaming community.

However, the team now cites financial struggles as the key reason for the closure, despite months of effort to keep the project afloat.

From Hype to Halt – A Timeline of the Shutdown

The team behind ROMW laid out a detailed shutdown roadmap. Here’s what’s happening step by step:

• Product sales have stopped, and blockchain rewards are disabled.

• Maintenance mode has already begun, with no new updates planned.

• Gameplay will remain active until December 29.

• On that day, servers, wallets, NFT marketplace, and DEX support will all shut down.

• Customer support and community channels will close on December 30.

This gradual wind-down ensures players have time to wrap up remaining in-game activities before everything goes offline.

A Web3 Vision That Started Strong

When Ragnarok: Monster World launched in October 2024, it promised to blend classic tower defense with true player ownership — one of the hallmarks of blockchain games.

Players could choose character classes like Magician or Swordsman, build decks of monster and spell cards, and battle opponents in real time. Monsters, known as Ragmons, could be bred, traded, or staked using the game’s token economy built around ZENY and its on-chain counterpart $ZENY.

Holders of Genesis Tamers NFTs enjoyed unique privileges — from reward multipliers to access to exclusive tournaments and events. Everything in the game, from monster fusion to guild creation, tied into its blockchain-driven ecosystem.

For a while, it looked like ROMW was building a healthy, loyal community in the competitive world of Web3 gaming. But the dream began to unravel in mid-2025.

The Ronin Split That Changed Everything

One of the biggest turning points came with the fallout between 0x& and Ronin Network — the sidechain created by Sky Mavis, the team behind Axie Infinity.

Originally, the partnership between Ronin and Ragnarok: Monster World was hailed as a major milestone for the network. Yet, by May 2025, things took a drastic turn. Ronin publicly terminated the collaboration, accusing the ROMW team of secretly engaging with a rival blockchain while still promoting the game on Ronin.

The developers denied any wrongdoing, claiming their multichain plans had been openly discussed and even encouraged by Ronin leadership. Nevertheless, trust was broken.

Ronin quickly removed ROMW NFTs from its marketplace, delisted the project, and cut all official support. This sudden breakup not only damaged the game’s reputation but also alienated parts of its player base who had invested heavily in Ronin-based assets.

A Fresh Start That Never Took Off

After the separation, the team pushed forward with a relaunch on CROSS Protocol, where $ZENY became the game’s primary token. The move seemed like a fresh start — until financial troubles and player frustration began to surface.

By October 2025, the CROSS Protocol team confirmed that all ROMW NFTs would be delisted and $ZENY removed from the DEX. Once that happens, all blockchain connections tied to Ragnarok: Monster World will officially end.

It’s an abrupt finish for what once looked like one of the more polished and promising blockchain games to use a recognizable IP.

Community Reaction – Anger, Memes, and Some Sympathy

As news spread, reactions across social media and gaming forums were swift and emotional.

Many Web3 gamers expressed anger and disappointment, with some calling the project a “rug pull”. One viral post labeled the situation “the funniest Web3 gaming rug in a while,” mocking the studio’s move from Ronin to CROSS as “chaotic.”

Others accused the developers of poor communication and failing to protect investors and players who held now-worthless NFTs.

Still, a few voices in the community offered empathy. One user said they personally knew team members at 0x& and understood that the shutdown wasn’t due to bad intentions, but rather a lack of sustainable funding and a tough market environment.

The mixed response highlights just how polarizing the Web3 gaming landscape remains — a space where innovation and risk often go hand in hand.

Lessons From Ragnarok: Monster World’s Fall

Ragnarok: Monster World’s short yet eventful life serves as a reminder of how fragile Web3 gaming ecosystems can be. Even a project with a strong IP, an engaged community, and a playable product can collapse under financial strain and fractured partnerships.

The breakup with Ronin exposed the challenges of operating across multiple blockchains, while the shutdown revealed the economic realities of maintaining player rewards, token liquidity, and technical infrastructure.

For future developers, the takeaway is clear: transparency, sustainability, and trust must come before tokenomics and hype.

The End of an Era, and a Look Ahead

As Ragnarok: Monster World fades out, it leaves behind both lessons and memories. From its promising launch in 2024 to its final sunset in 2025, the game’s story captures the highs and lows of the Web3 gaming revolution.

Even as this project ends, the broader world of blockchain games continues to evolve rapidly. New platforms are emerging with stronger business models, clearer communication, and better alignment between developers and players.

While Ragnarok: Monster World didn’t survive, its journey adds an important chapter to the history of Web3 gaming — one that future creators will undoubtedly study closely.