Arbitrum Attracts Game Developers With Flexible Blockchain Tech

Offchain Labs CEO Steven Goldfeder highlighted the potential of Ethereum layer-2 scaling network Arbitrum to become a hub for game developers. He noted that the flexibility of Arbitrum’s tech stack, which includes support for various programming languages through Arbitrum Stylus, makes it an attractive option for creating custom blockchains for gaming. This flexibility is already being leveraged by companies like Xai Games and Proof of Play, which are building on Arbitrum’s architecture to create crypto-powered gaming experiences.

Goldfeder emphasized that the gaming industry is increasingly recognizing the benefits of blockchain technology, with top game builders now creating on-chain games. This shift is a significant improvement from previous years when blockchain games were often criticized for their poor quality. The ability to write smart contracts in different languages, including C++ and Rust, through Arbitrum Stylus, is a key factor in attracting developers to the platform.

Arbitrum Gaming Ventures, an initiative from the Arbitrum DAO, has already begun investing in gaming projects. In May, it announced its first cohort of investments, which included Xai Games and Proof of Play. These investments underscore the growing interest in using blockchain technology to enhance gaming experiences. Proof of Play, for example, has already released the role-playing game Pirate Nation on Arbitrum and then migrated it to its own Arbitrum-powered network as it matured. This dynamic mirrors Robinhood’s plans to migrate tokenized stock trading to its own blockchain, highlighting the flexibility that developers have in starting off in a “neutral environment” and progressively building toward custom arrangements.

Goldfeder noted that the focus is on gaming first, with blockchain technology serving as an additive feature that enhances the overall experience. This approach is similar to what is being seen with Robinhood, where the crypto part is accessible to everyone and adds value to the existing Web2 experience. The ability to start in a neutral environment and then migrate to custom networks as needed is a key advantage of using Arbitrum for game development.