Ethereum News Today: Bots vs. Humans: Mythical Games Deploys Blockchain to Verify Real Players

Mythical Games, a developer of popular titles like NFL Rivals and FIFA Rivals, has partnered with Sam Altman's blockchain project to combat bot-driven manipulation in gaming ecosystems. The collaboration will see Mythical build the first layer-3 blockchain atop World Chain—a layer-2 network built on Ethereum—to verify human players, according to a Coindesk report. This move aims to address a growing problem in gaming, where nearly 75% of players report diminished enjoyment due to bot activity, the Coindesk report found.

The integration of proof-of-humanity technology is designed to ensure that only verified human users can access critical parts of Mythical's ecosystem, including tournaments and asset marketplaces, the Coindesk report says. By leveraging World Chain's infrastructure, the new layer-3 blockchain will maintain Ethereum's security and finality while enabling faster, cheaper transactions optimized for verified users. Mythical, which boasts 17 million players, emphasized that the partnership aligns with its mission to create "fairer and more human" gaming experiences in an era of AI-driven automation.

World's press release highlighted that the proof-of-human approach could resolve a decades-old issue exacerbated by AI tools that make botting easier. The World ID protocol requires users to undergo a verification process to confirm they are human, a step that could curb fraudulent activities like spam trading and unfair competition, according to the Coindesk coverage. This initiative follows broader trends in blockchain adoption within the gaming sector, including the UFC's recent token sale for its onchain engagement platform, according to a Yahoo Finance report. The Yahoo report notes the UFC-backed project raised $183 million, far exceeding its $1.5 million target, underscoring growing investor confidence in blockchain-driven sports fandom.

The partnership also reflects increasing interest in blockchain solutions for AI-related challenges. For instance, a project backed by Ethereum founders recently raised $450 million in an oversubscribed token sale. While the XPL token's price has since dipped, the sale highlights the financial potential of blockchain projects addressing AI and automation concerns. Similarly, Mythical's move to integrate proof-of-humanity could attract developers and investors seeking to mitigate AI's disruptive impact on digital economies, the Coindesk report adds.

Critics, however, note that such systems are not foolproof. While World ID's verification process adds a layer of security, determined bad actors may still find ways to circumvent safeguards. Additionally, the reliance on Ethereum-based infrastructure could introduce scalability challenges, particularly as gaming ecosystems expand, the Coindesk report warns. Nonetheless, Mythical's approach represents a significant step toward balancing innovation with fairness in Web3 gaming.

As the project rolls out, the success of Mythos Chain will depend on user adoption and the effectiveness of its verification mechanisms. If successful, it could set a precedent for other gaming platforms to adopt similar blockchain-based solutions, further cementing the role of decentralized technologies in combating AI-driven fraud, according to the Coindesk report.