Moku Appoints Kathleen Osgood as CBO to Drive Crypto AI Gaming Innovation

Moku, a community-focused gaming startup, has appointed Kathleen Osgood as its chief business officer to solidify its position as a key player in crypto-powered AI gaming. Osgood, who previously served as the Director of Business Development for Ronin builder Sky Mavis and Director of Market Development for Jump Capital, will focus on bringing new partnerships, market-makers, and institutions to the a16z Speedrun-backed studio.

Osgood has openly criticized the current state of Web3 gaming, stating that the industry is broken due to the repetitive models being used. She emphasized that the focus should not be on creating more games but on developing a different way to earn from games. This perspective aligns with Moku's mission to innovate within the crypto gaming sector.

In September, Moku secured $5.35 million in funding from various investors, including Sky Mavis, a16z Games’ Speedrun, Framework Ventures, 32-bit Ventures, and over a dozen angel investors. The company began in 2021 as a launchpad and engagement platform for the Ronin community but has since expanded to include its own Ronin-based NFT collection and a flagship game, Grand Arena. The Moki NFTs, which resemble bear-raccoon hybrids, are priced at around 219 RON, equivalent to approximately $96.

Osgood highlighted that Moku's upcoming game, Grand Arena, is designed with AI integration in mind. She noted that the prevalence of bots in Web3 gaming has led to a lack of a sticky audience, which is a significant issue for the industry. Moku aims to address this by creating an AI system that can engage users in a more authentic and immersive way.

In Grand Arena, players can bring their select NFTs into the game as cards and have them battle each other in a hands-off manner, where the human player primarily acts as a spectator. NFT owners can also earn royalties on their assets when they are used in-game. The game's environment suggests vertical battler elements similar to MapleStory or Super Smash Bros., making it appealing to those who hold different NFTs but may not have the time to grind levels in various games.

Osgood believes that Grand Arena has the potential to transcend traditional gaming and become an AI-native competitive layer for all of gaming. She envisions a future where idle NFTs, assets, or IP can plug themselves into the game, creating a new niche within the crypto gaming industry. The Moku team plans to initially focus on Moki Mayhem with its own NFTs within Grand Arena, with future plans to allow third-party collections to plug in.

Osgood's insights into the current state of crypto gaming highlight the need for innovation and strategic planning. By addressing the root causes of the industry's problems, such as bot activity and audience engagement, Moku aims to create a more authentic and sustainable gaming environment. This proactive approach underscores the importance of fostering a dedicated and loyal user base to drive long-term success in the crypto gaming sector.