ZKcandy Launches Mainnet, Aims for 2 Million Users in Six Months

ZKcandy, an AI-driven gaming and entertainment Layer-2 powered by ZKsync and iCandy Interactive, has launched its mainnet chain. This significant milestone follows a successful testnet phase and a $4 million seed round funded by Wemix Pte. Ltd., Animoca Ventures, and other notable institutional and angel investors. The launch marks ZKcandy's ambition to revolutionize Web3 game development by creating immersive, interoperable gaming ecosystems where users own their assets and can move them freely across different titles.

The platform leverages advanced AI to enhance non-player characters (NPCs), generate dynamic and unscripted storylines, and provide a personalized experience for each player. ZKcandy's focus on mobile-first Web3 games positions it to capitalize on the rapidly growing global mobile gaming market.

During the open testnet phase, ZKcandy saw remarkable engagement with 2.46 million wallets created and 230,000 active users across five featured games. This success is attributed to collaborations with partners such as Layer3, Aethir, Rarible, and Out Of The Nest, totaling 19 partners.

Following the mainnet launch, gamers will have access to eight Web3 games, including Pepe Kingdom, Candy Defense, and Sugar Rush. ZKcandy is also partnering with game studios to co-develop Web3 games based on Hollywood film intellectual properties (IPs), with the first Tier-1 Hollywood IP game already in development.

ZKcandy aims to expand its active ecosystem user base to 2 million within six months of the platform's public launch. The global mobile gaming market, projected to reach $126.1 billion in revenue by 2025, presents a significant opportunity for ZKcandy. The platform combines iCandy’s expertise in launching over 500 titles with the low fees and account abstraction features of ZKsync, positioning it as a leading mobile-first Web3 gaming hub.

Kin Wai Lau, CEO of ZKcandy, expressed pride in making ZKcandy available to the general audience, highlighting the success of the testnet phase and the platform's goal of making blockchain gaming open and accessible to everyone. He emphasized the importance of connecting mobile gaming with Web3, a solution that ZKcandy is well-positioned to deliver.

ZKcandy was created in partnership with iCandy Interactive, the largest game developer in Southeast Asia, and Matter Labs, a contributor to ZKsync. ZKsync is a blockchain technology using zero-knowledge proofs, uniting ZK Chains into an elastic modular network that offers frictionless interoperability.

ZKcandy is powered by ZKsync, an Ethereum L2 ecosystem that advances the mass adoption of crypto through ZK-proof technologies. With ZKsync’s tech stack, ZKcandy builds an ecosystem of interoperable games with fast transactions, negligible fees, and top-notch account abstraction features. As a ZK Chain in the Elastic Network, ZKcandy can easily communicate with other chains, ensuring unrestrained liquidity flows.

To encourage ecosystem growth after the mainnet deployment, ZKcandy will launch promotional campaigns on the Layer3 launchpad, allocating 5% of the total native token supply as a monetary stimulus for participants. Developers will also be able to submit applications for the upcoming ZKcandy grant.

ZKcandy is an AI-powered Layer-2 aiming to redefine what’s possible in gaming and entertainment. As a ZK Chain built on ZKsync’s Elastic Network, it focuses on building immersive gaming ecosystems where players make the most of today’s AI capabilities. Unscripted storylines, dynamic NPCs, and a deeply personalized experience. ZKcandy delivers mobile-first Web3 games, tapping into the fastest-growing global mobile gaming market.

ZKcandy is backed by iCandy Interactive, with 500+ games, including 180 AAA titles, downloaded 300M+ times. The platform is powered by ZKsync technology, where simplified onboarding and negligible fees lay the ground for mass adoption. $4M+ in funding and strategic partnerships set ZKcandy to push the boundaries in Web3 entertainment, inspired by the AI revolution.