Uniswap Acquires the 'Crypto: The Game'
By Olivier Acuña | TH3FUS3 Chief Editor
June 12, 2024 04:30 AM
Reading time: 2 minutes, 39 seconds
TL;DR Uniswap Labs has made a notable entry into the blockchain gaming sector by acquiring 'Crypto: The Game' (CTG). The acquisition is set to enhance CTG's upcoming season three. Uniswap aims to make on-chain experiences more engaging and fun.
Uniswap Labs moved significantly into the blockchain gaming industry with its recent acquisition of 'Crypto: The Game (CTG), an on-chain survival game.
The second season of CTG was unprecedentedly successful, with all 800 available spots selling out within 13 minutes. Uniswap Labs announced the acquisition on Monday, which draws users from within and outside the crypto community.
A Strategic Acquisition
In a statement to Fortune, Mary-Catherine Lader, Chief Operating Officer at Uniswap Labs, expressed excitement about the acquisition, saying,
'We've seen CTG generate a ton of excitement, and Uniswap is focused on making on-chain experiences more human and fun.' While the exact purchase amount remains undisclosed, it involves a combination of cash, tokens, and equity.
Under the terms of the acquisition, the founders of CTG, Dylan Abruscato, Tyler Cagle, and Bryan Lee, will join the Uniswap team. Together, they are collaborating on season three's development while exploring new interactive crypto experiences for consumers.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Plans
Importantly, as the companies clarified during a conference call, the game will not simply become a promotional platform for Uniswap's wallet or exchange.
Dylan Abruscato, the co-founder of Crypto The Game, expressed enthusiasm about the support from Uniswap Labs, stating, ' Now we have the full force of Uniswap Labs behind us, we think that's going to help us make season three the best one yet.'
Inspired by popular TV shows like Survivor and Squid Game, CTG's first two seasons followed a format where contestants purchased 0.1 Ethereum (ETH) (approximately $367) to join one of ten tribes consisting of 80 players.
Over ten days, participants engaged in daily challenges voted each other out and ultimately competed for a grand prize. In season one, a Japanese player claimed a pot of over $150,000, while the prize pool grew to around $250,000 in season two.
Cult-Like Following and Viewer Engagement
Uniswap Labs sponsored a challenge during season two, joining forces with partners such as Adidas and Wormhole. This sponsorship reportedly provided Uniswap with valuable insights into the game's ability to attract new users to crypto.
According to Fortune Magazine, CTG has gained a cult-like following within the crypto community. Enthusiasts closely follow the game's developments through various platforms, including podcasts and media outlets.
Dylan Abruscato emphasized CTG's diverse fan base, which comprises crypto Twitter enthusiasts, venture capitalists, founders, and influential figures like 3LAU, Packy McCormick, Jesse Pollak, and Bored Elon.
Significantly, the game has also managed to captivate 'normies' (individuals new to crypto), who make up about 10% to 15% of the audience. This presents an opportunity to onboard new users into the world of decentralized finance (DeFi).
UNI Token's Market Reaction
Although the number of viewers during the previous season remains to be discovered, CTG recorded approximately 50,000 unique visitors to its website over the ten-day gameplay period.
Dylan Abruscato described the game as a '24/7 crypto reality show' with villain arcs, drama, and fan favorites, which has become a spectacle within the crypto community.
Currently, the UNI token is trading at $10.29, a significant 4.5% price increase following the announcement of the acquisition.
Moreover, the token has experienced a remarkable 7% surge in the past week alone, contributing to its overall upward trend observed over the last month, resulting in an impressive 45% price increase.