Singapore — Today, Matter Labs and iCandy have joined forces to usher in a new era of Web3 gaming with the development of zkCandy, a dedicated zkSync gaming and AI-focused hyperchain.
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Matter Labs, a prominent software development, engineering, and cryptography company, is at the forefront of developing software for the zkSync protocol. This Layer2 trustless protocol is designed to address scalability challenges on the Ethereum network.
On the other side of this collaboration is iCandy Games, which stands as the largest independent game developer in Southeast Asia, boasting over 700 full-time employees and operating from seven independent studios. This strategic partnership brings together Matter Labs’ expertise in cryptography and software development with iCandy’s extensive experience in the gaming industry.
The collaboration is set to address a gap in the Web3 gaming industry, as highlighted by Game7’s 2023 State of Web3 Gaming Report, which reported a significant decrease in the number of Web3 games launched annually. With this partnership, Matter Labs and iCandy aim to pave the way for the next generation of interactive gaming experiences on the blockchain.
The newly established company, zkCandy Limited, will see joint investments from Matter Labs and iCandy to build an ecosystem around the zkCandy Hyperchain. Matter Labs will contribute its technological expertise, engineering support, and resources to ensure zkCandy is optimized for Web3 gaming.
Michael Lee, former Activision Blizzard executive and current SVP of Growth at Matter Labs, expressed optimism about the collaboration. “iCandy Interactive is one of the largest independent video game developers in the world with an impressive track record of producing games for iconic franchises.”
“Together, they are leveraging zkSync’s revolutionary zero-knowledge (ZK) technology to unlock a new category of Web3 games driven by new business models; potentially changing the way hundreds of millions of people play games.”
Michael Lee, SVP of Growth at Matter Labs
zkCandy is set to commence its mission by developing and deploying three casual-player Web3 games on zkSync in the first quarter of 2024. The games include:
Choo Choo Spirits
Blaster Rush 3×3 shooter
Future Girls
This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward advancing the Web3 gaming industry, and zkCandy is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of interactive gaming experiences on the blockchain.
