Uniswap Labs Acquires Hit Blockchain Game ‘Crypto: The Game’

Uniswap Labs has made a bold move into blockchain gaming by acquiring ‘Crypto: The Game’ (CTG), a popular on-chain survival game.

The game's second season was a huge hit, with all 800 spots selling out in just 13 minutes. Recognizing its popularity among both crypto enthusiasts and newcomers, Uniswap Labs announced the acquisition on Monday.

Uniswap Labs Joins Forces with CTG Founders

In an interview with Fortune, Mary-Catherine Lader, Uniswap Labs' Chief Operating Officer, expressed excitement about the acquisition. "We’ve seen CTG generate a ton of excitement, and Uniswap is focused on making on-chain experiences more human and fun,” she said. The purchase details remain undisclosed but involve cash, tokens, and equity.

The founders of CTG, Dylan Abruscato, Tyler Cagle, and Bryan Lee, will join Uniswap and work on developing season three while exploring new interactive crypto experiences. The game won't merely serve as a promotional tool for Uniswap’s wallet or exchange, the companies clarified during a conference call.

Dylan Abruscato, co-founder of CTG, voiced his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “With Uniswap Labs behind us, we believe season three will be our best yet.”

Bridging Gaming and Crypto Communities

CTG, inspired by TV shows like Survivor and Squid Game, has players join tribes and compete in challenges over ten days. Participants pay 0.1 Ethereum (ETH) to enter, forming tribes of 80 players each. The first season's winner took home over $150,000, and the second season's prize pool grew to about $250,000.

Uniswap Labs sponsored a challenge in season two, collaborating with brands like Adidas and Wormhole. This involvement gave Uniswap valuable insights into the game’s potential to attract new crypto users.

Fortune Magazine noted that CTG has a "cult-like" following within the crypto community, with fans following the game's developments through various media channels. The fan base includes crypto Twitter enthusiasts, venture capitalists, founders, and influencers like 3LAU, Packy McCormick, Jesse Pollak, and Bored Elon.

Notably, CTG has also attracted newcomers to crypto, accounting for about 10%-15% of its audience, presenting an opportunity to introduce more people to decentralized finance (DeFi).

While the exact number of viewers for the previous season is unknown, CTG had around 50,000 unique visitors to its website over the ten-day period. Dylan Abruscato described the game as a “24/7 crypto reality show” filled with drama, villain arcs, and fan favorites, making it a spectacle in the crypto community.