B3 by Coinbase Alumni Secures $21M Funding to Bridge Traditional Gaming and Blockchain, Integrating with Telegram for Seamless Experience

A Gaming Ecosystem Built for Everyone by OG Crypto Veterans

Imagine a world where your favourite pastime, gaming, seamlessly integrates with the power of blockchain technology.

Rewards you earn for hours spent mastering a game translate into real-world value. Sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, that's the exact vision a team of passionate developers at B3 is striving to achieve.

B3 isn't your average gaming platform.

Founded by a group of veterans from Base/Coinbase and OG ETH contributors, B3 is a next-generation, horizontally-scaled gaming ecosystem built on the Base network.

This means it boasts the security of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) while offering a unique set of features specifically tailored for gamers.

What is B3?

B3 is a horizontally-scaled ecosystem designed to meet gamers where they are, offering a frictionless experience that bridges the gap between traditional gaming and the exciting world of Web3.

Built on the rock-solid foundation of Base (Coinbase's Layer 2 network), B3 empowers developers to focus on what they do best – crafting captivating games – by taking care of the complex blockchain infrastructure behind the scenes.

The Frustrations of On-Chain Gaming

Let's be honest, the current state of on-chain gaming can be daunting.

On-chain gaming, despite its immense potential, has faced significant roadblocks.

Early iterations were often clunky and inaccessible to mainstream players. Building games specifically for the blockchain was a complex and expensive endeavour, often catering more to traders than casual gamers.

Additionally, the need to switch between different networks to play various games created a fragmented and frustrating experience.

B3 tackles these pain points head-on. By leveraging chain abstraction technology, B3 eliminates the need for users to bridge or switch networks entirely.

This means players can seamlessly jump from game to game without any technical hurdles.

Viktoriya Hying, COO of NPC Labs, the core contributor to B3, shared,

"We've worked closely with gaming developers and studios to understand where their pain points are. Our chain abstraction tech ensures users never have to switch networks, creating a seamless experience."

One of the biggest challenges facing on-chain gaming is discoverability.

B3 addresses this by acting as a central hub for all things blockchain gaming, aggregating and indexing games not just from B3 itself but from the entire Base ecosystem.

Start playing on B3's testnet: https://join.b3.fun/games

This one-stop shop makes it easier for players to find the games they love, regardless of the underlying chain.

Here's where things get even more interesting.

B3's vision extends beyond established blockchains. They recognise the burgeoning potential of platforms like Telegram, which boasts a rapidly growing user base.

B3 is at the forefront of this exciting intersection, supporting Telegram games like Pinball, a retro classic from the early 2000s.

By integrating with Telegram games, B3 acts as a gateway, introducing millions of users to the power of blockchain gaming without them even realising it!

Viktoriya explains,

"Telegram is ramping up, and it's amazing because it meets users where they're at. This allows us to introduce them to on-chain gaming in a familiar and frictionless way."

This subtle, frictionless approach could be a game-changer in terms of mainstream adoption.

Who is Leading the Game?

NPC Labs, the team behind B3, is anything but ordinary. Founded by a trio of former Coinbase employees, NPC Labs brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Daryl Xu, Co-founder and CEO
Ex-gaming and onramp lead at Base

Socials: X | Linkedin

Daryl Xu is the co-founder of NPC Labs.

With over six years of experience in the crypto ecosystem, Daryl is also the founding partner of Scale8 Partners, where he has been instrumental in accelerating the growth of blockchain companies through consulting and go-to-market services.

Before his entrepreneurial ventures, Daryl played a pivotal role in business development at Coinbase.

He holds a degree in psychology from the University of Chicago and has studied abroad at Renmin University of China.

In April 2024, he left Coinbase to start NPC Labs alongside cofounders Viktoriya Hying and Sean Geng, focusing on revolutionising on-chain gaming.

Viktoriya Hying, Co-founder and COO
Ex-NFT and creator lead at Base

Socials: X | Linkedin

Viktoriya Hying is a co-founder of NPC Labs, where she focuses on scaling on-chain gaming.

Prior to this, she served as the Business Development Manager at Base, having joined Coinbase through its acquisition.

Viktoriya's background includes extensive experience in business development and account management, having previously worked at Yelp in various senior roles.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics from the American University in Bulgaria.

Sean Geng, Co-founder
Ex-engineering manager at Coinbase

Socials: X | Linkedin

Sean Geng is a co-founder of NPC Labs.

With a background in technology and crypto dating back to 2013, Sean has significant experience in various roles across the industry.

Previously, he was an Engineering Manager at Coinbase, where he developed consumer products across Wallet, Retail, and NFTs.

Sean also served as CTO at High Tide Inc., expanding the company's digital footprint, and was the founder and CEO of Smoke Cartel, a leading online retailer of cannabis accessories.

His expertise spans software development, crypto, e-commerce, and quantitative finance. Sean holds a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

These trio understand the challenges of Web3 gaming firsthand and are passionate about creating a more inclusive and user-friendly experience.

Their vision for B3 extends beyond just building a platform.

The name "NPC Labs" isn't a reference to artificial intelligence characters, but rather a reflection of their self-perceived role.

They see themselves as the "non-playable characters" (NPCs) in the grand game of on-chain gaming, providing unwavering support and guidance to the real heroes: the developers and players.

How is B3 Different?

B3 stands out from the crowd with its innovative approach to gaming. Here's what sets them apart:

• Focus on Developer Tools: B3 recognises the power of a thriving developer community. They provide a robust suite of tools and infrastructure, allowing game developers to focus on creating fun and engaging games, not wrestling with complex blockchain mechanics.

• Frictionless Onboarding: B3 eliminates the barriers to entry that have plagued Web3 gaming. Forget about complicated wallet setups and network switching. B3 makes it simple and straightforward for players to jump into the action.

• Discovery Made Easy: Imagine a central hub for all your favourite blockchain games. B3 aims to become that hub, providing a user-friendly interface for players to discover and explore a diverse range of games, regardless of the underlying network.

• Integration with Established Platforms: B3 recognises the power of existing platforms like Telegram. Their integration with these platforms allows them to tap into a wider audience and introduce Web3 concepts to a familiar environment.

B3's $21 Million Funding War Chest

NPC Labs' vision for B3 resonated with some of the biggest names in the crypto space.

NPC Labs, the core contributor to B3, has secured a significant $21 million war chest to fuel its development.

This funding, comprised of an $18 million seed round led by Pantera Capital and a $3 million pre-seed round, demonstrates the strong investor confidence in B3's vision.

Franklin Bi, general partner at Pantera Capital, shared,

"Given the success and traction of Base, we were naturally excited to partner with NPC Labs on their vision to elevate the Base ecosystem with B3."

This funding will allow NPC Labs to expand its team, refine its technology, and onboard exciting new games onto the B3 platform.

The Road to Mainnet and… Token Launch?

Currently in its testnet phase, B3.fun is already welcoming gamers and developers to experience the platform's potential.

This early access period allows B3.fun to gather valuable feedback and fine-tune its functionalities before a grand launch.

This meticulous testing process ensures a smooth and polished experience for players once the mainnet launches.

Notably, the B3.fun testnet currently supports games built on Ethereum, Base, and other EVM-compatible blockchains.

This commitment to interoperability paves the way for future integration with other popular blockchains like Solana, ensuring B3.fun remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving gaming landscape.

As for the launch date and potential token issuance, the team remains tight-lipped, leaving room for anticipation and future announcements from the B3 Foundation.

Are You Ready to Play?

B3 represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of on-chain gaming.

With its focus on user experience, developer empowerment, and blockchain interoperability, Coinlive believes B3 has the potential to usher in a new era of engaging and rewarding gaming experiences.

With a talented team, a clear vision, and ample funding, B3 is poised to become a major player in the Web3 gaming landscape.

As Viktoriya Hying concludes,

"We want to help build fun games for the mom in Nebraska while making it dead simple for developers to benefit from being onchain."

With B3, the future of gaming looks bright, accessible, and filled with exciting possibilities.