Treasure, a crypto gaming ecosystem, has recently made a significant shift by launching its new Ethereum layer-2 scaling network. This move signifies the project’s departure from Arbitrum and aims to provide a tailored network specifically designed to meet the gaming industry’s unique requirements. According to Treasure, this transition opens up new possibilities for gamers within the ecosystem.
The newly launched Ethereum layer-2 network is part of ZKsync’s Elastic Chain, which is a network of interoperable zero-knowledge rollup chains. This network will utilize Treasure’s MAGIC token and will require the migration of over 15 games, hundreds of thousands of NFTs, and tokens from Arbitrum. Users can seamlessly migrate using the Hyperlane bridge.
Treasure positions itself as a decentralized game console that leverages blockchain technology to power video game titles. Initially, the project had focused on building on Arbitrum, announcing plans to launch a web of “Infinity Chains” in February. However, Treasure reevaluated its strategy in recent months to prioritize gaming-specific features and a gaming-first approach.
The gaming-specific layer-2 network introduced by Treasure enables projects to benefit from gasless transactions, social account creation, and specialized infrastructure for game economies. This shift will enhance Treasure’s Game Exchange system, allowing players to trade assets, provide liquidity, and earn rewards within the game client more efficiently.
Moreover, the Treasure Development Kit will facilitate the seamless implementation of blockchain features in games, reduce direct smart contract interactions, and enable AI agents to enter the gaming world. Players will have the option to log in via email, social accounts, or crypto wallets using ZKsync’s native account abstraction features.
Treasure had previously received a proposal from ZKsync but chose to continue building on Arbitrum due to perceived user traction issues. However, the technical capabilities of ZKsync, including native account abstraction, ZK-based scalability, and Elastic Network interoperability, led Treasure to reconsider and opt for this network.
The mainnet launch of Treasure’s Ethereum layer-2 network is ahead of schedule, with several games expected to launch on the network by the year-end, and more in Q1 2025. Wanders, Bitmates, and Zeeverse are among the games set to launch or already utilizing the network.
In addition to game launches, Treasure will kick off a campaign called Decentralized Entertainment System: Cartridges, offering daily free NFT mints based on games from the ecosystem. Staking using the Ethereum protocol EigenLayer for Treasure’s MAGIC token is planned for Q1 2025, along with other use cases to enhance the decentralized game console.
Overall, Treasure’s transition to the new Ethereum layer-2 network signifies a significant step towards transforming the gaming industry. With a strong momentum and exciting developments on the horizon, Treasure aims to solidify its position as a leading player in the crypto gaming ecosystem.