1KIN Labs, a trailblazer in the Web3 gaming arena, is bridging the gap between decentralized gaming platforms and traditional gaming experiences. The company’s vision is to unite the fragmented world of Web3 gaming, and it has quickly become a central hub for discovering, accessing, and enjoying a wide range of blockchain-based games.
At the heart of 1KIN Labs is an interoperable gaming ecosystem that leverages a next-generation platform to connect gamers with some of the best community-driven titles in the decentralized space. With a top-tier catalog, endless possibilities, early game access opportunities, and tangible rewards, 1KIN Labs enables players to seamlessly manage their digital assets from a single login.
In an exclusive interview, CEO Jack O’Neil sheds light on 1KIN Labs’ journey, the challenges it has faced and overcome, and its vision for the future of Web3 gaming. O’Neil is a leader who is pushing the boundaries and paving the way for the future of gaming as we know it.
Q1. Can you introduce 1KIN Labs and explain what motivated you to create this company?
1KIN Labs fosters a growing and interoperable gaming ecosystem for the distribution and discovery of Web3 titles and exclusive content. Its next-generation platform connects gamers with the best decentralized, community-driven titles from around the world. 1KIN Labs opens up a new world of gaming with endless possibilities, a top-tier catalog, early game access opportunities, and tangible rewards. What sets it apart is that players can take their digital assets with them wherever they go, all from a single login.
For the past two years, 1KIN Labs has been on a mission to address the scaling issues in Web3 gaming. One of the major challenges was the lack of a central hub in the Web3 space, similar to what Web2 platforms like Steam or the Epic Games Store provide. Games and gamers were scattered across different protocols, making it difficult for even dedicated Web3 gamers to navigate multiple titles. This also created a barrier for newcomers trying to discover and get onboarded into Web3 gaming.
Furthermore, a single game launcher wouldn’t solve the fragmentation problem as Web3 games exist on different platforms (PC, mobile, browser) and various protocols. We also saw the potential for web3 to create more immersive digital experiences beyond traditional walled gardens. So over the past two years, we have been building a network of applications and tools to unite players and create a seamless, interoperable, and unified Web3 gaming ecosystem.
Q2. Can you share the milestones 1KIN Labs has achieved so far on its journey?
Recently, 1KIN Labs successfully completed a $3.3 million series A funding round led by major chains and foundations, including Polygon Labs, Solana Foundation, Aptos Network, Avalanche, and Fantom Foundation. The funding round also saw participation from prominent VCs, funds, and angel investors, such as Zee Prime Capital, Devmons, ED3N, Avalanche’s Blizzard Fund, Wave Digital Assets, and Aurory. Angel investors like Anil Lulla (CEO of Delphi Digital), Jacob Cantele (founder of HyperPlay), Gerry P Smith (CEO of The Odp Corp), and others also joined.
In 2023, we conducted a successful closed beta test of our game discovery platform, with tens of thousands of users participating. Almost half of the participants claimed all the exclusive content during the activation.
We have also presented our vision at major industry conferences like GDC 2024 and the Harvard Blockchain conference. We have attended panels and speaking engagements, including those hosted by Benzinga. Additionally, our Ecosystem & Growth team has partnered with over 100 studios, publishers, and titles to strengthen the 1KIN ecosystem.
Q3. How did 1KIN Labs establish partnerships with over 100 games, protocols, and partners, and what does this mean for the Web3 gaming ecosystem?
Strategic partnerships with protocols are crucial for achieving interoperability. Chains and foundations recognize the value of consolidating user acquisition across the entire industry, which has led to their belief in 1KIN Labs.
When it comes to studios, publishers, and games, the 1KIN Labs Ecosystem & Growth team makes a compelling case. 1KIN Labs products simplify the process of jumping into Web3 gaming, attracting a large pool of players who can easily access partnered games.
Partnerships between 1KIN Labs and games directly benefit players. Games can also partner with 1KIN and use its tools without abandoning their existing protocols.
Q4. What challenges have you faced in integrating such a diverse range of games and protocols into a single entry point, and how are you addressing them?
Integrating a diverse range of games and protocols into a single entry point is currently one of the biggest challenges in Web3 gaming. In the spirit of collaboration, 1KIN Labs will soon announce a strategic partnership to address this challenge more efficiently.
This challenge has also affected the player base of the entire industry. Players who engage with games on multiple networks have to deal with multiple onboarding processes, wallets, networks, and Web3 asset types, making it difficult to enjoy a variety of Web3 games. Similarly, developers have to choose and learn multiple unique schemas to reach the widest player base possible.
1KIN Labs is determined to overcome these challenges once and for all, ensuring that players and developers never have to deal with these issues again. While it hasn’t been easy, 1KIN Labs’ technology is already integrated with 14 different Web3 networks.
Q5. Can you highlight some of the top games and tools that 1KIN Labs has partnered with, and what makes these games stand out in the Web3 gaming space?
We are working with a whole ecosystem of over 100 projects, including Aavegotchi, Aurory, BLOCKLORDS, BloodLoop, Legends of Venari, and many more. Each project offers a unique experience in the Web3 space.
Just like traditional gaming, there is a sea of different titles in Web3 gaming, and players are free to gravitate towards what resonates with them. Our goal is to bring this diversity to blockchain-based gaming by partnering with as many high-quality IPs as possible.
Q6. What are the major problems facing Web3 gaming today, and how is 1KIN Labs addressing these issues?
One major problem in Web3 gaming is the difficulty of finding Web3 titles. Players need to already know where to look, as there is no central or simple place to find content. Additionally, most Web3 titles have their own unique wallets and tokens, which can be overwhelming for players, even those who are already sold on Web3.
1KIN Labs addresses these challenges by being a centralized hub for Web3 gaming, offering a single login, wallet, and token to create a frictionless user experience. Players can browse countless titles from one store, knowing that these products have been vetted for a level of quality that surpasses many first-generation blockchain games.
Q7. What are your plans for pushing the Web3 gaming space forward?
In addition to our ongoing efforts, we aim to build more partnerships and develop the most comprehensive ecosystem possible for Web3 gaming. We are committed to making this space not only functional for gamers who already embrace blockchain games but also appealing to Web2 newcomers who have yet to explore this world. We will soon announce a large distribution channel that will introduce Web2 gamers from around the world to Web3 gaming and our partnered games.
Furthermore, we are passionate about enabling new gaming mechanics and capabilities that can only be achieved in the Web3 space. Gaming has evolved beyond the console, and we believe that blockchain technology holds the key to creating more immersive, interoperable, and exciting digital experiences.
Q8. What do you envision as the future of Web3 gaming, and how does 1KIN Labs fit into that vision?
The future of Web3 gaming incorporates many positive aspects of Web2 gaming, along with additional benefits such as real-world store of value, true asset ownership, and enhanced privacy and security. Web3 already offers these advantages. What is missing is a central access point that simplifies onboarding and user experience. This is precisely what 1KIN Labs provides, positioning itself as a major player in the emerging Web3 gaming industry.
Q9. How important is community involvement and feedback in shaping the development of 1KIN Labs and the games you support?
Community involvement and feedback are crucial. Providing feedback for a game enhances its individual quality, but contributing feedback within the 1KIN ecosystem elevates the entire Web3 gaming landscape. By nurturing a community with high expectations for seamless user experiences across different protocols, 1KIN Labs can deliver effective results faster.
Q10. For those unfamiliar with Web3 gaming, what is its significance and potential impact on gamers and developers?
Web3 gaming enables the tokenization of in-game assets and currency through decentralized systems. This means that players can truly own their in-game goods in a way that was not possible with Web2 titles. It also allows for the seamless movement of value and assets across different titles within an ecosystem. Players can fully realize the utility of their acquired assets.
For developers, Web3 offers a new economic model that allows for ongoing income generation without resorting to practices like loot boxes or microtransactions. Developers can release new items into the ecosystem and let the market trade them organically, earning a nominal residual on every secondary sale. This freedom empowers users to conduct business as they please while providing developers with ongoing income streams.
This is just the beginning. Over time, there will be more use cases and utilities for both players and creators.
In conclusion, Jack O’Neil and 1KIN Labs are at the forefront of revolutionizing Web3 gaming. They are transforming fragmented ecosystems into a unified, seamless experience. Through a centralized hub for discovering and accessing a wide range of blockchain-based games, 1KIN Labs is addressing critical challenges in Web3 gaming and driving innovation. With nearly infinite possibilities, top-tier content, and tangible rewards, 1KIN Labs is shaping the future of gaming and making it accessible to both veteran gamers and newcomers.
