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Acknowledged by Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas 2021 and recently Forbes’ Best Startup Employers (2024), Mythical Games is a next-generation game company creating world-class games and empowering players to take ownership of their in-game assets through the use of blockchain technology. The team has helped develop major franchises, including Call of Duty, Call of Duty Mobile, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Magic: The Gathering, EA Madden, Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery, Marvel Strike Force, Modern Warfare 3, and Skylanders. Mythical’s current games, Blankos Block Party and NFL Rivals, are already played by millions of consumers worldwide and create a new economy for players, allowing them to engage in a new way with games, but also directly trade and transact safely with other players worldwide.
Recently, we asked their Head of Communications Nate Nesbitt about Play-to-Own, upcoming releases, and what we can expect next from Mythical Games.
Q: Web3 gaming has come a long way, but will it ever eclipse Web2 gaming or is that even the ambition? When do you think blockchain-powered games will shed the “crypto” label and just be called games?
A: Web3 gaming isn’t about eclipsing Web2, it’s about enhancing it. I think, in that sense, our goals differ from those of crypto maximalists who would like to replace the financial system with a Bitcoin standard. With blockchain gaming, we’re granting players asset ownership and freedom without sacrificing gameplay. It’s clear Web2 is missing that player-owned economy that we bring to the table.
As for the crypto tag, I think it’ll shake off when more of the games meet the standard we’re accustomed to in gaming. We’ve done that with games like FIFA Rivals, where players are just having fun with the matches, squad-building and trading rather than being spooked by the tech.
2. Mythical champions “play-to-own” over play-to-earn. Why does this distinction matter, and how does it change the way players engage with your releases?
A: Play-to-earn got a bad rap because it turned games into grindfests for profit. When you think about it, gamers don’t actually care about money – they just want to lose themselves in a great game; if they can win rewards along the way, even better. Play-to-own is more about giving them a meaningful stake and letting them build a collection that means something. So it’s less a case of chasing trickle-down rewards and more about enriching the in-game journey. Our data shows this model works a helluva lot better for players.
Q: FIFA Rivals is set to drop this June, bringing arcade-style soccer to mobile with a blockchain engine. How are you balancing the expectations of FIFA’s global audience with the Web3 elements to make it both fun and accessible?
A: Football is a global sport, and FIFA’s fanbase is enormous, and it was great to launch the game ahead of next year’s World Cup, which will attract more attention in the US as it’s one of the host nations. We’re delivering a killer arcade-style soccer game that, similar to NFL Rivals, makes Web3 seamless. Players now own and trade assets like star players without needing to be crypto savvy. With the Mythos chain handling the heavy lifting, they can focus on the fun of the game.
Q: What’s the secret sauce behind FIFA Rivals’ gameplay? How does it stand out from other soccer games, and can it act as a ‘gateway drug’ for Web2 gamers who’ve never interacted with blockchain, NFTs, etc? (Like NFL Rivals did before it)
A: It’s a fast-paced strategy game in the classic mold, with head-to-head PvP battles that really incentivize competition. Obviously, just being licensed by FIFA distinguishes the game from others, but we haven’t relied on that; we’ve doubled down on just making the best game possible.
Q: Pudgy Party is another of your upcoming releases. How do you weave blockchain elements into a party game without overwhelming those who just want to have fun?
A: Well, you focus on the fun part: we’re not shoving blockchain in anyone’s face. The game’s addictive battle-royal style fun, free-to-play, and players can own unique Pudgy skins or items and trade them freely without having to understand the intricacies of NFTs. We can’t wait to see what the Pudgy community makes of the game.
Q: Explain how these upcoming releases showcase your vision for blending traditional gaming with Web3.
A: FIFA Rivals and Pudgy Party are proof that you can combine enjoyable gameplay with Web3 technology; that you can hook in casual fans who don’t necessarily care about Web3, but who can benefit from the technology all the same. Our goal is to make games people love, then add in ownership in a way that feels natural.
Q: What’s next for Mythical?
A: FIFA Rivals and Pudgy Party are just the start; we want to partner with more big IPs and platforms and keep pushing boundaries. We also want to continue empowering developers to make kickass games with the potential to onboard more players to the Web3 economy. The future’s bright.
