Rune Speedrunning

Introducing Rune Speedrunning Our 10-day competition begins this weekend, where you can showcase your gaming skills by submitting speedrun attempts.
Compete for a spot on the leaderboard and a chance to win big from our prize pool!

Upload your speedrun and submit your clips to http://rune.art/leaderboards.
Place in the top 10 to win a cut of 5000 $DEGEN on base!

Game: Minecraft Classic (browser) 
Task: Obliterate a Tree as fast as possible

How does it work?

run-leaderboarSubmit your speedruns via our submission portal. Simply upload to youtube, or stream on twitch. Grab that link, and submit!

Once submitted and your run is reviewed. You will receive an email telling you whether or not your run was approved or denied! All denials will be provided a reason, and you can resubmit as many times as you'd like. All approvals will make it onto the leaderboard!

Submissions close June 4, 2024 at 8pm EST, 5pm PST. And prize pool will be distributed within 24 hours after the end of the competition to ensure results are fair Please refer to the ruleset, and links under the active leaderboard game for rules and useful links.

Total prize pool of competition: 5000 $DEGEN 
1st place: 1500 $DEGEN 
2nd place: 1000 $DEGEN 
3rd place: 800 $DEGEN 
4th-10th place: 242 $DEGEN
Others will receive an achievement in the Rune dashboard.

Relevant links for participation
website: http://:rune.art 
submission & leaderboard: http://rune.art/leaderboards 
important rules and links: https://rune.gitbook.io/overview/speed

CDPR Ends Development on Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077's development has officially concluded, with no developers at CD Projekt Red (CDPR) working on the game anymore. According to CDPR's latest investor relations update, the entire development team has been reassigned to other projects, primarily its sequel, Project Orion, and the next installment in The Witcher series, codenamed Project Polaris.

As of April 30, all 17 developers who were still working on Cyberpunk 2077 have transitioned to new assignments. This aligns with the studio's earlier announcements that Version 2.1, which dropped last December and added features like a portable radio and a usable metro system, would be the final content update for the game. With this shift, the game will no longer receive updates or bug fixes, marking the end of its development journey.

For modders, this means they can now modify the game without worrying about future updates disrupting their work. Cyberpunk 2077 remains popular on Nexus Mods, and this development freeze provides a stable environment for creative modifications.

Despite its rocky launch in 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 has seen significant improvements and support, culminating in multiple nominations at The Game Awards 2023, largely due to the well-received Phantom Liberty expansion. As CDPR focuses on new projects, fans eagerly await news about Project Orion, although it's still in the concept stage and details may be scarce for some time.

Star Citizen Raises $700 Million In 12 Years, Still No Release Date

Star Citizen enthusiasts show no sign of slowing down their support, as the project has now raised $700 million. This is despite the game being notorious for its long development time, nearly 12 years, without a definitive release date. Fans can play an early access build, with the standard edition priced at $51.48 and the premium version at $85.79. This pricing, along with ongoing crowdfunding efforts, has significantly contributed to the impressive total raised.

Star Citizen Keeps Bringing In The Money

The latest fundraising milestone was noted by users on r/games, expressing surprise that Star Citizen continues to reach such financial heights. As of now, the game's official website reports $701,506,844 raised from 5,240,919 backers, surpassing all stretch goals set by the developers—the last of which was at $65 million. Remarkably, the project has generated $100 million in less than a year, aided by high-value items like a $48,000 ship bundle.

Despite this substantial backing, the full release, Star Citizen 1.0, remains undated. However, version 4.0 of the current build is expected to launch in Q3 2024, indicating ongoing development and support. The last update was released on May 10, showing that the game is still actively being developed. When it finally launches, Star Citizen will be available on PC, alongside a separate single-player campaign, Squadron 42.

Fandom Explores the Growing Importance of Gaming & Self-Expression in 2024 Inside Gaming Report

Fandom's latest Inside Gaming report reveals a significant shift in gaming motivations, emphasizing personal expression and identity exploration as primary reasons for gaming. The report, based on data from Fandom's extensive platform, shows that while stress relief remains a top reason for gaming, 46% of gamers now list creation, imagination, and self-expression as their main motivations, up 10% from last year.

This trend is driving an increase in gaming time, particularly among those who view gaming as a means of self-expression. Games like Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox are highlighted for their customization options and open-world exploration, which foster personal expression.

The report also uncovers a notable disparity between gamers' in-game identities and their real-life personas. Eighty percent of respondents feel their gaming identity differs from their real-life identity, with many expressing a desire to integrate these aspects more closely. This is especially pronounced among 18-34 year olds, multicultural audiences, and women and non-binary gamers.

For marketers, the report suggests several opportunities: emphasizing self-expression, creating brand-safe spaces within gaming communities, and aligning with gamers' aspirations to blend their gaming and real-life skills and appearances. By tapping into these motivations, brands can forge deeper connections with the gaming community.

Stephanie Fried, CMO of Fandom, underscores the importance of this trend, noting that nearly two-thirds of gamers find it easier to be themselves with a controller in their hands. As gaming continues to grow as a platform for self-expression and personal evolution, brands have a unique opportunity to support gamers in bringing their in-game personas to life in the real world.

Over 60% of Americans Play Video Games in 2024

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has released its 2024 report, revealing that 61% of Americans, totaling 190.6 million people, are active gamers. This comprehensive study, which for the first time includes data from children aged 5-17, underscores the widespread appeal and positive impact of gaming across all demographics.

Gaming has solidified its status as a cultural phenomenon in the U.S., with an average player age of 36. The ESA's findings highlight the diverse nature of the gaming community, with nearly equal gender representation—53% male and 46% female—and increasing ethnic diversity. The report also notes that 11% of gamers identify as LGBTQ+.

Video games are celebrated not just for entertainment but for their mental and social benefits. A significant majority of gamers report that gaming provides mental stimulation, stress relief, and joy. Notably, 92% of Boomers and the Silent Generation appreciate the mental benefits of gaming, compared to 84% of Gen Z.

Generations Alpha and Z are particularly enthusiastic about gaming, with 79% of Gen Alpha (ages 5-10) playing weekly. Popular genres among these younger gamers include arcade, action, and puzzle games. Both Gen Alpha and Gen Z show a preference for consoles and PCs as their gaming platforms of choice.

Video games also play a crucial role in fostering social connections. The report highlights that 72% of American parents play video games, with 83% of them engaging in gaming with their children, emphasizing the value of quality family time. Furthermore, 55% of all gamers play with others weekly, and 39% have met significant others through gaming.

Economically, the video game industry continues to thrive, employing over 104,000 people in the U.S. in 2023. Consumer spending on video games has dramatically increased, from $11.7 billion in 2002 to $57.2 billion in 2023, reflecting the industry's robust growth and influence.

Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO of the ESA, emphasizes the cultural significance of gaming, stating that video games offer something for everyone and reflect the diversity of American society. As gaming continues to evolve, it remains a powerful source of entertainment, connection, and personal fulfillment for millions.

Immutable Nexus Enhances Gaming with zkEVM Chains

Immutable Nexus, the new ecosystem of interconnected blockchains, is set to revolutionize the gaming industry. Following the launch of Immutable zkEVM, powered by Polygon, Immutable Nexus introduces Dedicated zkEVM chains designed for AAA game studios, offering enhanced scalability, customizability, and monetization.

Immutable Nexus includes the public Immutable zkEVM chain and various Dedicated zkEVM chains, tailored to provide options like dedicated block space and configurable native ERC-20 tokens for gas and staking. A network of partners and a cross-chain liquidity service ensures smooth operation and shared liquidity across all chains, allowing games to benefit from the Immutable platform's consistent functionality and fast fund transfers.

Key benefits of Immutable Nexus include handling high transaction volumes, greater operational control through customization, and enhanced monetization potential using custom ERC-20 tokens. Game studios can manage their transaction volume and customize their blockchain environment effectively. However, Immutable advises careful consideration before creating a dedicated chain, focusing on improving user experience and game retention.

Immutable Nexus represents a significant step forward in blockchain technology for gaming, ensuring optimal liquidity, security, and accessibility for games. Game studios are encouraged to start in a shared environment and transition to a dedicated chain when necessary, maintaining access to key marketplaces, wallets, and the broader web3 gaming ecosystem.

The Sandbox Driving Innovation in EU Gaming

The Sandbox, a blockchain-powered virtual world on the Ethereum blockchain, is making significant strides in the EU gaming and cultural landscape. As part of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) initiatives, The Sandbox is revolutionizing creative expression and community engagement.

With over 60 brand partnerships, including Square Enix, ATARI, and Gucci, The Sandbox allows users to build, own, and monetize virtual experiences using its utility token, $SAND. Sebastien Borget, co-founder and COO, highlights the platform's role in fostering creativity and community, positioning it as a hub for innovation.

The Sandbox also contributes to Europe's thriving blockchain ecosystem, with the EU hosting the largest number of crypto startups globally. Events like the World of Women Gala in Paris and various networking opportunities further bolster industry growth.

The platform offers users multifaceted experiences, from virtual concerts to immersive neighborhoods. With over 5 million wallets and increasing player engagement, The Sandbox continues to attract a diverse user base. Recent updates, including self-publishing and Game Maker v0.9, enhance the platform's appeal by enabling creators to develop and share content easily.

Cultural partnerships with icons like Paris Hilton and brands such as Gucci and Lacoste provide unique experiences, bridging the gap between gaming and culture. As The Sandbox evolves, it remains a leading force in blockchain-powered gaming and cultural experiences in the EU.

Arbitrum Active Addresses Reach Record 1.1 Million

Arbitrum, Ethereum's leading scaling solution, achieves a milestone with 1.1 million active addresses amid surging interest in Ethereum. This article delves into the significance of this growth and its implications for web3 gaming.

Arbitrum, a layer 2 protocol designed to enhance Ethereum's scalability, recently surpassed 1 million active addresses. On May 18, 2024, this figure exceeded 1.1 million, solidifying Arbitrum's position as the top Layer 2 solution in terms of user activity, surpassing rivals like Base and zkSync Era.

In addition to the spike in active addresses, Arbitrum witnessed over 3.4 million transactions on May 19th, marking its third-highest daily transaction count since December 2023. The platform's 7-day average transaction count hit a new peak, surpassing competitors like Base and Optimism.

The most active applications on Arbitrum include Uniswap, LayerZero, and Xai, a Layer 3 chain dedicated to AAA gaming. Transactions involving stablecoins like USDT and USDC dominate the platform's volume. Arbitrum has also seen a surge in Total Value Locked (TVL), attracting $3.1 billion in crypto assets, reflecting growing confidence in Ethereum's scalability solutions and DeFi applications.

This surge in Arbitrum's activity underscores the growing interest in blockchain integration within traditional gaming ecosystems. Applications like Xai demonstrate the potential for enhanced scalability and efficiency in gaming transactions, signaling promising advancements for the web3 gaming industry.