Immutable Chooses Axelar for Canonical Bridge to Ethereum, Enhancing Web3 Gaming Interoperability

Sydney, Australia, January 24th, 2024, Chainwire

Web3's largest gaming platform taps Web3's largest and most secure interoperability network for seamless user interactions across blockchains

Axelar and Immutable have officially announced their integration, marking a significant advancement in Web3 gaming interoperability. This strategic collaboration enhances game studios’ ability to onboard players across 50+ blockchains and increases liquidity through new user funding channels. It marks a powerful level-up in scalability and reach for developers building the future of gaming.

In the inaugural phase, Axelar will facilitate direct access between Ethereum and Immutable's new zkEVM chain, Immutable zkEVM - a Polygon-based ZK-rollup blockchain within Immutable's Web3 gaming platform. This chain provides EVM compatibility, low-cost transactions, massive scalability, and Ethereum-level security for gaming applications.

Key benefits of the Axelar network integration include:

• Supercharged user onboarding: Games gain direct access to Ethereum Layer 1 users.
• Asset bridging: Players can seamlessly move assets to and from Ethereum Layer 1 using Immutable Passport and Immutable Checkout, simplifying deposits and withdrawals.
• Cross-chain scalability: Games now have the capability to scale across multiple blockchains.

"Web3 games deploying on Immutable zkEVM, coupled with Immutable Checkout, can now connect to player wallets across the largest network of blockchains. Players will be able to seamlessly interact in-game with digital assets stored on any connected blockchain through Immutable Passport," said Michael Powell, Head of Product Marketing at Immutable.

Additionally, the native utility token of the Immutable ecosystem, IMX, will be securely bridged to the new Immutable zkEVM environment. IMX is utilized for transaction fees and to incentivize users and developers to meaningfully contribute to the Immutable ecosystem.

"The integration of Immutable serves as an expansion pack for the Axelar ecosystem, complementing a platform that already supports interoperability for Web3 game platform leaders like Decentraland and XPLA," stated Sergey Gorbunov, CEO of Interop Labs, the initial developer of Axelar network. "This represents a significant step towards achieving interoperability in game development and metaverse environments, a concept discussed since the advent of Web3."

"With Axelar interoperability integrated into Immutable Checkout, games on Immutable zkEVM are able to onboard transaction-ready players from the entire Ethereum ecosystem. The fragmentation of user funds has traditionally been a user acquisition hurdle for the Web3 gaming industry, but Immutable and Axelar are breaking down those barriers and ultimately fueling fan engagement for SimWin Sports’ AI driven sports simulations. Furthermore, the ability for players to withdraw assets back to Ethereum L1 only reinforces the fact that players truly own their in-game items," said Jean-Yves Martineau, CTO at SimWin Sports.

With the integration into the Axelar network, games built on Immutable zkEVM can now extend across an ever-increasing number of connected blockchains (currently 56), featuring built-in programmability, security, and scalability at the cross-chain network layer.

To learn more, visit the documentation page: https://docs.immutable.com/docs/zkevm/architecture/

About Axelar

Axelar is the full-stack interoperability layer for Web3. The network enables blockchain as a new kind of development platform, integrating diverse networks into a seamless “Internet of blockchains.” Axelar is programmable and decentralized, secured by a proof-of-stake token, AXL. Application users access any digital asset or application, with one click. Developers work with a simple API and access an ecosystem of tools and service providers.

More about Axelar: axelar.network.

About Immutable

Immutable is a global leader in gaming on a mission to bring digital ownership to every player by making it safe and easy to build great Web3 games. Co-founded by James Ferguson, Robbie Ferguson and Alex Connolly in 2018, Immutable is headquartered in Sydney with a 250+ team, and backed by top transformational tech investors like Temasek, Tencent, Coinbase, BITKRAFT Ventures, King River Capital, Galaxy Interactive and more.

The Immutable gaming platform makes it easy for game studios and independent developers to safely and confidently build and launch successful games on Ethereum. The product suite includes pre-built solutions, optimised for usability, that help developers get to market faster without sacrificing security or player experience. Builders get personalised Web3 guidance, live support for their communities, and access to the largest ecosystem in gaming.

Immutable was the first gaming platform to deliver a zero-knowledge (zk) scaling solution to the Ethereum community and provides developers with multiple zk-based scaling options, including Immutable X, a rollup based on StarkWare technology, and Immutable zkEVM, powered by Polygon.

Immutable Games is a global leader in Web3 game development and publishing, backed by a world-class team who have proven track records of bringing games to millions of players. The studio pioneered the world's first blockbuster NFT trading-card game Gods Unchained and is currently building the highly anticipated mobile RPG Guild of Guardians. Alongside its own high-quality titles, Immutable Games partners with third-party game developers to provide them with best-in-class strategy and execution expertise aimed at ensuring the success of every Web3 game deployed within the Immutable ecosystem.

For more information, users can visit: https://www.immutable.com/

Users can join the Immutable community on Discord, Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram and Youtube

Contact

PR Director
Karla Vilhelem
Market Waves
karla@marketwaves.co