Sky Mavis, the visionary studio behind the groundbreaking play-to-earn game Axie Infinity, has unveiled its latest project: Axie Infinity: Atia’s Legacy. This new MMO (massively multiplayer online) game is set in the vast and magical world of Lunacia, promising to deliver a fresh, combat-driven, and socially immersive experience.

Atia’s Legacy builds on the foundations of the Axie franchise, incorporating insights from years of Web3 gaming. It introduces new mechanics and a player-driven ecosystem, seeking to explore fresh possibilities within the genre. This sets the stage for the next chapter in the Axie universe.

A New Era of Gameplay

Atia’s Legacy introduces squad-based real-time combat, a significant departure from the turn-based battles of its predecessor. Players will lead a team of four Axies and their allies through dynamic, interactive battles that require strategic input rather than passive auto-battling. The game also features shared gear and streamlined progression, allowing squads to level up collectively while unlocking abilities and gear across rarity tiers—from Common to Legendary.

Beyond combat, Atia’s Legacy offers a wealth of PvE content, including heart-pounding missions, side quests, and resource gathering. Players can craft and upgrade equipment, gather materials to decorate their homes, and explore ancient ruins to uncover the mystical secrets of Lunacia—a world ravaged by centuries of war. The game also includes a bustling town hub, serving as a social center where players can meet, strategize, and prepare for large-scale PvP battles. The game also introduces a 'nightmare realm,' where Axies undergo transformations to form war parties in pursuit of rare treasures, adding another layer of strategic depth.

Building on a Legacy

Axie Infinity emerged as a groundbreaking play-to-earn game in 2021, quickly gaining popularity for its innovative use of NFT technology. Developed by Sky Mavis, the game allowed players to collect, breed, and battle fantasy creatures called Axies. Each Axie was represented as an NFT, giving players true ownership of their in-game assets. This unique model attracted millions of players worldwide, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia, where Axie Infinity became a major economic force during the pandemic.

At its peak, Axie Infinity boasted a thriving in-game economy, with some players earning substantial income through battles or trading Axie NFTs. However, its reliance on token rewards led to economic challenges and inflation, impacting sustainability. Despite this, Axie Infinity had a lasting impact on Web3 gaming, sparking discussions about digital ownership. Sky Mavis has applied lessons from this experience—what they describe as "scar tissue"—to shape Atia's Legacy.

Atia's Legacy is designed to build on the Axie franchise while embracing a fresh start. Drawing from lessons learned during the development of Axie Infinity, Sky Mavis aims to deliver an improved experience with sustainable gameplay, better balance, and engaging content to ensure long-term player interest. The upcoming MMO will also prioritize cross-platform accessibility, broadening its reach to new audiences. In addition to combat and quests, the game will emphasize social coordination and crafting, offering players new ways to interact and progress within the world of Lunacia.

Playtests and Rewards

Sky Mavis has announced plans for multiple playtests, starting with an alpha test in summer 2025, followed by additional playtests leading up to a full launch in 2026. Players can expect early access to key features of Atia’s Legacy during the alpha test, with opportunities to explore the new mechanics and immersive world of Lunacia.

In addition, players can pre-register for the playtest, with referral-based rewards offering opportunities to earn Axie NFTs and other incentives. The top 200 referrers will receive a share of 25,000 AXS tokens, the native cryptocurrency of the Axie ecosystem, further integrating the game’s economy with the Axie universe.

The response to the announcement has been positive, with over 100,000 pre-registrations in the first 12 hours. This interest reflects the ongoing engagement with the Axie franchise and anticipation for Atia’s Legacy. Players are looking forward to exploring the world of Lunacia, where they will lead their Axie teams in various new challenges and adventures.

The Power of Ronin Blockchain

At the heart of Axie Infinity and its new MMO is Ronin, a dedicated Ethereum gaming sidechain designed to support high-quality gaming experiences. Ronin is designed to process transactions much faster and at a lower cost than Ethereum's mainnet. This Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible chain was originally launched in February 2021.

Initially a curated blockchain, Ronin has recently opened its doors to all developers, leading to a surge of interest and activity. To facilitate this expansion, Sky Mavis has introduced the Ronin Developer Console—a toolkit aimed at simplifying deployment and enhancing accessibility. With this suite of tools, developers can efficiently kickstart their projects, focus on innovation, and fully leverage Ronin’s robust infrastructure. This shift aligns with Sky Mavis’s vision of creating a more open and inclusive ecosystem, which will attract new projects and expand Ronin’s influence in the gaming sector.

Ronin’s infrastructure has already proven its capabilities, powering games like Pixels and Forgotten Runiverse, which have achieved significant milestones in player engagement and NFT volume. With Atia’s Legacy, Ronin aims to strengthen its role within the blockchain gaming space, offering seamless integration, cross-chain interoperability, and robust security.

What’s Ahead for Axie and Ronin

As Atia's Legacy prepares for its full launch, Axie Infinity and its ecosystem continue to contribute to the development of Web3 gaming. Sky Mavis aims to expand on the concepts introduced in its earlier titles while integrating changes focused on sustainability and balance. The goal is to create a more stable environment for players and developers, addressing some of the challenges faced by earlier Web3 games.

The growth of Ronin’s infrastructure, along with its increasing openness to developers, is expected to lead to more projects exploring the blockchain for gaming. This expansion could help strengthen the overall Web3 gaming ecosystem, fostering new opportunities for both developers and players.

Sky Mavis' efforts in Web3 gaming reflect a broader movement toward decentralized ecosystems and digital ownership. As the industry continues to evolve, Atia’s Legacy is one of many projects contributing to the ongoing development of interactive gaming experiences.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please conduct your own research and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.