The Drop Newsletter Segment

Arbitrum’s Gaming Investment Offer to Ronin

Arbitrum’s gaming investment group is proposing an offer of up to 750,000 ARB to Ronin over three years, valued at approximately $367,500. In the current gaming downturn, this offer might still hold potential.

Ronin’s cofounders have shared the offer details from Arbitrum Gaming Ventures (AGV) on social media, which includes access to the Gaming Content Creator Program, providing content support funded by Arbitrum DAO. Additionally, there’s financial aid for audit costs through an existing $10 million audit initiative within the Arbitrum ecosystem.

Jeff “Jihoz” Zirlin, one of the founders, acknowledged the offer neutrally after it was presented by David Bolger, a council member at AGV and Offchain Labs Head of Gaming and Consumer Partnerships.

The proposal reflects Arbitrum’s sustained interest in the gaming sector, despite earlier controversies regarding AGV’s overall gaming funding commitments. AGV, previously known as Arbitrum Gaming Catalyst, is reportedly in discussions with over 100 game teams, which may have led to various investments.

AGV is currently backing titles like Wildcard, a MOBA-style creature battler, in addition to supporting startups such as Xai Games and Proof of Play, which recently canceled its on-chain game Pirate Nation. The Studio Chain is also collaborating with Arbitrum—an entertainment-focused Orbit chain from the Karrat Foundation, linked to My Pet Hooligan.

However, Ronin’s creators appear hesitant about accepting the ARB offer. They are considering other sequencers, specifically mentioning Optimism and zkSync as alternatives for Ronin’s transition to an L2, away from sidechain status. Zirlin noted that these key decisions will involve both Sky Mavis and governing validators.

Recently, Ronin’s leadership announced a strategic shift to rejoin Ethereum and evolve into a true Ethereum L2 rather than being merely a sidechain.