Centralizing Web3 Gaming: Immutable Shifts Toward a Single, Integrated Blockchain
Uniting the Gaming Universe: Immutable's Massive Ecosystem Upgrade
Immutable is set to merge its entire gaming ecosystem onto a single chain by blending Immutable X and zkEVM. The rollout is slated for the tail end of 2025, set to streamline developer experience, enhance gameplay for users, and bolster asset liquidity.
Say goodbye to Immutable X, a former Ethereum Layer-2 solution, as it merges into the already live zkEVM, which has chalked up a whopping 150 million transactions since its launch in early 2024. Post-merge, the network will be branded simply as "Immutable."
Users need not lift a finger—all assets will glide automatically onto the unified chain. Immutable's got your back with handling all migrations and gas fees. Wallet addresses, smart contracts, RPCs, and chain IDs will remain the same, ensuring effortless navigation for players and developers alike.
For folks using Immutable Passport or MetaMask, assets will surface in the exact wallet address but now on zkEVM. In addition, those staking assets will discover new avenues on zkEVM as well. The option to opt-out and transfer assets back to Ethereum prior to the move is available for those who prefer it.
"This move empowers every Immutable game with the full power of EVM compatibility, making it simpler for devs to leverage popular tools and libraries and for players to enjoy smoother gameplay and improved token liquidity," the Immutable team declared.
Games like Guild of Guardians, Gods Unchained, and Illuvium are already running on Immutable. A slew of others are proudly queuing up to join the party. Guild of Guardians was ahead of the curve, migrating in 2024, with more projects now in the pipeline.
The merger furnishes all games with ERC1155 support, boosting liquidity for in-game assets. Developers also benefit from greater access to third-party DeFi tools, fiat onramps, and EVM-compatible smart contracts.
Projects built on Immutable X will dance a jig as standard ERC20 and ERC721 tokens get automatically migrated. Teams with peculiar needs or a preference for ERC1155 can request custom support. Applications that use Immutable X APIs will need to update their integrations, including switching to zkEVM RPCs and replacing legacy calls tied to Immutable Link. Immutable has kindly prepared migration guides to lend a helping hand through the transformation.
"Immutable's decision to fuse its Layer-2 structures represents a strategic consolidation, aspiring to construct a more streamlined web3 gaming ecosystem," industry analysts comment. Here's a rundown of the merger's finer points.
The practical lowdown:
- Immutable will decommission its original Layer-2 solution, Immutable X, favoring the newer zkEVM chain (launched in 2024), which will be rebranded to "Immutable" by late 2025.
- The zkEVM architecture maintains Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, enabling seamless use of existing Ethereum tools like MetaMask and popular libraries.
- Schedule: The full integration is expected by late 2025, although an exact date is as elusive as a chameleon in a desert.
- Guild of Guardians completed its migration in 2024.
- Other games like Gods Unchained and Illuvium are prepping for transition.
- User assets will autotransfer, and Immutable will handle all migration and gas fees.
- Key Benefits:
- Developer Experience: Unified EVM compatibility makes complexities a thing of the past, allowing easy access to Ethereum-based smart contracts and tools.
- Player Benefits:
- Liquidity: Assets from merged chains aggregate into a single ecosystem, improving token liquidity.
- Wallets: Existing wallets remain unaltered, but assets will now be zkEVM-based.
- Scalability: zkEVM has already topped 150 million transactions since its inception in 2024.
Gaming Titans in Action:
- Guild of Guardians: Completed migration in 2024, paving the way for this merge.
- Gods Unchained & Illuvium: Ready to jump onto zkEVM, with players continuing to access their assets natively.
- New Horizons: Ubisoft's Might and Magic Fates will debut directly on the unified chain, leveraging Immutable's infrastructure to embrace an estimated 138 million Ubisoft Connect users.
This merger is Positioning Immutable as a one-stop-shop for web3 gaming, combining scalability with seamless access to Ethereum's developer ecosystem.
- The merger between Immutable's gaming ecosystem and zkEVM, scheduled for the end of 2025, will result in a single unified chain, called simply "Immutable."
- As a part of this transition, the Layer-2 solution, Immutable X, will be decommissioned in favor of the already live zkEVM chain, which offers Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility.
- All assets will be automatically transferred to the unified chain, with Immutable handling migration and gas fees, and existing wallets will remain unchanged but will contain zkEVM-based assets.
