Telegram and Helika Launch $50M Gaming Accelerator Program
Telegram has partnered with Helika Gaming to launch a $50 million gaming accelerator program. The new initiative seeks to foster innovative in-game solutions by leveraging the capabilities of The Open Network (TON) blockchain, enriching and expanding Telegram's gaming ecosystem.
The Telegram Gaming Accelerator program is a response to the growing success of blockchain-powered Mini Apps on Telegram. Games like Hamster Kombat, which gained 200 million players since its launch in March, showcase the potential for integrating games within the Telegram platform.
By teaming up with Helika Gaming, Telegram aims to support mobile app developers, game studios, and indie creators. Moreover, this move is part of Telegram's strategy to expand its range of available games and attract a broader audience.
Driving Innovation and Growth
The first round of Telegram Gaming Accelerator program applications will open next week. This program's primary objective is to drive innovation and growth in the gaming sector on Telegram, offering users a richer and more diverse gaming experience.
Earlier this year, Notcoin, a viral clicker game, set a record in the crypto gaming world by attracting over 20 million sign-ups in less than a month. Sasha Plotvinov, founder of Open Builders, remarked that simplifying the onboarding process was key to this success.
The collaboration between Telegram and Helika Gaming aims to replicate and expand upon this success. By utilizing the TON blockchain, the accelerator program will enhance the capabilities and appeal of Telegram gaming applications.
Nintendo Avoids Generative AI in Game Development
Meanwhile, Nintendo, a leading name in the gaming industry, has decided not to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) in its upcoming game titles due to concerns over intellectual property (IP) breaches. This decision, announced by Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa during a shareholders' meeting, highlights the company's cautious approach to emerging technologies.
Even though generative AI tools can create innovative and creative output, their commercial use depends on the data sets used to train these AI models, bringing up significant IP concerns.
Furukawa opined that generative AI alone cannot meet gamers' expectations. Furukawa raved about the company's long history and expertise in creating exceptional gaming experiences, underscoring their confidence in delivering high-quality games based on their decades of experience in the industry.
Preserving Nintendo's Legacy via Blockchain
While Nintendo is cautious with AI, some developers are making efforts to preserve its classic games using blockchain technology. A group known as Onchain ninjas has inscribed an emulator for the Nintendo 64 (N64) console on the Bitcoin network.
Their goal is to keep classic games accessible for future generations. Trevor Owens, CEO of Bitcoin Ordinals portfolio tracker Ninjalerts, led this effort, using the Ordinals protocol to put the N64 emulator on Bitcoin.
Owens stressed the importance of finding legal ways to preserve classic games on-chain. He added that the firm aims to engage preservationists in the conservation and maintenance of classic video games.
Amidst this development, tools like Quantum Income, an AI crypto trading platform, could help users understand and manage the challenges of integrating new technologies while preserving gaming legacies.