NPC Labs, a pioneering onchain product distribution platform established by ex-members of Base, has triumphantly garnered an $18 million Seed Round spearheaded by Pantera Capital, earmarked for advancing gaming ventures.

The funding round attracted notable contributors such as Makers Fund, Hashed, Collab+Currency, Sfermion, Mirana Ventures, Bitscale Capital, and Mantle EcoFund.

In a recent disclosure, NPC Labs announced this influx of capital propels their cumulative investment to $21 million, inclusive of prior Pre-Seed funds. The firm, birthed by former stalwarts of Base’s business and ecosystem development unit, is accelerating the onboarding and evolution of onchain gaming, significantly contributing to B3.fun—a horizontally-scaled gaming ecosystem anchored on Coinbase’s Layer 2 network, Base.

Championing Accessible and Developer-Friendly Gaming

Daryl Xu, Co-founder and CEO of NPC Labs, elucidated the manifold challenges game developers grapple with in the fiercely competitive gaming arena.

“Developers often find it arduous to launch their games, heavily relying on publishers for backing, marketing, and distribution. These publishers claim a substantial share of the earnings and can withdraw support if the game underperforms,” Xu articulated.

Simultaneously, players stand to forfeit their investments in consumables and cosmetics if a game ceases operation.

“Our mission is straightforward: create enjoyable games accessible to everyone, from a Nebraska mom to an avid gamer, while simplifying the process for developers to leverage onchain benefits. We aspire to return control to developers and gamers alike,” Xu emphasized.

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Web2 game developers are enticed by the potential of onchain gaming but often misjudge the intricacies involved.

“Constructing a protocol with ample liquidity and user base while managing infrastructure for seamless gameplay is a formidable endeavor,” remarked Viktoriya Hying, co-founder and COO of NPC Labs.

“Game-specific app chains segregate users, leading to a fragmented experience. Imagine if each game necessitated its own console and infrastructure—it’s unfeasible. B3 serves as the universal console enabling access to multiple games, addressing fragmentation by operating the chain and providing essential infrastructure,” Hying elaborated.

B3.fun boasts built-in chain abstraction, obviating the need for users to bridge or switch networks, the team added.

Presently in testnet, B3 initially accommodates games built on Ethereum, Base, and other Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains, with future plans to seamlessly integrate games from other chains like Solana, ensuring a smooth user experience where players can effortlessly log in and commence gameplay.

Advancing Base’s Capabilities with B3’s Infrastructure and Tools

Franklin Bi, General Partner at Pantera Capital, voiced enthusiasm about collaborating with NPC Labs.

“During their tenure at Base, Daryl and Viktoriya gained profound insights into the needs of developers, especially in gaming and consumer applications. B3’s infrastructure and tools will elevate Base, empowering developers to craft exceptional games and onchain experiences for users,” Bi commented.

NPC Labs aims to revolutionize the onchain gaming landscape, offering developers and players unparalleled freedom and opportunities.