Software:Crypto: The Game
| Crypto: The Game | |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Uniswap |
| Writer(s) |
|
| Platform(s) | Browser-based |
| Release | January 2024 |
Crypto: The Game is a browser-based interactive survival game that combines blockchain mechanics with multiplayer elimination challenges.[1]
Description
Players pay an entry fee of 0.1 ETH (approximately $200) and are placed into one of ten tribes. Each day, tribes compete in browser-based minigames including Flappy Bird-style arcade games, digital scavenger hunts, and logic puzzles. The losing tribes must vote to eliminate players.[1] Midway through the season, the tribes merge and players compete individually. A jury of eliminated contestants selects the winner at the end.[2]
The game has been compared to reality competition shows such as Survivor, Squid Game, and The Traitors, and to The Hunger Games.[1][3] In an interview, Abruscato said the founders "all loved Survivor growing up or we're Survivor super fans."[4]
History
Crypto: The Game was created by Dylan Abruscato, Tyler Cagle, and Bryan Lee, and launched in January 2024 with 410 players paying a cryptocurrency entry fee.[3]
The second season, "Anon Island", premiered in April 2024, adding NFT-based anonymous entries and a prize pool of 80 ETH (approximately $140,000 at the time).[5] Crypto: The Game partnered with Adidas, which created co-branded tracksuits for contestants. Axios reported that the partnership had "little fanfare" on Adidas' part.[6] Cryptocurrency companies Uniswap, Lens, Wormhole, POAP, and Safe sponsored in-game challenges.[5] In June 2024, Uniswap acquired the project in a deal involving cash, tokens, and equity. The second season was sold out in 13 minutes.[3][6] The third season, "Resurrection Island", debuted in March 2025 with 716 players. It introduced a twist that allowed eliminated contestants to return through special challenges.[7] Across all three seasons, the format remained largely consistent, with daily challenges, nightly eliminations, and a final jury vote to determine the winner.[7]
A Wired reporter embedded anonymously in Season 3 and described the experience as socially complex and time-intensive.[1] Crypto: The Game was submitted for consideration at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Emerging Media Program category.[8][2] Variety included it in its preview coverage as one of the standout entries in the emerging media category.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Khalili, Joel (March 26, 2025). "I Went Undercover in Crypto's Answer to 'Squid Game.' It Nearly Broke Me". Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/crypto-the-game-undercover/. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "How Crypto: The Game Brings Survivor-like Competition to Online". https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/online-originals/crypto-the-game-dylan-abruscato-interview.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Rowe, Niamh (June 10, 2024). "Uniswap Labs acquires 'Crypto: The Game'—'It's ballooned into this 24/7 crypto reality show'". https://fortune.com/crypto/2024/06/10/uniswap-labs-acquires-crypto-the-game-its-ballooned-into-this-24-7-crypto-reality-show/.
- ↑ Dixon, Marcus James (May 1, 2025). "How one 'obsessive' reality TV fan created 'Crypto: The Game,' an emerging media contender that's poised to shake up the Emmys". https://www.goldderby.com/feature/crypto-the-game-interview-dylan-abruscato-ted-not-lasso-1206215075/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jafery, Reza (April 2, 2024). "Crypto: The Game Gets Bigger With Season 2, Remains a Viral Hit". https://decrypt.co/224441/crypto-game-bigger-season-2-remain-viral-hit.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kim, Crystal (April 11, 2024). "Exclusive: Adidas quietly steps into crypto gaming partnership". https://www.axios.com/2024/04/11/crypto-adidas-gaming-partnership.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Jafery, Reza (March 5, 2025). "Crypto: The Game Goes Bigger for Season 3 With Uniswap Labs". https://decrypt.co/308847/crypto-game-season-3-uniswap-labs.
- ↑ Davis, Clayton (June 12, 2025). "Emmy Voting Opens With 600 Program Series Submissions". https://variety.com/2025/tv/awards/emmys-2025-voting-opens-submissions-1236428346/.
- ↑ Davis, Clayton (June 13, 2025). "Emmy Predictions: All 118 Categories Updated as Voting Opens With Tight Races and Major Shakeups". https://variety.com/lists/2025-emmys-predictions/.
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