Moonray raises $10M to date for Web3 sci-fi arena multiplayer game

Moonray has raised $10 million to date.

Image Credit: Moonray

Ethereum based sci-fi combat arena multiplayer game Moonray has raised $10 million to date through several funding rounds and NFT sales, starting in 2021.

Participating in the rounds were Animoca Brands, Republic Crypto, Polygon Ventures, C2 Ventures, Huobi Ventures, Taisu Ventures and Master Ventures. Earlier this month, the company announced its expansion into consoles with a Playstation 5 launch set for 2025.

Web3 gaming guilds such as YGG South-east Asia had also made a strategic investment into Moonray.

Moonray’s unique value proposition lies in an ecosystem of initiatives being developed around its intellectual property, such as the company’s games as well as the graphic novels titled Mother’s Skin and Echoes of Ascension, which are available in over 4,000 stores across North America and the United Kingdom.

Moonray believes in maintaining an easy onboarding and purchasing experience within and beyond Web3, familiar to the broader online gaming community. As part of its IP expansion initiatives, the company has also partnered with Reel FX to bring its games and books to the screen through its upcoming animated series.

Yat Siu, the co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, said in a statement, “We are excited by Moonray’s innovative approach to expanding the Web3 gaming landscape. It demonstrates how seamless integration of blockchain technology can enhance user experiences. By allowing traditional players to enjoy the game without barriers while offering blockchain enthusiasts additional features, Moonray is helping to bridge the gap between conventional and Web3 gaming.”

Moonray initially began testing its PC game with select players in 2023 and has since expanded into a competitive multiplayer combat arena game and an ecosystem. The alpha version of the original PC game launched on the Epic Games Store in July of this year, offering campaigns with rewards for players.

“We’re all so excited to see Moonray and web3 gaming overall being exposed to a whole new audience of gamers,” says Takashi Hayashida, the founder of Taisu Ventures, in a statement. “Web3 titles going mainstream on platforms such as Playstation shows the success this industry has had over the past
few years, and we truly hope that Moonray can inspire players to try more games in the genre and that it encourages game devs to make more of them, too” he said.

“Few gaming teams understand the delicate crafting of two separate journeys between broader gamers and Web3 participants. We’re confident that Moonray, with its game and token design, finds this balance so that both markets can enjoy the game without being at each other’s expense,” said Alex Ye, head of research at Republic, in a staement.

“We look forward to the explosive growth of Moonray’s IP universe and the many titles that are yet to come,” Ye added.

Earlier this year, Moonray set an OpenSea record with the platform’s biggest gaming NFT mint ever, distributing 220,629 free NFTs during a 48-hour event and offering exclusive PC-only character skins via Coinbase’s Ethereum layer-2 network Base.

The advantage approach used by Moonray it says combines the best of Web3 and Web2 – keeping game economics simple at its core offering users the flexibility between Web2 and Web3 game modes, moving away from the pay-to-win epidemic. The company also recently revealed it is working on a mobile title in addition to its original PC game currently available on Epic Games store.

Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Group said in a statement, “Moonray exemplifies what it means to put players first, showing that when gameplay leads, technology follows seamlessly. This approach doesn’t just integrate blockchain for blockchain’s sake—it enhances the game, creating a deeper, more creative experience. The Moonray team is building something that goes beyond the Web3 space, bringing vibrant gaming to a broader audience and setting a new standard for what’s possible in the industry.”

As for the game itself – Moonray is set in a distant “post-human” future, with playstyles that provide immersive gameplay and intense combat experiences. Moonray’s competitive gameplay is easy to pick up and hard to master, appealing to both casual players and esports professionals.

Hans Andersson, chief business officer and founder of Moonray said in a statement, “With the backing of our notable investors we were able to reach wide horizons within the world of Web3 and beyond. Now with the planned expansion for mobile, Moonray will broaden its networks and deliver a polished multiplayer science fiction battle experience to even more gamers.”

All these initiatives allow users to explore the Moonray world and engage them beyond the game.

Moonray’s core team of 40 programmers, designers, and artists is highly regarded in its field and has shipped several titles. The Miium Foundation is the creator of the $MNRY ecosystem token, which powers the Moonray universe.

Jun Watanabe, chairman of Sony Block Solutions Labs said in a statement, “Moonray reflects the importance of putting gameplay at the forefront. By focusing on creating an engaging player experience, blockchain technology can be seamlessly incorporated in ways that enhance gaming rather than define it. This presents a unique opportunity to explore how technology can foster deeper creativity and connections within the gaming world. The team at Moonray is not only building for Web3 enthusiasts, but is also creating something with the potential to reach beyond Web3, go mainstream, and make gaming more vibrant for users everywhere.”