NPC Labs, a platform for onchain product distribution founded by former members of Base, has secured an $18 million Seed Round led by Pantera Capital for gaming projects. This funding round also saw participation from investors such as Makers Fund, Hashed, Collab+Currency, and others, bringing the total investment to $21 million. The company aims to speed up the onboarding and development of onchain gaming as a key contributor to B3.fun, a gaming ecosystem built on Coinbase’s Layer 2 network, Base.
Daryl Xu, Co-founder and CEO of NPC Labs, highlighted the challenges faced by game developers in the current landscape, such as dependence on publishers for support, marketing, and distribution. Publishers often take a significant share of the proceeds and can pull a game if it doesn’t generate enough revenue, leaving players at risk of losing their investments in consumables and cosmetics. NPC Labs’ mission is to build fun games accessible to everyone while empowering developers to benefit from being onchain, putting control back in the hands of developers and gamers.
Viktoriya Hying, co-founder and COO of NPC Labs, explained that many Web2 game developers are interested in onchain gaming but underestimate the complexities involved in building a protocol with sufficient liquidity and user base. She highlighted the fragmentation issues that arise with game-specific app chains and emphasized that B3.fun aims to be a universal console where players can access multiple games without the need to bridge or switch networks. Currently in testnet, B3.fun supports games built on Ethereum, Base, and other EVM chains, with plans to onboard games from other chains like Solana for a seamless user experience.
Franklin Bi, general partner at Pantera Capital, expressed excitement about partnering with NPC Labs, stating that Daryl and Viktoriya deeply understand the needs of developers in gaming and consumer applications. B3’s infrastructure and tools will enhance Base, empowering developers to create exceptional games and onchain experiences for users. NPC Labs aims to redefine the onchain gaming landscape, providing developers and players with unprecedented freedom and opportunities.
NPC Labs has a vision to build fun games accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or gaming preferences. By putting control back in the hands of developers and players, the company aims to revolutionize the onchain gaming industry and create a more inclusive and seamless gaming experience for all. With the support of investors like Pantera Capital, NPC Labs is well-positioned to accelerate the development of onchain gaming projects and contribute to the growth of the B3.fun ecosystem on Coinbase’s Layer 2 network, Base.
