Playtron’s Bold Leap into Crypto Gaming

Startup Playtron is teaming up with Mysten Labs to challenge the dominance of industry giants like Steam and Nintendo. Their weapon of choice?

The SuiPlay0x1, a handheld gaming device unveiled at the Sui Basecamp event in Paris, which promises to bridge the gap between traditional gaming, the burgeoning world of blockchain games, and the vast universe of PC gaming.

This innovative console, running on the Linux-based Playtron OS, is slated for a 2025 launch. Its hallmark is versatility: it’s designed to support games built on the Sui blockchain, blockchain games from other networks, and PC games from platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store. However, the power specifications necessary to support this wide array of games remain under wraps for now.

The SuiPlay0x1 isn’t just about playing games from different platforms; it’s about integrating them into a single ecosystem. Mysten and Playtron are betting big on deep, native integration with the Sui blockchain.

This integration means that Sui assets owned by users will be directly linked to their Playtron account, accessible from any device within the ecosystem. The feature is enhanced by Sui’s zkLogin for seamless Web2-like login experiences, and even allows for the purchase of traditional games using the Sui wallet via Playtron’s storefront.

Behind Playtron’s ambitious project are seasoned industry veterans. Co-founder and CEO Kirt McMaster, formerly of mobile OS startup Cyanogen, and co-founder and Chairman John Lagerling, who played a significant role in scaling Android at Google, are steering the ship.

With $10 million in funding from notable backers including Mysten Labs, Samsung Next, and crypto firms like Polychain and Circle Ventures, Playtron is coming out swinging against what McMaster calls the “monopoly” of Steam in the PC gaming marketplace.

McMaster’s critique of Steam highlights a broader issue: the sidelining of blockchain games in mainstream gaming platforms. By offering a launcher capable of hosting these “second-class citizens,” Playtron aims to provide a more inclusive platform that embraces the full spectrum of gaming, including those built on blockchain technology.

The comparison to the Solana Saga smartphone is inevitable. Both devices aim to carve out a niche by integrating crypto functionalities directly into the hardware. However, Playtron and Mysten Labs believe that the real game-changer could be a gaming-focused device that leverages this integration to offer something unique: a handheld console that doesn’t just play games but also offers a gateway into the crypto ecosystem through exclusive benefits, token airdrops, and on-chain rewards.

As Mysten Labs co-founder and Chief Product Officer Adeniyi Abiodun puts it, the goal is to lower the cost of user acquisition by leveraging crypto incentives and enhancing long-term engagement through rewards and loyalty schemes.

This approach, they hope, will not only entice gamers but also offer a compelling reason to dive into the crypto gaming world, potentially introducing a new audience to the benefits of blockchain technology.

The SuiPlay0x1 represents a significant step forward in the convergence of gaming and blockchain. With its ambitious vision, Playtron and Mysten Labs are not just launching a new device; they’re attempting to launch a new era in gaming.

As the project moves toward its 2025 launch, the gaming community watches with bated breath, eager to see if this bold venture can indeed break down the barriers between traditional gaming and the crypto frontier.