Start playing games Playtron It is trying to challenge the mobile dominance of existing giants like Steam and Nintendo by launching a flexible, low-cost operating system that can run on all types of devices, and it is teaming up with Mysten Labs to launch but-Branded model.
On Wednesday, Playtron and Mysten Labs unveiled the SuiPlay0x1 at the Sui Basecamp event in Paris, a portable gaming device running the Linux-based Playtron OS.
The handheld console is expected to launch in 2025, and will be able to run games built on Sui, as well as blockchain games on other networks, as well as PC games from Steam, the Epic Games Store and beyond – as long as it has enough power (those details have not been announced). after).
Both Mysten and Playtron promise deep native integration of the Sui blockchain. Sui assets owned by users will be linked to their Playtron account, allowing them to access them from any such device. The devices will click Sui's zkLogin feature For Web2-like logins. It will also allow users to pay for traditional games using the Sui Wallet via Playtron's own storefront.
SuiPlay0x1. Image: Mesten Labs/Plytron
Playtron I recently came out of the ghostIt announced $10 million in funding with backers including Mysten Labs along with Samsung Next and other cryptocurrency companies such as Polychain and Circle Ventures. Co-founder and CEO Curt McMaster previously served as CEO of mobile operating system startup Cyanogen, while co-founder and CEO John Lagerling helped scale Android at Google.
McMaster has shared sharp criticism of Steam, the dominant PC gaming market that he calls a “monopoly.” steam Blockchain games are not allowedso studios created using the technology had to create unencrypted or unencrypted versions Find solutions To access the largest storefront. The popular portable Steam Deck tops the cost of gaming laptops.
Cryptocurrency games are considered “second-class citizens” with such a model, which is why many of them are launching independently or via blockchain-centric launch platforms, he said. The Epic Games Store contains It was friendly to such gamesBut Steam requires a much larger audience. The Playtron will be able to accommodate these games and more, he said.
“We want to build an operating system that allows people to play absolutely everything,” McMaster said. DecryptionGG.
SuiPlay0x1. Image: Mesten Labs/Plytron
While the Sui integration will be native and built into the operating system, McMaster and Mysten Labs co-founder and Chief Product Officer Adeniyi Abiodun confirmed to DecryptionGG said that devices running the operating system can also run crypto games built on other networks. But of course, Mysten hopes the native integration will push more developers to build on Sui.
Crypto incentives
The SuiPlay0x1 is sure to draw comparisons with Solana Saga smartphone. Due to the difficulty of dealing with him Decentralized applications (Decentralized Applications) Using typical mobile devices from major companies, Solana Labs chose to create their own high-quality Android phone with native Solana integrations and hardware wallet functionality.
The Saga proved to be a niche device at first and had limited demand, but the realization that it could be used to effectively create a group of die-hard users, rewarding them with token drops and other incentives along the way, helped. Give it a second wind. Now Solana Labs is building Cheaper successor to “Chapter 2”. About that kind of mentality.
SuiPlay0x1. Image: Mesten Labs/Plytron
SuiPlay0x1 will no doubt draw comparisons to what Solana Labs did with Saga. Both Playtron and Mysten acknowledged this, but they also said that everyone already has a phone, and many people don't want to give up their device for a model with better cryptocurrency hooks. They are more optimistic about the idea of a cryptocurrency-enabled gaming laptop that can play almost anything.
But they see a similar benefit to ownership of SuiPlay0x1, just like Saga before it: exclusive benefits for users. Think free tokens and assets to entice players to try a new game, perhaps on-chain rewards, and even discounts and incentives for Sui users. They are also planning to subsidize the device in some way to bring the price down and attract gamers.
“Imagine now being able to send assets to people who have a device early on to engage them in the game. Now the cost of user acquisition is much lower,” Abiodun said. “Imagine being able to attract them with rewards/loyalty plans that allow them to play the game Over time and get more value in the long term.”
He added that the device will allow people to “make payments unencumbered by traditional payment bars,” including… American dollar And others stablecoins. and user owned NFTs It can work like a “participation card” to give them exclusive benefits.
As is the case with many late Solana Saga buyers, they snatched up their last remaining phones Claim your share of BONK meme coins Which was worth more than the price of the actual phone at the time, Abiodun said Mysten Labs plans to “backstop” the cost of the portable system with tokens to entice people to buy into the Sui Games ecosystem.
SuiPlay0x1. Image: Mesten Labs/Plytron
“We will definitely offer nominal incentives for people to buy the device,” he said. “We ultimately believe that the ecosystem of these players will become very valuable in the long term, so investing is a no-brainer from our perspective.”
Mysten Labs and Playtron have yet to announce a potential price point for the SuiPlay0x1, or details on how they plan to incentivize purchases with token rewards. But McMaster believes it will eventually be affordable and attractive enough to bring new users into the world of cryptocurrencies — and perhaps break down barriers. Anti-crypto mentality among many players.
“This is potentially an opportunity to open doors for people who may not have really dealt with cryptocurrencies before,” he said. DecryptionGG. “But this is the first time I have had this category of devices, and at a very good price.”
