Gala Games to Conclude The Walking Dead: Empires by July 2025
Gala Games has made the announcement that the NFT game based on The Walking Dead: Empire will officially cease operations on July 31, 2025. This decision has sparked significant criticism from players regarding the company’s handling of compensation for their invested NFT assets. When The Walking Dead: Empires (TWD:E) launched in November 2023, it received a mixed response. While some fans of the iconic comic and television series were thrilled about its integration into the Web3 space, others accused Gala Games of exploiting the franchise’s popularity by converting it into an Ethereum-based NFT game. Now, less than two years following its introduction, Gala Games has revealed its intention to shut down the game.
Game Developer’s Decision to End Project
In a statement, Gala Games expressed that, after thorough deliberation, it has made the tough choice to discontinue The Walking Dead: Empires, with the last playable date set for July 31, 2025. The company did not elaborate on the specific reasons behind this decision but suggested that the project had not achieved its “ambitious goals.” Observers believe that this move reflects the broader trend of declining public interest in NFT games, which many view as prioritizing profit over player enjoyment.
Initial Hype Surrounding The Walking Dead: Empires
Despite a drop in interest in the TV series due to viewer fatigue, The Walking Dead: Empires generated substantial excitement among dedicated fans and NFT enthusiasts when it was first announced in 2021. The unveiling sparked intense bidding for virtual land deeds, some fetching prices as high as $67,000 on platforms like OpenSea. This excitement was further fueled by the NFT boom of that year, which helped catapult NFTs into mainstream consciousness. By the time the game officially launched in 2023, some individuals were still willing to pay upwards of $30,000 for rare in-game NFT items, with lower-tier assets going for around $1,000. Although Gala Games incorporated free-to-play mechanics, it also provided advantages for paying players who could acquire NFT-based resources, such as weapons and armor, which were indestructible compared to their regular counterparts. Additionally, these virtual lands offered players sanctuary from zombies and adversarial gamers.
Community Reaction to Gala Games’ Announcement
In light of the upcoming conclusion of The Walking Dead: Empires, Gala Games assured players that they would receive compensation for their investments. The company plans to convert players’ NFTs into digital assets that can be utilized in other Gala Games offerings. “While the game’s journey is coming to an end, we remain committed to ensuring that these NFTs continue to have utility,” Gala Games stated. “As part of the sunset process, we will be distributing new NFTs of equal functionality in other Gala Games products to TWD:E NFT holders.” However, prominent crypto gaming figure Jesus Martinez has publicly criticized Gala Games for its decision to abandon the project, claiming that the compensation offered—mystery boxes instead of direct value—was insufficient. “The Walking Dead: Empires officially rugs on Gala,” he stated, pointing out that players who invested substantial amounts are now receiving little more than $2 mystery boxes.
Cautionary Tales for Centralized Platforms
Martinez’s sentiments resonated with many in the community, highlighting a broader concern about centralized gaming platforms. Commentators noted that this situation serves as a stark reminder that players do not truly own their assets in such systems, leaving them vulnerable to corporate decisions when financial interest wanes.
