If you’ve a casual interest in web3 gaming, or have simply been spending an inordinate amount of time hanging out in crypto over the past year – either of which is distinctly possible – you’ve probably heard of Mythical Games. But even if you’ve yet to encounter the name, you’re no more than a degree of separation away from its ecosystem.
Does NFL Rivals ring any bells? How about Pudgy Penguins? Now we’re getting somewhere. Yep, NFL Rivals – that was all Mythical’s doing. Pudgies wasn’t they’re work but you’re gonna hear them mentioned in the same breath as Pudgy Penguins a whole lot from hereon in since Mythical are developing the official game.
Mythical Games also introduced its own token called MYTH and a whole ecosystem coming together as third-party developers integrate its marketplace and deploy GameFi releases on its blockchain, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Because before examining what comes next for Mythical, it’s probably wise to recap how it got to here.
Mythical’s Whirlwind Year
While the Mythical Studios name was known in GameFi circles 12 months ago, it would be an exaggeration to say they were one of its leading lights. But all that changed last year off the back of three games that have placed it center stage: NFL Rivals. FIFA Rivals. Pudgy Party. Yet the wild thing is that the latter two games haven’t even been released yet.
Which isn’t to say that Mythical Games is riding on hype alone. Rather, a combination of NFL Rivals’ phenomenal success and the expectation that it will repeat the feat for FIFA Rivals and Pudgy Party have gotten gamers all astir. As 2025 warms up, the expectation about what Mythical will do next is palpable. Few studios have generated as much anticipation for 2025 in web3 gaming as Mythical Games.
While it’s expanded its team over the last 12 months, Mythical is still a comparatively nimble startup of around 250, it’s worth noting. From a playing perspective, NFL Rivals is clearly the benchmark by which the studio is currently measured and likely will be for some time to come, regardless of how its next two big releases do.
When Mythical Games unveiled NFL Rivals, it marked a milestone in blockchain gaming: a fun, polished sports title backed by a major league. The game quickly gained traction, surpassing five million downloads – and eventually seven million – over two successful seasons. Soon after, Mythical revealed a partnership with FIFA to develop FIFA Rivals, bringing the global game of soccer into the fold. That synergy with top-tier sports leagues places Mythical in elite company, alongside EA, renowned for blockbuster franchises like FIFA and Madden.
It’s All About the Licensing
Given the deals it’s signed with the NFL, FIFA, and Pudgy Penguins, it’s clear that Mythical’s edge, versus other web3 studios, lies in licensing. The governing bodies of the world’s most popular team sports don’t endorse games with just anyone – particularly in a sector as untested as GameFi. While by no means the only web3 studio to have secured the rights to valuable IP, Mythical’s flawless delivery of NFL Rivals has cued it up nicely for more of the same in its soccer counterpart, expected mid-2025.
The success of NFL Rivals demonstrates Mythical’s ability to deliver a product that resonates with traditional sports fans while introducing them to web3 features. The game’s arcade-style play, coupled with limited-edition NFT player cards, has tapped into collector culture and fosters an active secondary market. Though NFL Rivals is a crypto-powered game, the blockchain elements remain optional, allowing gamers to engage purely for fun or dive deeper to trade and earn if they choose.
While not quite in the net, the odds of FIFA Rivals pulling similar numbers to the 7M-downloaded NFL Rivals are high. The global sport of soccer dwarfs even American football in terms of fan base, promising a massive influx of new players to the Mythical Games ecosystem. Mythical has hinted that gameplay will blend dynamic competition with NFT-based transfers, enabling fans to manage squads and collect iconic players.
Beyond Sports
Mythical’s ambitions stretch beyond the sports realm as exemplified by Pudgy Party. While sports-based franchises appeal to enthusiasts of major leagues, Pudgy Party caters to a different demographic, introducing blockchain elements to a casual audience. The Pudgy Penguins IP already enjoys a dedicated following, and Mythical aims to translate that enthusiasm into a user-friendly mobile game experience. Mythical’s also working on its own platform game, Blankos, which provides something much more cutesy than the fare it’s served to date.
There’s a significant burden of expectation on Mythical’s shoulders moving into 2025. While there are plenty of other studios and chains capable of flying the flag for web3 gaming, there’s now a lot of eyes focused on its every move – and the expectations couldn’t be higher.
If 2024 established Mythical Games as a serious contender in web3 gaming, 2025 could be the year it cements its position as a true market leader. From forging high-profile sports partnerships to exploring community-driven titles, Mythical has shown a range that few studios – web3 or otherwise – can match. If its 2025 playbook plays out as planned, 12 months from now it won’t just be a plucky contender – it’ll be a veritable heavyweight with a reach and reputation that extend far beyond blockchain gaming.
